Blu-ray Release of 'David' Offers Second Chance for Family Audiences

Release Details Country: United States, South Africa Year: 2025 Directors: Brent Dawes, Phil Cunningham Writers: Brent Dawes, Kyle Portbury, Sam Wilson Voice Cast: Phil Wickham, Miri Mesika, Hector Distributor: SAJE Distribution Runtime: 1h55 Genre: Animation Theatrical Release Date: March 18, 2026 Blu-ray Release Date: July 17, 2026

David tells the story of a young shepherd with a captivating voice who enchants his family and King Saul. When the giant Goliath threatens his people, David steps forward armed only with a sling, a few stones, and unwavering faith. This sets the stage for the extraordinary journey of a simple shepherd who becomes a king, saving the soul of a kingdom through loyalty and courage.

The Film

Rating: 3/5

Released last winter, the animated feature Le Roi des Rois attracted over 242,000 viewers in French theaters. SAJE Distribution, which handled the film’s theatrical release, likely hoped David would capitalize on this momentum, akin to how one might seize the moment at a barbecue. However, David only managed to draw about 67,000 viewers across a comfortable distribution of 350 copies.

It’s important to note that Le Roi des Rois is an animated adaptation of Charles Dickens, featuring a star-studded voice cast including Kenneth Branagh and Uma Thurman. In contrast, David is based on the Books of Samuel from the Old Testament, with a more modest voice cast that includes Phil Wickham and Miri Mesika. The French voice cast features Élie Semoun, Fabienne Carat, and Timéo Béasse, a contestant from The Voice Kids Season 7.

Similar to other films with a “Christian” theme, such as Le Roi des Rois and Sound of Freedom, David attracted a dedicated audience that boosted its ratings on review aggregators. However, the film struggles with a dual identity, caught between telling a grand biblical narrative and emulating mainstream animated productions. This results in a film that feels overly formulaic, where songs and humor are inserted in a predictable manner, making it challenging to find genuine surprises.

Visually, the film has its strengths. Sunrise Animation has invested in clean, colorful CGI animation that is often pleasing to the eye, showcasing beautiful natural settings and effective use of light. While it may not compete with the likes of Pixar or DreamWorks, David presents a respectable finish for an independent production. However, the film often fails to evoke deep emotional responses, lacking the soul that could elevate it.

Nevertheless, the film exhibits a degree of sincerity. Unlike other faith-based productions that come off as thinly veiled sermons, David attempts to tell an accessible story of growth, courage, and faith for younger audiences. The film respects its source material, allowing biblical enthusiasts to recognize key moments in the future king of Israel's destiny. It is the culmination of years of development, extending from an animated mini-series, and represents the first true animated musical film produced around this theme by Angel Studios, a platform for Christian audiovisual content.

Ultimately, David resembles those beautifully bound books that sit prominently on family shelves, seldom opened. While the film has polished production values, clear intentions, and a straightforward message, it lacks the spark needed to transform a well-executed illustration into a captivating cinematic adventure. Young viewers may find it a decent spectacle, and faith-based families could appreciate its narrative fidelity, but others might feel like they are witnessing a lengthy catechism lesson filtered through modern animation codes. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s too restrained to leave a lasting impression once the credits roll.

The Blu-ray

Rating: 4/5

As expected, SAJE Distribution also handles David in the home video market. While the film didn’t achieve the anticipated success in French theaters, the Blu-ray release presents a second chance to reach audiences, particularly as it fits the profile of a family-friendly addition to home collections. The technical aspects of the disc are commendable, with a high-definition transfer that highlights the film's warm colors, dominated by earthy tones and desert hues that maintain stability. The textures of the backgrounds and character models are more defined compared to compressed formats, although some close-ups reveal the limitations of CGI animation.

On the audio front, both the French and original versions feature DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, delivering a satisfying performance that complements the film’s musical elements. Dialogue remains clear, and the sound design effectively creates an immersive atmosphere, with musical compositions benefitting from a spacious soundstage. Action sequences also inject a bit of dynamism into the overall experience. The French version boasts a well-crafted mix that holds its own against the original, providing a balanced listening experience.

In terms of extras, SAJE Distribution focuses on engaging with the French voice actors. The disc includes a series of interviews about the dubbing process, featuring Élie Semoun, Fabienne Carat, Timéo Béasse, and others (16 minutes total). Each actor discusses their involvement, connection to their characters, and the work behind the French songs. While these features don’t delve deeply into the film's production, they shed light on the effort put into the French adaptation and highlight the often-overlooked aspects of voice acting in animation. The package is rounded out with music video clips (12 minutes), allowing young viewers to extend their experience after watching the film. Although the bonus content is modest, it aligns well with the film's family-oriented focus. Some fans might have appreciated additional behind-the-scenes features about the animation or biblical adaptation, but the included extras fulfill their purpose for the intended audience.