Greatest Heroes & Legends Of The Bible: Samson & Delilah | Full Animated Movie | Family Central

(dramatic orchestral music) - Hello. I'm Charlton Heston. The story you're about to hear is one of the most engaging tales in the Old Testament.

It's a story of love and betrayal, failure and triumph and ultimately a reminder that all men, no matter how great, can be brought down by their own flaws. I'm talking about the story of Samson and Delilah. Like many other heroes of the Bible, Samson had a clear destiny.

Even before he was born, an angel appeared to his mother and told her that Samson would become a man of great strength and would play an important role in freeing the Israelites from their long-time enemies, that people called the Philistines. But the angel issued a strange warning. Samson's hair would be the source of his strength, and therefore it should never be cut.

As Samson grows into manhood, he becomes an object of admiration, and not only among his own people but among the Philistine women. Eventually he falls in love with one of those women, but it's an ill-fated romance. Believing that he's been betrayed by his beloved, he storms off in anger and when he returns to apologize, it's too late.

She's married someone else. In a fit of rage, Samson takes vengeance on the entire Philistine population by burning their crops. Now there's no turning back.

The fragile peace that had existed between the Israelites and the Philistines had been shattered. When the Philistines learned that Samson was responsible for the devastation, they plot to capture him and they managed to do so. Samson's brought to them bound and roped but that's a trick.

There are no bonds that can hold Samson. At the first opportunity, he bursts free, picks up a club and begins to fight. By the end of the battle, he's killed a thousand soldiers.

It's a stunning victory. But the Philistines are not about to surrender. They'll bide their time until they can find a way to kill Samson.

The perfect opportunity arises when Samson falls in love with a woman named Delilah. Sensing that she can be bought off, the Philistines tell her that they'll pay her dearly if she can uncover the secret of Samson's strength and reveal it to them. She readily agrees to try, and after three failed attempts, she's successful.

"If you cut off my hair," Samson says, "I would become as weak as any man. " Later that night, when Samson falls asleep, Delilah informs the Philistines of her discovery and they promptly shaved his head. When he wakes, he's indeed as weak as any man.

He's taken prisoner and as an added punishment, his eyes are put out. But the story doesn't end there. Samson's given one last chance for revenge and he takes it, even though he must die in the process.

I won't tell you the rest of the story, it'd spoil the ending. If you don't know it already, you'll just have to wait and see how the story turns out. I've asked my good friend, Simon, to be your guide as you journey back to the time of this great, biblical hero.

But now, it's time for me to bid you farewell. I'll see you again next time. Until then, peace be with you.

(peaceful orchestral music) (kids shouting) - You're it! - No way, hey, come back here! - I'm gonna get you!

Stop it, stop it! - In the late 13th century BC, the Philistines conquered Canaan and forced the Israelites to live as a scattered nation in the mountainous regions. Here in Zorah, a city of the Israelite Tribe of Dan, lived a simple shepherd named Manoah.

- Run! (kids shouting) Run! (pants heavily) (kids shouting) (dramatic music) - Stop it, stop it!

(kids shout loudly) - Run! Run to your homes, children! The Philistines are coming!

Run! (suspenseful music) The Philistines are here to collect food! - Why won't the Lord answer our prayers for a child?

- Didn't you hear me? The Philistines are coming! (menacing music) (horses neigh) - I know what day it is.

The ration basket is ready. - I will never understand how you handle the Philistines so calmly. (birds chirping) (melancholy music) - Do you think it's something we've done?

- Perhaps the Lord doesn't want us to raise a child. (menacing music) (pot breaking) (woman screams) - [Soldier] Where are your rations? (birds chirping) (peaceful music) (loud whoosh) (dramatic music) - Who's there?

Who are you? - The Lord, your God, has chosen you to bear a child who will begin Israel's freedom from the Philistines. While pregnant, you must follow these rules.

Do not eat or drink from the fruit of the vine. Do not eat any unclean foods. Your son will be a Nazarite, a child chosen by God.

No one should ever cut his hair, the source of his strength. - But-- - Follow the rules set forth by God, and you will have a son. (loud whoosh) - [Simon] Manoah prayed for the angel to return and teach them how to raise their child.

(loud whoosh) And the angel did return to reaffirm the Lord's promise. (thunder crashes) (loud whoosh) Manoah's wife followed the Lord's orders. And she gave birth to a son.

(baby whimpers) - He's the biggest baby I've ever seen! (baby coos) (loud crunch) Ow! What a grip!

(mother laughs) - Quit kidding. What shall we name him? - Let's call him Samson!

- Samson. Blessed by God. (birds chirping) (sheep bleat) - [Simon] Manoah and his wife soon learned that Samson wasn't like the other boys.

(upbeat music) ♪ One day in the city of Zorah ♪ ♪ An angel came to Manoah's wife ♪ ♪ God has chosen to give you a son ♪ ♪ And he will be a true Nazarite ♪ ♪ He'll stand up against the Philistines ♪ ♪ He'll be great and honored everywhere ♪ ♪ Do what God says, spoke the angel man ♪ ♪ And by the way, don't ever cut his hair ♪ (birds chirping) (playful twang) (melancholy music) As Samson grew older, he became well known in Canaan for his great strength. He was especially popular with young women. (girls giggle) - C'mon, Samson, take a turn!

- But the beautiful ladies here in Timnah want to see you do it, right? - [Ladies] Yes! - I can't, it's full of water.

- [Ladies] Aww! - Everyone knows you're the strongest man in all of Canaan! (laughter) - [Lady] I bet he can't lift the pot.

(men talk at the same time) - [Man] I bet Samson can lift you and the pot together! - You're on! I hope you're as strong as you look.

- Hold on. - [Group] Oh! (Samson grunts loudly) (dramatic music) - You are the strongest man in Canaan!

- And you are the prettiest woman! Mother, Father, I found the woman I wish to marry. In Timnah.

- In Timnah? You mean you want to marry a Philistine girl? - Oh, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!

I want you to go to Timnah to arrange for our marriage. - Oh, Samson! Can't you find a nice Jewish girl here in Zorah?

- But, Mother! (Mother sobs) - (sighs) This is completely unacceptable. You can't marry a Philistine!

(Mother sobs loudly) Oh, now look, you've made your mother cry! - Oh, Mother. You know I don't mean to upset you.

- Then why, Samson? Why a Philistine? - Because until today, I've never seen a woman as lovely as you.

Please, I'm sure you and Father will like her. I'm going to go to Timnah today. (sighs) I hope you will, too.

(melancholy music) - Oh, what do we do, Manoah? I just don't understand him sometimes. (birds squawk) (dramatic music) (crickets chirp) (suspenseful music) (soft rustling) (loud roar) (menacing music) - Be good, kitty, be good!

(menacing music) (loud roar) (loud grunting) (loud growls) (loud roar) (dreamlike twinkling) (loud grunting) (thrilling music) (loud roar) Good. I said to be good. (grunts) (loud crash) (dreamlike twinkling) Talk about the power of the Lord!

I must keep this to myself. (melancholy music) (water splashes softly) - [Lady] Why won't you tell me what happened anyway? - Ow!

That stings! - Sorry. For such a strong man, you're behaving more like a baby!

- Nothing. Not even wild beasts could stop me from seeing you again. - I didn't think you'd return.

After all, I'm a Philistine and you're an Israelite. - If it were up to my parents, I wouldn't have. But I persisted.

(faint laughter) - Well, I think it's safe to say they approve now! (faint laughter) Good as new. - Pretty good!

Let's test it out. - What are you doing? It took 10 men to lift each one into place!

(dramatic music) - (grunts) Doubting me again? (birds chirping) (loud whooshing) (faint clapping) - Look, a Danite clown! (loud thuds) (playful twang) (birds chirping) - Samson, you don't want to upset my father before we are married, do you?

- Of course not, Shera. - You, marry him? He's an Israelite!

He's beneath you, Shera! There's no way your father will allow it! - It's already arranged, Ceric.

- But, Shera! - Two years for your proposal. I couldn't wait forever.

- Your father will never approve! You'll see! - She said he already has!

Good day, soldier! Here. (loud grunt) (loud crash) (playful music) (birds chirping) (playful whistle) (loud crash) (birds chirping) - (growls) One day, I'm gonna get him!

(peaceful music) (crickets chirping) - [Simon] On his way home to Zorah, Samson stopped to check on his conquest. (peaceful music) There, he received a gift. (faint buzzing) - Hmm, look at that!

Honey! - [Simon] Even though he held an entire beehive in his hand, not one bee stung him! Samson didn't tell his parents what had happened.

(people chattering) (upbeat music) - Samson, in the Philistine tradition, I present you with your 30 escorts for the seven days of the wedding fest! (people cheer loudly) To Samson! May you endure the next seven days and be married to my daughter, Shera.

(people cheer loudly) (people laugh loudly) - Thank you. I'm honored to have you as my escorts. If it's not in violation of your traditions, I would like to propose an activity.

- Tell us, we're at your service! - Are you Philistines up to a good challenge? - We're the most powerful people in Canaan!

Why shouldn't we be? - Good! I bet each of you one fine linen robe and one work robe that you can't solve my riddle.

(men laugh) - An Israelite's riddle? What's the challenge in that? Where is a poor Danite going to get 30 sets of clothes and 30 (chuckles) fine linen robes?

- Don't worry about me. - [Man] Let's hear the riddle. 30 of us would surely be able to figure it out.

- Here it is. Out of the eater, something to eat. Out of the strong, something sweet.

(men murmur) - What kind of riddle is that? We can't possibly answer it. - (laughs) You have seven days!

That's the deal. (birds chirping) (peaceful music) - [Simon] On the fourth day of the festivities, Samson's escorts secretly visited Shera. (loud knocking) - Who's there?

Is that you, Samson? - It's not Samson. - What do you want?

- You know exactly what we want. - No. No, I don't.

- As you know, we made a little wager with your Danite husband. - Yes, (chuckles) it's fun. - Fun?

There's a lot at stake here! It's been four days and we still have no chance of solving his silly riddle! We want the answer!

- I don't know it. - Well, get it! (menacing music) - Shera, you see, the problem is, no one wants to pay the Danite.

So you've got to find a way to get the answer. You've got to help your old friends. - You'd better do what he says.

No Danite is going to ruin us, trust me! - But-- - I didn't want it to come to this, Shera. But if you don't get us the answer, we'll burn down your house with you and your father in it!

Don't think we won't do it. Do I make myself clear? (sobs shakily) Good!

(chuckles) You have three days. (melancholy music) - [Samson] Shera! Why do you look so sad?

- Samson, do you trust me? - (chuckles) Of course! - Do you love me?

- How could you even ask that, Shera? - Because you gave my people a riddle and you haven't told me the answer. How am I supposed to believe you love me if you don't even trust me with the answer?

- You must believe me! Of course I love you! - Then entrust me with your secret.

- I can't. I just can't. I haven't even told my mother or father.

- You don't love me! (sobs) - For three days, Shera pleaded with Samson to tell her the answer to the riddle and finally, he could stand her tears no longer. - Oh, Samson, you do love me!

You do trust me! - Of course, I trust you. It's the escorts I don't trust.

They could have pressured you for the answer. - I would never have told. - Remember when I came to court you and I had these scratches?

- Yes? - On my way from Zorah, I killed a lion with my bare hands. - These?

- It's true. Then on my way home, in the lion's mouth, I found the sweet honey of bees. Do you think you have the answer?

- Samson killed a lion with his bare hands and then later he looked in the lion's mouth and there was this beehive full of honey. (people chatter) (loud clatter) - Gentlemen, I believe the time has come to settle a score. (laughs) - Do not be so quick to declare victory, Samson.

- Why? No one knows the answer. - [Ceric] It isn't sunset yet.

- (grunts) Fine. I can wait for a few more minutes. (birds chirping) (peaceful music) - What is sweeter than honey?

What is stronger than a lion? (people laugh) (menacing music) - What? - You heard me!

We solved the riddle! You owe us 30 sets of clothes and 30 linen robes. (laughs) (menacing music) (men laugh) - Samson!

- If you had not coerced my wife, you would have never answered my riddle! - Samson, please! - Stay away from me!

You betrayed me! I should break you in half! (sobs) - You've lost the wager, Samson!

Are you a man of honor or a welcher? - I wear a large! - I like red!

- Don't worry, I will honor the bet, even though you cheated me. - Samson! (playful twang) (crickets chirping) (soft whistling) (menacing music) (man screams) - [Simon] History with the oppressors of Israel's children.

Just as the angel of God predicted. (gasps loudly) - There are your clothes. Now, I'm done with you.

All of you! (men laugh loudly) (rooster crows) (birds chirping) - Samson. - You can't lie around like this forever.

We told you it wasn't right to marry a Philistine. - [Samson] But I still want her for my wife. - There are lots of nice girls!

- I don't want any other girls. - If you want Shera so badly, go back to Timnah and apologize to her! Maybe she didn't give them the answer.

(sheep bleats) - Shera! - Samson, what are you doing here? - I've come to apologize and see my wife.

- Well. . .

I can't permit that, Samson. See, Shera is married to someone else! - What?

She's my wife! - No! Not technically!

You ran off before the ceremony was complete! You said you hated her! What was I to do?

(menacing music) You can marry my younger daughter. She's far prettier than Shera. Please, take her!

- I don't want her! You, you Philistine! You'll pay!

You'll all pay for this! (peaceful music) (faint barking) (fox pants heavily) (fox whimpers) (loud barking) (loud growling) You Philistines have taken advantage of my people for far too long! (loud barking) (loud whimpering) ♪ Growing strong and your hair is growing longer ♪ ♪ Men may fear you everywhere ♪ ♪ And you just keep getting stronger ♪ ♪ You're stronger than the lion you slew ♪ ♪ And you're sweeter than the honey from the bees ♪ ♪ Your strength will bring the walls crumbling down ♪ ♪ And the Philistines to their knees ♪ (foxes bark loudly) (fire crackles) (loud blazing) (fire crackles) (thrilling music) (loud blaze) This will teach you to never cheat me again!

(people chatter nervously) - Impossible! One man can't be responsible for this! - If you saw Samson, sir, you'd believe it.

- Why? He must know his people will pay for this! - On Samson's wedding night, a man from Timnah gave his daughter, Samson's bride, to another man!

- Burn his house down! Make sure he and his daughter are home! (suspenseful music) - This is your answer?

Do you think this is going to stop me? I won't stop until I get my revenge on you Philistines! ♪ When they killed Shera he avenged her death ♪ ♪ He killed more than a thousand Philistines ♪ ♪ She may have deceived me but nobody kills ♪ ♪ He said he woman I intend to be mine ♪ (man screams) - In Philistine, Samson became a wanted man.

(men chatter angrily) - We have come for Samson. Don't attempt to stop us. - We don't want trouble.

Please, we know where he is. We will bring him to you! - You have 24 hours!

And we want him alive. (peaceful music) (men shout loudly) - What is it you want? - Samson, we have you turn you over to the Philistines or they'll attack our city.

- I'll go quietly if you promise not to kill me. - Of course we won't kill you. You're a hero to the Israelites!

But we must tie you up and hand you over to them. (soldiers shout angrily) (dramatic music) - Go back to the others. I don't want you to get hurt if there's any trouble.

- God bless you, Samson. - I have a bad feeling about this. - What's your worry?

He's bound, look at him! (suspenseful military music) (loud whoosh) No! (loud snapping) No!

- Oh! - Don't run! He can't defend himself against an entire army!

Get him! (soldiers shout angrily) (loud crashing) (loud thuds) (thunder crashes) (dreamlike twinkling) - Lord, (sighs) You have given me the strength to kill 1,000 Philistines. Now, are You going to let me die of thirst and fall into the hands of our enemy?

(thunder crashes) (loud cracking) (water splashes loudly) - [Simon] For his extraordinary efforts against the Philistines, Samson was anointed leader over Israel. But even though he was a leader for the next 20 years, he still took time to seek out pleasure with the women and the Philistines knew this. (men mutter angrily) - Sir, Samson is here in Gaza with a woman of the night just as we suspected.

- Very good! Lock the city gates. We'll arrest him in the morning.

- Stay until morning? Not tonight. (suspenseful music) (loud rattling) (grunting) (loud creaking) (loud whoosh) - One day, Samson went into the Philistine valley of Sorek where he met a woman.

(thrilling music) - Give me my money back! Stop, thief! Stop!

(loud crash) (playful twang) (birds chirping) My money? You worm! Just try and steal money again!

Thank you! This is everything I have! - My pleasure.

I've never seen a woman so determined. Steal from her again and I'll kill you! (loud shout) - Wow!

You are strong! - Nearly as strong as you are strong-willed. What's your name?

- I'm Delilah. - [Samson] I'm Samson. - You're a lifesaver!

Is there anything I can do to repay for your kindness? - How about dinner? - (laughs) I'm not much of a cook.

But if you're willing to risk your life, okay, you're on! ♪ Yes, Samson got stronger than any known man ♪ - I would love to be the one to slay that beast. - It would take something more than cunning to topple him.

♪ He trusted too much and turned to mush ♪ ♪ If a woman even thought about a smile ♪ ♪ And so even after 20 long years ♪ ♪ Of fighting the crew of Philistines ♪ ♪ When he cast his eyes on the fair Delilah ♪ ♪ He said, Sam that woman is fa, fa, fine ♪ - I just had an idea! I think we're going to have our revenge! ♪ Now Delilah, she was offered some gold ♪ ♪ By the Philistines who wanted Samson ♪ If you love your country, you'll do it!

He's killed more than a thousand Philistines! - But he saved my life. - All you have to do is find out what'll make him weak.

Think of the reward. - Alright, I'll help. But only if you promise not to hurt him and to let him go if you're wrong.

- You're doing the right thing, Delilah. You'll be a hero. - [Simon] Samson quickly fell in love with Delilah.

But Delilah had other things on her mind. - Samson, honey. - Yes?

- What if I wanted to make you weaker than me? - I thought you liked me strong. - Oh, I do, I do!

- Then why would you wanna make me weaker than you? - I don't know! (chuckles) Just for fun, I guess.

(loud thuds) - Tie my wrists with bow strings and I'll become as weak as any man. (loud snoring) (peaceful music) - Samson! The Philistines are upon you!

(loud snap) - Uh-oh. Oh, um, no, no, no! (loud crash) - You've made me look like a fool.

- I don't see how. - You don't see how? Those bow strings didn't bind you a bit!

Neither did the new ropes. You've purposely deceived me. - So?

I was just having fun with the woman I love. - If you really loved me, you'd trust me with the secret to your strength. - What's that got to do with love?

- Everyone knows how strong you are. But I wanna be the only one who knows your weakness. - (chuckles) You're my weakness, Delilah.

- You know what I mean! I wanna know your secret! - Okay.

(sighs) If it really means that much to you. (loud snoring) (crickets chirping) - Samson! The Philistines are upon you!

(men grunt angrily) (Delilah screams) - Delilah, I'm very disappointed. I thought you were going to use your (scoffs) womanly powers of persuasion to get what we want from Samson! - I'm sorry, my lord.

It's hard. It's not like I don't like him. - Samson is a hero to the Israelites!

He's Philistine's' greatest threat! You committed to helping us capture him! Your people are depending on you!

- I'll try again tonight. - Good. You see, we'd hate to have to threaten you.

(crickets chirping) - Samson, do you love me more than anyone in the whole world? - Yes, more than anyone. - [Delilah] Do you promise to always tell me the truth?

- Yes. - Prove it to me. Tell me what is the secret to your strength.

- (laughs) I drink a lot of milk. Ow! - [Delilah] You know what I mean!

- (sighs) If it's that important, I'll tell you the truth. If you-- - Shh, in a moment. Let me look at you a little longer.

(melancholy music) - I'm falling asleep. Shall I tell you? - Please.

- If you cut off my hair, I would become as weak as any man. - These beautiful locks. That's your big secret?

Shave your head and you will be weak? ♪ He fell fast asleep with his head in her lap ♪ ♪ Like a child without a care ♪ ♪ But when he passed out, Delilah made her shout ♪ ♪ Come on in, boys ♪ ♪ And get rid of his hair ♪ Oh, dear Samson. Will you ever forgive me?

- You'll have to move your hand. (suspenseful music) - I can't watch. (sobs) (birds chirping) (suspenseful music) - I've been waiting years for this moment.

Wake him. - (sighs) Samson! The Philistines are upon you!

(grunts loudly) (suspenseful music) Samson! I had to tell them. I'm so sorry!

(sobs) - Stop your crying! You're a very rich woman! It took 20 years but you're finally mine!

- I should have known this was one of your schemes, Ceric! - Don't speak unless spoken to, prisoner! What shall we do with him?

(loud thud) - I'll have my revenge! My Lord will see to it! - You know what I think?

Your God has abandoned you! - Never! - Shut this monster up, now!

(men laugh evilly) (shout turns muffled) (loud clanking) - We are going to parade the once mighty Samson for all of Philistine to see! I don't want him to ever see a beautiful woman again! Gouge out his eyes!

(Samson screams) - No! (men laugh evilly) - Take him away! You're a hero today, Delilah!

You've served your country well! Here's your reward. (Delilah sobs) - I don't want your blood money!

(loud thud) (coins tinkle) (Delilah sobs) ♪ Delilah took the gold and the soldiers took his locks ♪ ♪ Snipped his braids and his strength was zapped ♪ ♪ They locked him and kicked him and gouged out his eyes ♪ ♪ And then in chains he was wrapped and clapped ♪ - [Soldier] You're not so mighty now, Samson! He's just a big oaf! (men laugh evilly) (loud grunts) - Lord, I know I strayed.

But please restore my strength so I can right myself and bring glory to Your people, the Israelites. (loud grunt) (loud crash) (water gushes) (peaceful music) (faint slurping) - [Simon] Samson's strength slowly came back. But he concealed it from the guards.

(men mutter) - On your feet! There's a party at the temple and you're the guest of honor! (chains clank) (dramatic music) (grand orchestral music) - Dagon, our god!

You've delivered Samson, our greatest enemy, to us! Now, we give him to you as an offering of our reverence! To Dagon!

- [Crowd] Dagon! Dagon! Dagon!

Dagon! (crowd cheers loudly) - Delilah, your heroic act made this great day possible, - If I had known you'd torture and humiliate him, I never would've done it. - Oh, come now, Delilah.

You've accomplished something that over a thousand armed men couldn't! Enjoy the moment! It's yours.

(birds chirping) (loud thud) (grunts) - Sir, is this the main temple? - Yes, it is. - Then could you guide me to the main pillars so I, I can lean up against them to rest.

(birds chirping) (claps) - (laughs) Look! The mighty one is tired! (laughs maniacally) - You could at least uncuff him.

He no longer poses any threat. - Uncuff the guest of honor! (laughs) - Please, my God.

Give me strength. - What are you mumbling about? (loud clank) - Lord!

Let me die with the Philistines! (loud whoosh) (dreamlike twinkling) (thunder crashes) (loud crash) (men shout) - His strength, his hair! Stop him!

Cut the hair! (woman screams) (loud crash) (loud explosions) - This way! - No, this way!

(loud explosions) (loud screaming) (loud crash) - Samson died a heroic death in which he killed more Philistines than he had slain during his lifetime.