CAST A GIANT SHADOW

US, 1966, 146 minutes, Colour.
Kirk Douglas, Senta Berger, Angie Dickinson, James Donald, Stathis Giallelis, Luther Adler, Topol, Ruth White, Gordon Jackson, Michael Hordern, Alan Cuthbertson, Jeremy Kemp, Frank Sinatra, Yul Brynner, John Wayne.
Directed by Melville Shavelson.

Cast a Giant Shadow is an epic film made about the formation of the State of Israel. It was made less than twenty years after the establishing of Israel in 1948. (The formation of Israel and its aftermath was, perhaps, even more strikingly presented in Otto Preminger’s Exodus, 1960.)

This film is also the biography of real-life Colonel David “Mickey” Marcus. Marcus had trained as a lawyer, was involved in the politics of New York City with Fiorello La Guardia and presidential candidate Tom Dewey. During World War Two he reenlisted and was approached by Jewish authorities to lead the military aspect of the formation of the State of Israel. He accepted. The film shows the background of his family life, a relationship with his wife played by Angie Dickinson and an affair with his assistant played by Senta Berger.

The England are well presented by staunch character actors like James Donald, Gordon Jackson and Michael Hordern. There are also guest stars to enhance the box office popularity – an episode with Frank Sinatra, Yul Brynner who resembles the military leader Moshe Dayan and John Wayne appears briefly as a general who resembles General Patton. (The film was co-produced by John Wayne’s company, Batjac.)

Luther Adler who presides over the formation of the State of Israel represents David Ben- Gurion.

The film had difficulties in production – and Melville Shavelson, the director, wrote a critical humorous book later called How to Make a Jewish Movie.

The film represents attitudes towards the State of Israel in the 1960s – and, it is noted, that it was released at the time of the Six Day War. The film takes for granted the State of Israel – although it shows the neighbouring Arabs, especially the Palestinians, as hostile to the Israelis.

The film is interesting to look at in light of the history of tensions between Israel and the Palestinians and Israel and Lebanon.

Melville Shavelson normally wrote a lot of lighter films and directed a number of them including Bob Hope in The Seven Little Foys and Beau James, Danny Kaye in The Five Pennies and On the Double, Clark Gable and Sophia Loren in It Started in Naples, Sophia Loren and Cary Grant in Houseboat and Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward in A New Kind of Love.

I. The meaning of the title and its application to Marcus? The atmosphere of the credits? The style of this film, wide screen, colour, locations, booming music? a big film?

2. Although the film was a spectacular one, how serious was it in its intentions? How intelligent in its approach? Was it too romantic? Did it get to grips with its themes?

3. Was the film a just one? Did it present Arabs and Jews fairly? Did it present them fairly in the portrayal of the past? Its influence on the present? In what ways did it seem partisan? The importance of John Wayne's presence in the film: the ordinary American, the typical American confronting such a political and radical issue? The fact that John Wayne was convinced, therefore the American public for this film being convinced? Was this fair?

4. What kind of person was Colonel Marcus in himself? Was this clear from the film? His presentation as a person, the chip on his shoulder, the influence of the World War on his home life and relationship with his wife? As an American Jew and his acceptance of this? The quality of his successes, his loving war and its exploits, the choice of going to war and remaining at home with his wife, the quality of his love for his wife, wanting a child? The emotional turmoil which he also experienced in Palestine? The significance of his return from it? From Palestine to Emma? His wanting to be in charge of operations in Palestine? Or belonging to a cause, identifying with it, using his skill and achieving success? How successful a war did Colonel Marcus have?

5. How successful was Kirk Douglas’ portrayal of Marcus? in the war sequences and his daring, clashing with the General, his role in American politics, the approaches by the Jews and his responses to these? his skill for making plans, his experiences of the troubles in Palestine, his execution of his plans, his rallying the Americans to the side of the Jews, his courage? The irony of his resolving his problems and his death?

6. How well did the film integrate Marcus’s personal problems with his cause? His making a mark in the world, his chips and his emotional conflicts? Resolving the emotional problems with Magda and being ready for death and the irony of his death?

7. How well did the film portray Israel’s cause? The political background of Palestine, British occupation, World War II, the United Nations, Arabs and their attitudes towards Jews? Israel itself and its inception, the Jews during the war, the refugees and building up Israel, the defending of themselves with a cause, the importance of the land, Jerusalem? How war-mongering were the Jews and the Arabs? The division in Israel? The division amongst the fighters? The divisions amongst the Arabs? Marcus’ policy of attack and courage? The utilisation of youths, the number of deaths to achieve this cause?

8. What impression did Asher make? His role in Palestine and his skill in leading his fighting men? The stances he took about Israel, about Marcis? His stubbornness and yet his support? The role of Devid and his original approach to Marcus? His support of him and the campaign? Ram and his role with the forces? his daring in exploits? His role in the formation of Israel? The picture of Ben Gurion? As a leader figure, in his wisdom, his expression of the inadequacies of the Jews in building up Israel? The emotional scenes at the rally where America recognised Israel?

9. How was Magda a symbol for the fight of the Jews? her European background? War, her escape, her marriage and its unhappiness, yet fighting for a cause? her courage, yet her hysteria and fear? How attractive a person was she?

10. How well did the film use the contrast between Magda and Emma? In their relationship with Marcus?

11. The character of Talmadge? Frank Sinatra’s personality, a mercenary joining a cause for the money, his skill with the planes, his enjoyment of firing the soda fountains,, the irony of his death and its emotional force in the film?

12. The role of Abou and Topol’s performance? An insight into Arab relationships with the Jews? The shrewd Arab able to sum people up and situations and help? A touch of humour for the film?

13. The impact of John Wayne as the General? His typical performance during the war sequences, his role in post war Washington, his advice about the Jew (the memories of Dachau)? His influence in the Department of State? The fact that he appeared often in flashbacks and the impact of this?

14. The presentation of the British, their occupation role, the passport incident, the importance of the refugees on the beach and the British mercy and politeness, the Ambassador and the party and his influence?

15. How vivid were the pictures of raids? The armoured buses, the blowing up of the dump, the siege, the immigrants in the fields, the building of the roads, the decoying of the tanks, Jerusalem?