本·克劳斯 — 演员 (35)
星际迷航 (2009) [电影] TMDB Min reol IMDb 豆瓣 维基数据
Star Trek
8.0 (659 个评分) 导演: J·J·艾布拉姆斯 演员: 克里斯·派恩 / 扎克瑞·昆图
其它标题: Star Trek / 星空奇遇记(港)
故事发生在的二十三世纪,人类的科技发展已经到达了可以星际旅行的地步。
2230年出生于瓦肯星的男孩史波克(扎克瑞·昆图 Zachary Quinto 饰),因为母亲阿曼达·格雷森(薇诺娜·赖德 Winona Ryder 饰)是人类,经常遭到同僚的嘲笑和欺负。父亲萨瑞克(本·克劳斯 Ben Cross 饰)是瓦肯星的一名外交官,史波克从小就不断地在严肃的瓦肯逻辑教育和他的人类情感之间挣扎。长大后的史波克遇到了同样怀着远大志向的柯克(克里斯·派恩 Chris Pine 饰),两人虽矛盾不断但通过种种任务考验逐渐开始互相理解。
企业号的老舰长是克里斯托弗·派克(布鲁斯·格林伍德 Bruce Greenwood 饰),舰员则包括医疗官“老骨头”麦考伊(卡尔·厄本 Karl Urban 饰)、总工程师史考特(西蒙·佩吉 Simon Pegg 饰)、通讯官乌瑚拉(佐伊·桑塔纳 Zoe Saldana 饰)、舵手苏鲁(约翰·周 John Cho 饰),以及17岁的领航员——天才少年契柯夫(安东·尤金 Anton Yelchin 饰)。而来自未来的老年史波克(伦纳德·尼莫伊 Leonard Nimoy 饰)因穿越时空,告诉了柯克未来罗慕伦帝国的残余势力尼诺(艾瑞克·巴纳 Eric Bana 饰)也已经回到现在,并率领大队人马进行复仇,尼诺摧毁了史波克的家乡瓦肯星,下一个目标便是地球……
本片荣获第82届奥斯卡最佳化妆奖。
【媒体评价】
30年来最令人兴奋的星际迷航电影,它标志着柯克船长新传奇的开始,如果接下来的续集敢于保持这一部的快节奏风格,必将成为未来几年最不可忽视的票房炸弹。——《帝国》
自《星际迷航2:可汗之怒》之后最棒的一部,在视听上的震撼也远远超过它的时代。——CinemaBlend.com
JJ·艾布拉姆斯成功地让一个正在被人遗忘的经典系列起死回生,尽管新的《星际迷航》没有它前辈的深遽,但依然可以凭借其无穷的活力感动观众。——Dark Horizons
影片令人振奋,不仅仅成就了该系列最为精彩的时刻,毫无疑问也是科幻电影史上浓墨重彩的一笔。——《The Australian》
遥远的桥 (1977) [电影] 豆瓣 维基数据 IMDb TMDB
A Bridge Too Far
8.3 (51 个评分) 导演: 理查德·阿滕伯勒 演员: Siem Vroom / Marlies van Alcmaer
其它标题: A Bridge Too Far / 夺桥遗恨
欧战尾声,盟军上下逐渐弥漫着乐观的情绪。为了提前结束战争,各地盟军将领认为只要一番猛攻,便可提早直捣柏林结束战争。于是轻率地将大批伞兵空投在德军营地背后,去攻占阿纳姆的那座横跨莱茵河的大桥。不料遭遇德军的顽强抵抗,盟军付出了伤亡惨重的代价。这场堪称二战中最具戏剧性的战役,终以盟军的惨痛失败而告终。
由奥斯卡金像奖得奖导演理查德·阿滕伯勒执导的战争巨片《遥远的桥》,根据科尼利厄斯·瑞恩的同名小说改编而成。影片表现和讴歌了盟军在二战中浴血奋战的斗争精神,被誉为电影史上的超级战争巨片。本片的明星阵容空前强大,聚集了诸如詹姆斯·卡恩、迈克尔·凯恩、肖恩·康纳利、罗伯特·雷德福、安东尼·霍普金斯等数国的数十位明星。本片荣获1978年第31届英国电影和电视艺术学院奖最佳摄影、最佳男配角、最佳原声等多项大奖与提名。
烈火战车 (1981) [电影] 豆瓣 维基数据 IMDb TMDB
Chariots of Fire
7.2 (76 个评分) 导演: 休·赫德森 演员: 本·克劳斯 / 奈杰尔·哈弗斯
其它标题: Chariots of Fire / 火战车
本片讲述了1924年英国两名奥运健将的故事。1919年,剑桥大学凯斯学院的开学礼上迎来一名叫亚伯拉罕(本·克劳斯 Ben Cross 饰)的犹太学生。他擅长跑步,参加剑桥的环校挑战赛后一战成名。然而犹太人的身份让他饱受种族偏见之苦,因此他一心想赢得奥运会百米赛跑的金牌, 以此来对抗种族偏见。另外一位短跑健将是来自苏格拉高地的艾利克里德(伊安·查里森 Ian Charleson 饰),他极具跑步天赋,而他本人是个虔诚的基督教徒,认为自己的天赋来自上帝,他是为上帝而跑。在1923年的全国性运动会上,两名青年狭路相逢,艾利克里德最终赢得冠军。亚伯拉罕则请来了职业教练指导自己,备战奥运。
1924年的巴黎奥运会来临,艾利克里德却得知百米资格赛在星期天举行,作为一名基督徒,他严格遵守着“安息日不得工作”的教义,最后他决定退出百米赛。另一方面,亚伯拉罕不仅要面对强大的美国名将,更要面对自己的内心。这枚奥运金牌,将花落谁家……
当尼采哭泣 (2007) [电影] 豆瓣
When Nietzsche Wept
6.5 (38 个评分) 导演: Pinchas Perry 演员: 贾米·埃曼 / 阿曼德·阿山特
其它标题: When Nietzsche Wept
本片改编自心理治疗畅销作家欧文‧亚隆的同名小说。
十九世纪末的维也纳,正逢四十不惑的医学大师布雷尔,突然接到一封意外的来信。寄信人竟然是社会名媛路·莎乐美(凯瑟琳·温妮克 Katheryn Winnick 饰)。虽然突然布雷尔犹豫过,但还是如约前往咖啡馆。莎乐美此番的目的是希望布雷尔能帮助她的亲密朋友——存在主义大师尼采,有一种刻苦铭心的“痛苦感”每天伴随着他。为了医治根本不愿接受治疗的尼采,布雷尔唯有假意装成需要尼采的帮助。整整一个月,布雷尔和尼采在不同的场所进行着深入的交谈。于是,一场一场不知谁是病人,谁是医生的心理治疗就此展开……
飓风奇劫 (2018) [电影] 豆瓣 维基数据 IMDb TMDB
The Hurricane Heist
5.0 (18 个评分) 导演: 罗伯·科恩 演员: 托比·凯贝尔 / 玛姬·格蕾斯
其它标题: The Hurricane Heist / 十级风劫(港)
影片讲述财务部女监察探员(格蕾斯饰)负责押运一批6亿美元残旧货币到碎钞厂处理,然而当地罕见的飓风灾难即将来临,一群全副武装的盗贼想在居民全部疏散后“乘风打劫”,而当飓风达到致命的5级之后,所有精心计划都被打乱,他们发现需要一个金库密码,而这个密码只有女监察探员知道,她和所被劫持人质的生命面临威胁,在和滞留当地气象学家(凯贝尔饰)结盟后,后者的弟弟也被盗贼绑架,两人不得不联袂面对飓风和匪徒,在历经惊险刺激后最终战胜了盗贼和飓风灾难。
土豆工厂 (2000) [剧集] 豆瓣
The Potato Factory
导演: Robert Marchand 演员: Ben Cross / Lisa McCune
艾克所罗门是伦敦东区著名的销赃贩子,靠买卖赃物为生,因其狡诈,总能逃脱法律的制裁。他和妻子的感情早已名存实亡。年轻美丽的玛丽克勒克因精通算盘,故称为玛丽算盘,她在伦敦西区的一富贵人家作女佣,因与小偷鲍勃关系暧昧,被主人解雇。她想找一份会计工作,虽然通过考试并被录用,但仇视的失业者们把失业的怒火撒在了玛丽身上。万般无奈之下,玛丽进了汉娜开的妓院。
本片是根据澳大利亚著名作家布莱斯.柯特奈在欧美地区最畅销的同名小说改编而成,通过讲述三个十九世纪初期的普通人:年轻而前途一片光明的玛丽,本性善良、热心却不得不从事骗人勾当的伊克和他粗俗的妻子韩恩的坎坷而带有悲剧色彩的一生,详尽而准确地刻划了当时有“犯罪中心”之称的伦敦混乱而动荡的社会环境及下层人民挣扎的生活,以史诗般的手法描述了英国将当时还被称为 “范.迪蒙斯的领地”的辽阔蛮荒的岛屿作为它最完美的罪犯收容地,而今它已成为一个美丽的国家,澳大利亚。
普通人 (2012) [电影] 豆瓣
A Common Man
导演: 钱德兰·鲁特南 演员: 本·金斯利 / 本·克劳斯
其它标题: A Common Man / 凯丹的道路
为蔚蓝大海所环绕的斯里兰卡,此前被恐怖袭击的阴影所笼罩。一如既往喧嚣繁华的闹市街头,面色阴郁狰狞的秃头男子文森·迪亚斯(本·金斯利 Ben Kingsley 饰)穿梭于熙熙攘攘的人群中。他最终来到一幢废弃的建筑,登上顶层后有条不紊地布置手头的工作。在与妻子通话后,他拨通另一通电话。电话的另一头是警察快速反应中心的副总监莫里斯•达席尔瓦,文森声称已在首都科伦坡安放了5枚炸弹,解除炸弹的条件只有一个,那就是释放四个在押的恐怖分子。副总监情知事态严重,但政府高官皆在国外参加重要会议,无暇他顾。万般无奈之下,副总监只得担任总指挥,吩咐手下追踪炸弹来源和文森的踪迹。
时间一分一秒地流逝,数以万计平民百姓的安危悬于一线……
插翅难飞 (1997) [电影] 豆瓣 IMDb 维基数据 TMDB
Turbulence
7.1 (7 个评分) 导演: 罗伯特·巴特勒 演员: 雷·利奥塔 / 罗伦·荷莉
其它标题: Turbulence / 危机任务
圣诞节前夕,空气中弥漫着节日的气息,“越州47”航班上,坐满了即将赶回家中同亲人们团聚的乘客,其中,有两个人显得是那样的格格不入,他们是穷凶极恶的罪犯史达斯(布莱丹·格里森 Brendan Gleeson 饰)和韦弗(雷·利奥塔Ray Liotta 饰),两人被四名警察押解着,前往洛杉矶。
最坏的情况发生了,史达斯袭击了警察,击毙了机长,一时间,飞机进入了无人驾驶的危险状态。就在这个节骨眼上,机智的空姐泰利(罗伦·荷莉 Lauren Holly 饰)果断出手,飞机重新回到了掌控之中,然而,真正危险的不仅仅是前方即将飞入的雷暴区,还有阴险狡诈,杀人如麻,对泰利垂涎已久的韦弗。
海底两万里 (1997) [电影] 豆瓣
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
6.9 (7 个评分) 导演: 迈克尔·安德逊 演员: Richard Crenna / Ben Cross
其它标题: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
In the 19th century, an expert marine biologist is hired by the government to determine what's sinking ships all over the ocean. His daughter follows him. They are intercepted by a mysterious captain Nemo and his incredible submarine.
邪夜收魂 (1988) [电影] 豆瓣
The Unholy
导演: Camilo Vila 演员: 本·克劳斯 / 哈尔·霍尔布鲁克
其它标题: The Unholy
总主教(哈尔霍布鲁克)指定年轻的麦可神父(班克罗斯)前往新教区驱除在那里作祟的恶魔,在到达圣安格斯教堂后不久,麦可神父便发现自己必须对抗的,是个专门趁人抵挡不住诱惑犯罪时趁机取人性命的女恶魔... 为了解救他的纽奥良教区信众脱离魔鬼的邪恶魔掌,麦可神父必须和这位超级性感的女魔鬼做一场生死对决,他能成功达成任务吗?
第一武士 (1995) [电影] 豆瓣 维基数据 IMDb TMDB
First Knight
5.4 (7 个评分) 导演: 杰瑞·扎克 演员: 肖恩·康纳利 / 理查·基尔
其它标题: First Knight / 剑侠风流
圆桌武士兰思洛一次在森林中意外营救了亚瑟王的未婚妻Guinevere,两人虽一见钟情,但碍于Guinevere早已是亚瑟王的未婚妻,所以只好无奈地将他婉拒。后来亚瑟王揭发了他们两人的恋情,在痛心之余,亚瑟王决定要公审他们,不过此时亚瑟王却受到敌人的大举入侵,全国人民束手无策,兰思洛见势立刻拔刀相助,拯救亚瑟王于危难中。
十二猴子 第四季 (2018) [剧集] 豆瓣
12 Monkeys Season 4 所属 电视剧集: 十二猴子
7.0 (8 个评分) 导演: 大卫·格罗斯曼 演员: 亚伦·斯坦福 / 阿曼达·舒尔
James Cole和Cassandra Railly将回到他们从未去过的时代完成最后的关键任务。根据传言,只有一件武器能彻底阻止「目击者」(现在Olivia取代了Athan的位置),这是他们唯一的希望。但是要想赢得这场战斗,拯救时间本身,他们必须做出终极牺牲。另一方面,Cole的母亲……可能会给他带来麻烦。
纸屋恶魔 (1988) [电影] IMDb 维基数据 TMDB o00o garage 豆瓣
Paperhouse
导演: 伯纳德·罗斯 演员: Charlotte Burke / Jane Bertish
其它标题: Paperhouse / 페이퍼하우스
安娜沉浸在自己孤独的个人世界,她能进入她自己绘制的房子内,在现实和虚幻中,安娜逐渐失去自我……安娜是迷失在自己的世界里的孤独的时候,她发现她可以访问另一家,她画了她和一个年轻的残疾男孩占领。但当她发现她更多的幻想世界和世俗之间存在的联系,她是只画出更深的梦…
战争之父汉尼拔 (2006) [电影] 豆瓣 IMDb 维基数据
Hannibal
导演: 爱德华·巴瑟杰特 演员: Alexander Siddig / Emilio Doorgasingh
其它标题: Hannibal / Hannibal - Der Albtraum Roms
汉尼拔·巴卡(Hannibal Barca,公元前247年—前182年),北非古国迦太基名将。年少时随父亲哈米尔卡·巴卡进军西班牙,终身与罗马为敌,在军事上有卓越表现。
第二次布匿战争期间,率领军队从西班牙翻越比利牛斯山和阿尔卑斯山进入意大利北部,在特拉比亚战役(公元前218年)、特拉西梅诺湖战役(公元前217 年)和坎尼战役(公元前216年)中击溃罗马人。坎尼战役之后,罗马人拒绝与汉尼拔发生正面冲突,并逐渐夺回意大利南部的要塞。公元前204年,罗马人在大西庇阿的率领下入侵迦太基本土,迫使汉尼拔回到非洲。公元前202年,大西庇阿于扎马战役击败汉尼拔。
战后,公元前196年汉尼拔成为迦太基的行政官,以帮助迦太基从战争的疮痍中恢复。公元前195年,罗马人迫使汉尼拔被驱逐。汉尼拔出走东方,流亡到塞琉西王国,直到公元前189年,罗马打败安条克,并要求引渡汉尼拔,汉尼拔逃到小亚细亚北部的比提尼亚王国。即使如此,罗马人仍然不放心汉尼拔,一直争取把他引渡到罗马受审,汉尼拔在公元前182年服毒自尽。
公元前6世纪末,在非洲北部有一个富强的奴隶制国家——迦太基,迦太基是罗马的敌对国家,两国连年交战。小汉尼拔就是在第一次“布匿战争”的战火中长大的。因罗马人称迦帮基人为布匿人,所以他们之间的战争被称为“布匿战争”。9岁时,父亲命令他跪在祭坛前发誓:长大成人后,一定要成为罗马誓不两立的仇人。汉尼拔牢牢记住了自己的誓言,汉尼拔在25岁时就成了迦太基驻西班牙部队的最高统帅。没多久,由于迦太基进攻罗马的西班牙同盟者——萨贡姆城,第二次布匿战争爆发。
罗马人本打算兵分两路:一条线路从西西里进攻迦太基本土;另一路条从西班牙登陆,以牵制汉尼拔的军队。可汉尼拔却出人意外地避开了罗马人的主力,冒着极大的危险,率领军队从小道翻越了人迹罕至的阿尔卑斯山,攻入意大利本土,给了罗马军队一个沉重的打击。罗马军队措手不及,作战计划全部被打乱,而得到高卢部落补给的迦太基士兵斗志昂扬,进入意大利后,一举打败了罗马部队,这一胜利使很多持观望态度的高卢部落投奔到汉尼拔的队伍中来,汉尼拔的军队进一步扩大。
公元前217年6月,汉尼拔采取迂回战术,在意大利中部的特拉西美诺湖畔设下埋伏,把罗马4个军团近3万人的队伍引进了三面环山、一面临湖的峡谷中,汉尼拔的军队用了不到3个小时时间就结束了战斗。罗马军队损失惨重,执政官战死,15000人阵亡,几千人被俘,仅剩6000人冲出重围,逃入附近的一个村庄。汉尼拔的士兵穷追不舍,在缴械留命的条件下罗马士兵全部投降了。汉尼拔区别对待俘虏,命令给罗马士兵全部戴上枷锁,立即释放了无罗马公民权的意大利人。这次胜利使得罗马人对汉尼拔十分恐惧,把他称为“罗马的噩梦”。
汉尼拔不仅是一名天才的军事家,同时也是一个出色的外交家。他注意利用罗马和意大利各同盟者之间的矛盾,孤立和削弱罗马。与此同时,他还与地中海沿岸的罗马邻国结成反罗马联盟。
公元前216年8月,着名的康奈城激战爆发。当时罗马军队有步兵8万,骑兵6千,而汉尼拔只有步兵4万,骑兵1万4千。这场战争中汉尼拔将指挥艺术发挥到了极致,通过精确的计算和完美的调度,他竟然用比敌人少一半的兵力包围了敌军。经过12小时的激战,罗马军大败,损失7万余人,而汉尼拔只损失不到6千人,创造了古代军事史上以少胜多的辉煌战例。
公元前216年8月,着名的康奈城激战爆发。当时罗马军队有步兵8万,骑兵6千,而汉尼拔只有步兵4万,骑兵1万4千。这场战争中汉尼拔将指挥艺术发挥到了极致,通过精确的计算和完美的调度,他竟然用比敌人少一半的兵力包围了敌军。经过12小时的激战,罗马军大败,损失7万余人,而汉尼拔只损失不到6千人,创造了古代军事史上以少胜多的辉煌战例。
威廉与凯特 (2011) [电影] 豆瓣
William & Kate
导演: Mark Rosman 演员: Camilla Luddington / Nico Evers-Swindell
其它标题: William & Kate / 麻雀变王妃:威廉与凯特(台)
该片描述的是英国王子威廉与其平民女友凯特的爱情故事。由于婚期临近,所有媒体都开始不遗余力地炒作这个堪比当年戴安娜的爱情童话,Lifetime自然也是如此。
来自中产阶级家庭的平民女孩Kate Middleton在圣安德鲁斯大学研习美术史时遇到了英国王位第二继承人威廉王子。两人一开始只是普通朋友,但很快产生了爱情。他们于2010年10月订婚,并将于今年4月29日举行盛大的王室婚礼。Lifetime原创电视电影《威廉与凯特》(William & Kate)再现了威廉王子与凯特在圣安德鲁斯大学学习期间由相识再到相爱的全过程。迫于王室和社会的压力,他们的爱情之路一共走了九年才功德圆满。
英国本土演员Camilla Luddington扮演凯特,Nico Evers-Swindell扮演威廉王子
巨人杀手杰克 (2013) [电影] 豆瓣
Jack The Giant Killer
导演: 马克·阿特金斯 演员: 本·克劳斯 / 珍·玛奇
其它标题: Jack The Giant Killer / 杰克与飞天城堡(台)
本片是专拍恶搞片的The Global Asylum出品,并不是尼古拉斯·霍尔特主演的《巨人捕手杰克 Jack the Giant Slayer》。
真实的“火战车” (2012) [电影] 豆瓣
The Real Chariots of Fire
演员: 奈杰尔·哈弗斯 / Trevor McDonald
其它标题: The Real Chariots of Fire
Actor Nigel Havers, who played Lord Andrew Lindsay, uncovers the true story behind the Oscar-winning movie Chariots of Fire. The film traced the story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, who both won gold medals at the 1924 Olympics in Paris. Nigel follows in their footsteps as he travels to Cambridge, Edinburgh and Paris to meet their daughters and uncover rare archive material. Celebrity fans including Sir Trevor McDonald, Louis Walsh, David Baddiel, Olympic medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and ex-rugby star Martin Offiah explain what the film means to them, and there are contributions from actors Ben Cross, who played Harold Abrahams, and Nicholas Farrell, who played Aubrey Montague. Producer David Puttnam and director Hugh Hudson also reveal the lasting legacy of the story that won four Oscars at the 1982 Academy Awards.
通缉英雄 (2008) [电影] 维基数据 IMDb 豆瓣 TMDB
Hero Wanted
其它标题: Hero Wanted / 鲁蛇特攻队(台)
廉姆·凯斯曾有过一段很悲惨的过去,如今他主要靠捡拾垃圾为生。某一天,在从车祸现场烧着的轿车中救出一个小女孩后,他初次体会到了当英雄的感觉,随后便陷入其中不能自拔。尤其当他爱上一个银行出纳员后,他决定再次重演一场英雄救美的戏。结果事情的进程却并未如他所料……
所罗门 (1997) [电影] 豆瓣
Solomon
导演: 罗杰·扬 演员: Ben Cross / Anouk Aimée
其它标题: Solomon
David, now an old man, is still king of Israel. Among his sons, the ambitious Adonijah and the clever Solomon. The two young men are fierce rivals, since both are prospective heirs to the throne and only one can be successful. During a hunting expedition, Adonijah challenges his younger brother Solomon to a chariot race. While Solomon, though brave, still retains a modicum of caution, the daredevil Adonijah is eager to win at all costs -- and loses control of his chariot. Solomon takes the seriously injured Adonijah back to Jerusalem. On the way there they meet the attractive Abishag, who despite her youth is versed in the use of healing herbs. She actually succeeds in helping the prince. Adonijah falls in love with Abishag -- but Bathsheba arranges things so that she works for David, hoping that her youth, her beauty and her healing powers will soothe the old king's suffering. Several members of the influential priesthood and also the respected army general Joab, who served David loyally for many years, support Adonijah's claim to the throne-- even though David has still not made any decision with regard to a potential successor. The battle-experienced Joab regards Solomon as an indecisive weakling, under whose leadership the kingdom would soon fall apart. When the prophet Nathan finds out about Adonijah's conspiracy he informs Bathsheba and Solomon, who urge David to take immediate action. And so it comes to pass that preparations to anoint the future king of Israel are made both at the Spring of Enrogel, where Adonijah and his men are encamped, as well as in Jerusalem. The festive procession for Adonijah has already been assembled and the people enticed with delicious delicacies to cheer him on, when the news of Solomon's coronation reaches Enrogel. The people promptly acknowledge the will of King David and stream off to Jerusalem in their hordes to greet Solomon, their future ruler. Adonijah remains behind with a handful of loyal followers. He realizes that he has lost -- for the time being. Humbly he places his life in his brother's hands. Adonijah is forgiven on one condition: that he always remains loyal to his brother Solomon. The great King David is dead, and his son Solomon has succeeded him as the rightful ruler of Israel. Adonijah now has a request to make of Bathsheba: he wants to marry Abishag. Solomon hears about this seemingly innocent wish, and recognizes it as a renewed ploy on behalf of his brother to reclaim the throne -- Adonijah's marriage to the last woman to share King David's bed would strengthen his political position considerably. Solomon knows that he has to act quickly and decisively if he is to secure his own power. He has his brother Adonijah and the latter's closest associate Joab executed. After this radical decision, Solomon withdraws to present sacrifices. In a dream the Lord appears to him and grants him the fulfillment of a wish, whatever it may be. Solomon merely asks for wisdom -- in order to become a good ruler and judge. War with Egypt is looming. To arm his kingdom against the territorial ambitions of its powerful neighbors, Solomon not only introduces several reforms but also decides to marry the daughter of the pharaoh. The Egyptian princess does not remain Solomon's only wife, however: as time goes by the king marries numerous noble women from many different countries for political and economic reasons. In this way he preserves peace for his people, and creates great prosperity. By allowing the women to continue practicing their domestic customs and religious rituals in Jerusalem as well, he comes into regular conflict with the priesthood, who see the foreign religions as endangering Israel's sole covenant with the Lord. The wisdom granted to Solomon by God becomes fully evident when the king sits in judgment. One day two harlots each claim to be mother of the same baby. Solomon's decision seems utterly cruel: he says that the child should be cut in two so that each woman receives half. Solomon can now determine who the real mother is from her reaction: she will not allow her child to be harmed. Solomon hands the child back to its true mother amid cheers of approval. One of the most important tasks handed down to Solomon by his father David is building the great Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. It has to be larger and more magnificent than all other temples in the world, and Solomon now sets about fulfilling his father's wish. He places Jeroboam in charge of the Israelite workers as chief overseer. Seven years later, the work is completed. The expensive construction materials have been brought from far-off lands, and the people of Israel have paid exceedingly high taxes without complaint in order to finance the construction work. The Ark of the Covenant can now finally be taken to the Temple in a triumphant procession. After so many years of wandering, the Israelites' most sacred possession now has a fixed home of its own. People stream to Jerusalem from across the entire country to celebrate the great day. Abishag, now married, comes too and brings her family. Solomon has decided to mingle among the people in disguise, and he and Abishag are overjoyed when they accidentally meet again after so many years. The Temple makes Jerusalem and its king famous throughout the world. Even the dark-skinned Queen of Sheba sets off with a large retinue to visit the wise and cultivated Solomon and admire his magnificent city. The admiration turns out to be mutual: Solomon, captivated by her beauty, falls deeply in love with her. The two of them have a child, Menelik, but one day the Queen of Sheba decides to leave. She does not want Menelik to be deprived of the regal dignity awaiting him in his home country. Solomon stays behind, with a heavy heart. The king has now achieved everything he set his heart on, but with the passing of the years the wise Solomon gradually becomes a melancholy, skeptical old man who regularly questions his very existence. Material things seem to represent the only reality for him. He also refuses to adopt any kind of steady policy, especially in religious matters. With his foreign wives, Solomon sacrifices to foreign gods, and this incurs the wrath of the priesthood. The loyal Jeroboam appeals to his king's conscience, but to no avail. During one of Solomon's sorties in disguise among his people, a simple farmer reminds him of the first of the Ten Commandments revealed by the Lord to Moses: "You shall have no other gods before me." At another decisive moment, God Himself speaks to Solomon and announces the punishment for his sinfulness: the kingdom will collapse after Solomon's death. The king has grown old and weary. He has lost touch with the people of Israel, who are suffering from heavy taxation and forced labor. Solomon has treated his long-standing companion Jeroboam, to whom he entrusted the administration of the northern tribes, with murderous anger ever since a prophet predicted the division of the kingdom to him. The king no longer has the strength to change things -- he just leaves them as they are. The consequences of this become clear shortly after his death. Solomon's son and successor Rehoboam treats the country's leaders with arrogance, and provokes the division of the kingdom into two parts: the only tribe still loyal to him is that of Judah, while all the others unite under Jeroboam. The prophecy has been fulfilled. The kingdom that Solomon received from his father David, and invested with such might and magnificence, is now divided.