Umberto Scarpelli was an Italian screenwriter and film director whose career spanned from the 1930s to the early 1960s. Born in Orvieto, Umbria, he began his career in the film industry as an assistant director, contributing to over fifteen films. Notably, he served as an assistant director on Shoeshine (1946) and Bicycle Thieves (1948), both of which are seminal works in Italian neorealism. Scarpelli transitioned to directing with films such as Sant'Elena, piccola isola (1943) and The Secret Conclave (1952). His directorial work often explored historical and dramatic themes, reflecting the so...
David and Goliath
The Prophet Samuel foretells a new king will rule Israel to the dismay of King Saul and his cousin and commander in chief Abner. King Saul has been having a streak of bad luck since the Philistine captivity of the Ark and fears the newcomer but doesn't know who the new king will be. The unsuspecting shepherd David visits Jerusalem where he is identified as the king. Abner decides to test his wisdom by asking how the Israelites can get around the Philistines' imposed edict that the only ones who may lawfully bear arms in defeated Israel are the officers of Saul's court and his palace guard. David replies that the Philistines have set no limit on the number of officers or palace guards. Meanwhile, King Asrod of the Philistines plots another attack on the riches of Israel, this time accompanied by the fearsome giant Goliath.
