One Night With The King parents guide

One Night With The King Parent Guide

Overall B+

Is the course of a person's life governed by chance or destiny? That is the question poised in this embellished recounting of the Biblical story of Esther. Despite ample artistic license, some mild sensuality and moderate violence, One Night With The King still conveys much of the faith and courage for which this historic heroine is remembered.

Release date October 12, 2006

Violence C+
Sexual Content B+
Profanity A
Substance Use A-

Why is One Night With The King rated PG? The MPAA rated One Night With The King PG for violence, some sensuality and thematic elements.

Parent Movie Review

Is the course of a person’s life governed by chance or destiny? That is the question poised in the movie One Night With the King, an embellished recounting of the Biblical story of Esther.

Political tensions grow in the Persian Empire as King Xerxes (Luke Goss) weighs the cost of beginning a war with the Greeks, teeter tottering between the opposing council given from his two closest advisors, Prince Admantha (John Noble) and Prince Memucan (Omar Sharif). Accused by his subjects of being an indecisive leader, and publicly embarrassed when his wife Vashti (Jyoti Dogra) defies his orders, the monarch quickly quiets both issues by banishing the insubordinate woman. Then, to impress his might and power upon the whole kingdom, the ruler decrees a gathering of all the beautiful, eligible maidens within his realm, so he can choose a replacement to share his throne.

Caught in the scope of this royal edict is a young Jew named Hadassah (Tiffany Dupont). Warned by her guardian Mordecai (John Rhys-Davies), who works as a scribe at the palace, of the possible dangers of having their cultural and religious identity known, the pretty peasant calls herself Esther when she is forcibly taken by the King’s soldiers.

But the quest for a new queen is not the only thing afoot at the castle. In dark halls and quiet corners treasonous plots are being discussed in whispered tones. And it is not just the regal ruler who needs fear assassination. It is also the Jews living within the Empire’s boarders, because of the cunning plans of Haman (James Callis). An up-and-comer in the royal court, he secretly harbors an ancient blood feud against the descendants of Israel.

Those familiar with the Old Testament account will know the fate of Esther and the pivotal position she finds herself in as these conspiracies unfold. While this telling of her tale provides more intrigue and romance than the original text, the filmmakers do try to keep the dramatization family friendly. The depiction of bloodied corpses on the battlefield, some implied murders, brief sensuality and eunuchs that mention the loss of their manhood (no details are discussed) may be content concerns for young viewers. Despite this and the ample application of artistic license, One Night With The King still conveys much of the faith and courage of this historic heroine. Whether by accident or design, she chooses her course of action with the brave words: “If I perish…I perish.”

Theatrical release October 12, 2006. Updated

One Night With The King
Rating & Content Info

Why is One Night With The King rated PG? One Night With The King is rated PG by the MPAA for violence, some sensuality and thematic elements.

This retelling of the Biblical story of Esther contains depictions of bloodied corpses scattered on the battlefield, the implied murder of several characters and plots of treason, assassination, poisonings, and racial annihilation. As a result of religious persecution, a child’s parents are killed (not shown) and a man is hit in the face. A male character is captured and then made a eunuch and slave. Another man who has suffered a similar fate mentions the loss of his manhood (no details are given). Passionate kisses, implied sexual relations and some sensual costumes constitute the sexual content of the film.

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One Night With The King Parents' Guide

Why does Mordecia suggest to Esther that she may have been born "for such a time as this?" Do you believe people have a mission to fulfill, or a greater purpose to accomplish during their lives?

Prince Memucan asks King Xerxes why he "thirsts for war" when he can "drink so deeply of peace?" What is it that tempts the monarch to go to battle? Are there ever times when your thirst for something comes at the expense of drinking deeply of what you already have?

You can find the full account of Esther in the Bible. To learn more about the Jewish holiday of Purim, check out this site: http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday9.htm

Home Video

The most recent home video release of One Night With The King movie is January 29, 2007. Here are some details…

DVD Release Date: 30 January 2007

One Night with the King comes to DVD without any bonus adornments. The movie is presented in anamorphic widescreen. Audio tracks are available in English (5.1 Dolby Surround Sound), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

Fiddler on the Roof tells of religious persecution faced by the Jews in a more modern era. Another biblical story that has been made into a movie is The Ten Commandments. Actors John Rhys-Davies and John Noble have worked together before in The Lord Of The Rings series. You can see them both in The Two Towers and The Return of the King.