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
