I counter the great Kerry Douglas Dye, who hates this movie. I think it is a solid old Hollywood epic and, let’s face it, the largest (and most widely seen) piece of Israeli kitsch ever made. The film that launched a thousand Workman’s Circle film nights and upped the rolls at Kibutzes from Haifa to Eliat.
Is it a good film? At times, yes, though certainly dumbed down. But not as dumbed down as in my memory. There’s a little nuance here and there – even some fair minded screen time to the Arabs.
Anyway, if you haven’t seen this before, grab your El Al carry-on jet bag and look into Paul Newman’s dreamy half-Jewish eyes as he fights fights FIGHTS!
Blech. Anyway, it’s inaccurate to say that I hate this movie. I only hate the first four hours. The other half has its moments.