Samson and Delilah
When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
Despite its tight budget of $3.0M, Samson and Delilah became a box office success, earning $11.5M worldwide—a 283% return. The film's innovative storytelling engaged audiences, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Samson and Delilah (1949) exhibits precise story structure, characteristic of Cecil B. DeMille's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 14 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Samson
Delilah
The Saran of Gaza
Semadar
Ahtur
Manoah
Miriam
Main Cast & Characters
Samson
Played by Victor Mature
A Danite warrior blessed with supernatural strength who becomes judge of Israel but is betrayed by his love for a Philistine woman.
Delilah
Played by Hedy Lamarr
A beautiful Philistine woman from the Valley of Sorek who seduces Samson to discover the secret of his strength.
The Saran of Gaza
Played by George Sanders
The ruthless Philistine ruler who seeks to destroy Samson and subjugate the Israelites.
Semadar
Played by Angela Lansbury
Delilah's sister who becomes Samson's first wife but is caught between her love and her people's hatred.
Ahtur
Played by Henry Wilcoxon
A Philistine officer and Delilah's former lover who pressures her to betray Samson.
Manoah
Played by Fay Holden
Samson's wise and faithful father who warns him against violating his Nazarite vow.
Miriam
Played by Julia Faye
Samson's devoted mother who fears for her son's fate when he pursues Philistine women.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Samson, the mighty Danite, is shown in the Philistine-occupied land of Israel, known for his legendary strength. He visits the home of the Philistine woman Semadar, whom he desires to marry, while her sister Delilah watches with growing fascination.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when At the wedding feast, Samson poses his famous riddle about the lion and honey. The Philistines coerce Semadar into extracting the answer. When the guests solve it, Samson realizes he's been betrayed by his bride, erupting in violent rage against the Philistines.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Samson slaughters the Philistine army with the jawbone of an ass, killing a thousand men. He has now openly declared war on Philistia. There is no return to peaceful coexistence - he has become an outlaw and champion of Israel against their oppressors., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Samson, intoxicated by love and wine, finally reveals to Delilah that his strength lies in his uncut hair - his Nazirite vow to God. This is a false victory for Delilah but a fatal mistake for Samson. The stakes have been raised to their highest point., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 101 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Samson, blind and broken, is brought to the temple of Dagon as entertainment for the mocking Philistines. He appears utterly defeated - a shell of the mighty warrior, chained between the temple pillars. The Saran and his lords celebrate their victory over Israel's champion., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 107 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Delilah guides the blind Samson to the central pillars of the temple. She chooses to stay with him, accepting her fate. Samson realizes God has given him one final chance for redemption through sacrifice. He grasps the pillars, his strength restored by faith., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Samson and Delilah's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Samson and Delilah against these established plot points, we can identify how Cecil B. DeMille utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Samson and Delilah within the romance genre.
Cecil B. DeMille's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Cecil B. DeMille films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Samson and Delilah takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Cecil B. DeMille filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and The Evening Star. For more Cecil B. DeMille analyses, see The Ten Commandments, The Greatest Show on Earth.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Samson, the mighty Danite, is shown in the Philistine-occupied land of Israel, known for his legendary strength. He visits the home of the Philistine woman Semadar, whom he desires to marry, while her sister Delilah watches with growing fascination.
Theme
Samson's father speaks of his Nazirite vow to God, warning that his strength comes from his sacred covenant. "The Lord has given you this power for a purpose beyond your own desires" - establishing that Samson's gift carries divine obligation.
Worldbuilding
The world of Philistine-occupied Israel is established. Samson's legendary strength is demonstrated. His desire for Semadar despite her being a Philistine creates tension. Delilah's jealous attraction to Samson is seeded. The Philistine lords, led by the Saran of Gaza, view Samson as a threat.
Disruption
At the wedding feast, Samson poses his famous riddle about the lion and honey. The Philistines coerce Semadar into extracting the answer. When the guests solve it, Samson realizes he's been betrayed by his bride, erupting in violent rage against the Philistines.
Resistance
Samson kills thirty Philistines for their garments to pay his wager. Semadar is given to another man. In revenge, Samson burns the Philistine crops with foxes bearing torches. The Philistines retaliate by burning Semadar alive. Delilah blames Samson for her sister's death and vows vengeance.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Samson slaughters the Philistine army with the jawbone of an ass, killing a thousand men. He has now openly declared war on Philistia. There is no return to peaceful coexistence - he has become an outlaw and champion of Israel against their oppressors.
Mirror World
Delilah approaches Samson, pretending reconciliation. Despite her hatred, a genuine attraction develops between them. Delilah represents both his weakness for Philistine women and the possibility of love - but also his potential doom. Their relationship becomes the thematic heart of the story.
Premise
Samson and Delilah's passionate but dangerous romance unfolds. She repeatedly tries to discover the secret of his strength while he evades her questions. Samson performs more feats of strength. The Philistine lords grow more desperate to stop him. The seduction game between Samson and Delilah intensifies.
Midpoint
Samson, intoxicated by love and wine, finally reveals to Delilah that his strength lies in his uncut hair - his Nazirite vow to God. This is a false victory for Delilah but a fatal mistake for Samson. The stakes have been raised to their highest point.
Opposition
Delilah cuts Samson's hair while he sleeps. The Philistines capture him easily when his strength vanishes. He is blinded with hot irons. Samson is chained and forced to grind grain like an animal. Delilah, horrified by what she's done, begins to feel genuine remorse. Samson's hair slowly begins to regrow.
Collapse
Samson, blind and broken, is brought to the temple of Dagon as entertainment for the mocking Philistines. He appears utterly defeated - a shell of the mighty warrior, chained between the temple pillars. The Saran and his lords celebrate their victory over Israel's champion.
Crisis
In the temple, Samson is mocked and humiliated before thousands of Philistines. Delilah, witnessing his degradation, is overcome with remorse and love. She approaches Samson secretly, confessing her regret. Samson prays to God for strength one final time, feeling his power returning.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Delilah guides the blind Samson to the central pillars of the temple. She chooses to stay with him, accepting her fate. Samson realizes God has given him one final chance for redemption through sacrifice. He grasps the pillars, his strength restored by faith.
Synthesis
Samson prays: "Let me die with the Philistines." With Delilah at his side, he pushes against the pillars with all his might. The temple of Dagon collapses, killing Samson, Delilah, the Saran, and thousands of Philistines. In death, Samson destroys more enemies than in his life. Israel's oppressors are crushed.
Transformation
The ruins of the temple lie in dust. Samson and Delilah are united in death, both redeemed - he through his final sacrifice for God and his people, she through her choice to die with the man she came to love. Israel is freed, and Samson's legend becomes eternal.