The Shepherd King

As with many historical films produced by Hollywood studios in the 1920s, including Edwards's earlier Nero (1922), an Italian crew was used; actor Henry Armetta accompanied the production as an interpreter.

As with many historical films produced by Hollywood studios in the 1920s, including Edwards's earlier Nero (1922), an Italian crew was used; actor Henry Armetta accompanied the production as an interpreter.

As with many historical films produced by Hollywood studios in the 1920s, including Edwards's earlier Nero (1922), an Italian crew was used; actor Henry Armetta accompanied the production as an interpreter.

Some scenes were filmed in Rome; Saul's palace was a constructed set, built with the assistance of the Capitoline and Vatican Museums.

Some scenes were filmed in Rome; Saul's palace was a constructed set, built with the assistance of the Capitoline and Vatican Museums.

Some scenes were filmed in Rome; Saul's palace was a constructed set, built with the assistance of the Capitoline and Vatican Museums.

Most exterior scenes, however, were filmed on location in Mandatory Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan, including staging in both Jericho and Jerusalem.

Most exterior scenes, however, were filmed on location in Mandatory Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan, including staging in both Jericho and Jerusalem.

Most exterior scenes, however, were filmed on location in Mandatory Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan, including staging in both Jericho and Jerusalem.

Most exterior scenes, however, were filmed on location in Mandatory Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan, including staging in both Jericho and Jerusalem.

Most exterior scenes, however, were filmed on location in Mandatory Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan, including staging in both Jericho and Jerusalem.

Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922 had sparked a wave of Egyptomania.

Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922 had sparked a wave of Egyptomania.

Seeking to capitalize on this trend, Fox had Edwards add an opening sequence to the film based on the Exodus.

Because it was produced largely for promotional purposes, it is unrelated to the rest of the film, although Edwards did provide intertitles that attempted to frame it as a background for the story of David.

A chariot race was also included in an effort to capitalize on the success of a similar scene in The Queen of Sheba.

Some scenes required large numbers of extras.

Photoplay reported that Edwards's crew avoided potential religious conflict while filming in Jerusalem by having British troops costumed as Arabs.

The largest battle scene used fifteen thousand horsemen, who were members of Transjordan's military provided by Emir Abdullah.

Several scenes were hand-colored for release, including images of a red lantern hung above Saul's throne.

The Shepherd King was scheduled for a November 25, 1923 release; modern sources, including the American Film Institute, report that the film was released on that date.

Its New York premiere, on December 10 at the Central Theatre, was met with initially positive reviews in the local newspapers; the New York Evening Journal labelled it the best of Edwards's films.

Its New York premiere, on December 10 at the Central Theatre, was met with initially positive reviews in the local newspapers; the New York Evening Journal labelled it the best of Edwards's films.

Moving Picture World C. S. Sewell also reviewed the film favorably, praising the battle scenes and Bernardi's role as David.

The New York Times found the film beautiful, but faulted its slow pacing and the number of close-up shots.