Cast a Giant Shadow (1966)

Cast a Giant Shadow

This is one of those Classics that you will want in your library, like The Longest Day etc... Just buy it. At these prices it's a good value.. May 2, 2008

Cast a Giant Shadow

This movie is a wonderful Kirk Douglas Film about the famous Mickey Marcus and the beginning of the state of Israel. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of Israel and is a good time to see this film. This is one of my favorites of all time. February 8, 2008

Cast a Giant Shadow

I loved the DVD! It was an excellent movie with an impressive cast. The quality of the photography, sound, etc. was tops. November 28, 2007

The making of Israel

A good movie, especially considering the cast. Kirk Douglas is great, as always, as is Yul Brynner (although it's hard sometimes to tell if Yul is acting or just being Yul).

The movie looks at the beginnings of Israel and the role of Marcus, a former U.S. Army officer, in winning the battle against the Arabs who tried to invade from the surrounding countries when independence was declared.

Only a few flaws keep this from being an outstanding movie, notably the over-use of flashbacks. Either Marcus' experiences in Europe and Washington should have been summed up early in the movie or else some other plot device used to explain how he came to feel like he had to do something for Israel.

Still, a good movie that avoids any of the PC hand-wringing one sees so often in these sorts of things. June 13, 2007

A sentimental film

First off let me say I have been living in Jerusalem now for two years and I saw Exodus before I cmae here but this film in many ways is more senitmental and brings tears to the eyes, despite its Hollywood idiocy, cardboard acting and stereotypes. The cinematography cannot be beaten, the film is shot in the dirty kibbutzim, Jerusalem hills and Negev desert. Although the battles are stylized and the Egyptian tanks are not accurate, the film maintains many accurate aspects. It truthfully shows the non-support given by the U.S to nascent Israel. It also gives many accurate details regarding the Egyptian advance, the battles for Jerusalem, the Burma road and the ALA. It fairly depicts the arab irregulars, and in this many are wrong, the depiction of Israeli organization and Arab disorganization is fairly portrayed. The Israelis are shown to be full of bravado, lacking many military skills, but with much efficiency and zeal while the Arabs are truthfully shown to be made up of a variety of competing interests, including irregulars, sheikhs and regular troops.

Many small details are accurate and fair. The cast is brilliant, including Kirk Douglas, Frank Sinatra(in a bit part) and John Wayne. The Hebrew is simple and helpful for the begginer. THe Romance is not as stupid as previously portrayed, and the Israelis/Jews are depicted in their diversity(with the exception of the religious).

Seth J. Frantzman December 12, 2006

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