This sprawling 70mm epic, based on Leon Uris’s chronicle about the formation of the state of Israel, offered some exciting moments with the struggling settlers. Unfortunately, the direction was often heavy-handed, with some wooden performances distracting from the flow.
A shorter version might have worked better – After three and a half hours it ended on a tiresome note.
As well remembered now for its off-screen politics – director Otto Preminger hired (and credited) blacklisted screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo – as for those on screen, it is a well-intended historical film which received Academy Award nominations for best supporting actor (Mineo) and cinematography.
It was a modest hit on release, despite comedian Mort Sahl’s protestations against its length at the premiere, where he stood and shouted mid-film, “Otto, let my people go!”
Ari Ben Canaan
Paul Newman Kitty Fremont
Eva Marie Saint General Sutherland
Ralph Richardson Major Caldwell
Peter Lawford Barak Ben Canaan
Lee J. Cobb Dov Landau
Sal Mineo Taha
John Derek Mandria
Hugh Griffith Lakavitch
Gregory Ratoff Dr Lieberman
Felix Aylmer Akiva
David Opatoshu Karen
Jill Haworth Von Storch
Marius Goring Jordana
Alexandra Stewart David Ben Ami
Michael Wager Mordecai
Martin Benson Reuben
Paul Stevens Sarah
Betty Walker Dr Odenheim
Martin Miller Yaov
George Maharis Hank
John Crawford Uzi
Dan Ben Amotz Dr Clement
Peter Madden Avidan
Joseph Furst Lieutenant O’Hara
Mark Burns Mrs Hirshberg
Esther Ofarim Mrs Frankel
Zipora Peled Novak
Philo Hauser
Director Otto Preminger
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