The Lone Stranger - Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen (2000)

Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen (2000)

Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen was released on September 20, 2000 on VHS. Subtitled "A Lesson in Courage", the story is taken from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, in which Esther becomes Queen and must tell King Xerxes that his prime minister Haman is plotting to commit genocide against the Jews. However the violence is replaced with banishment to the "Island of Perpetual Tickling," and the intended victims are limited to Esther and her family without reference to their race or creed. The presentation of the story was inspired by The Godfather and Casablanca and has stylistic elements of a Film Noir. The dramatic lighting, deep shadows, dark plot elements, and narrative voiceovers all contribute to the effect. The palace windows are even hung with Venetian blinds, an iconic element of the genre.