Samson et Dalila (2002) was directed by Pierre Cavassilas. The opera was written by Camille Saint-Saëns, and is sung in French.
This is a solid production and the lead singers are good actors. However, we go to the opera (or watch it on DVD) to hear the singing. In this case, we're in good hands. Samson is portrayed by Plácido Domingo, who is one of the great tenor voices in opera history. Dalila is played by Olga Borodina, who is one of the great mezzo-soprano voices in opera history. They have performed this opera together in the past, and, then and now, the result is magical.
Samson et Dalila is performed frequently, and there is no shortage of available films. I haven't heard the other versions, but I can't imagine a better pair of voices to do justice to the music. This film has a solid IMDb rating of 7.6. I thought it was much better than that, and rated it 10.
P. S. We heard Borodina perform Dalila's aria at a concert in St. Petersburg. I will never forget that evening.
