THE GOING UP OF DAVID LEV
US, 1973, 74 minutes, Colour.
Topol, Claire Bloom, Melvyn Douglas, Brandon Cruz.
Directed by James F. Collier.
The Going Up Of David Lev is an Israeli- American co-production. It was released at the time of the 25th. anniversary of the establishing of the state of Israel. It captures the atmosphere of modern Israel but presents it with an emotional story: family, young boy seeking his father, echoes of the six-day war. Topol, Israel's most popular international actor, has a comic singing role (he reminds us of his Fiddler on the Roof). An international cast headed
by Melvyn Douglas and Claire Bloom gives strength to the telemovie. The story is slight in itself but the impact comes from the Israeli background and the sense of patriotism and nationhood being communicated throughout the story. The Israeli locations are attractive.
1. The quality of the film as telemovie, American- Israeli co-production? The purpose, impact, entertainment value? Morale for Israel? The jubilee of 1973?
2. The impact of the telemovie: for home audiences. home watching, response to Israel as a nation, the background of Israel, the six-day war? Characters and situations? The universal appeal of the story?
3. The patriotic tone, the interest value of the plot, the sentiment and treatment of the characters and issues?
4. Audience response to Israel and its origins, persecution? 1973? The atmosphere of Tel Aviv, the road to Jerusalem, Jerusalem? The vistas of Israel? The significance of the state of Israel? The focus on David: as a young boy, the future of Israel, its hopes? The family background, his mother and grandfather? Leaving Tel Aviv ? The taxi-ride and the encounter with the taxi-man? The significance of going up to Jerusalem? His experiences on the way, friendship and song? His revelation of himself? The cab-driver's story? The significance of David's search for his father? The six-day war, heroism? The taxi-driver and his affection, guidance, rescuing from the police? The further meeting with him? The effect of his story on David?
5. The taxi-driver: Topol and his boisterous and humorous style, his songs? The humour of the taxi-driver? The difficulties with the car, the journey, the police, finding the right offices, their being shut? Persuasion? The story for David and the background of his father's death? The truth and
the legend? An Israeli hero?
6. The contrast with David's mother - American background, illness, hospital sequences, her relationship with her son?
7. The grandfather and his concern, work, the factory, relationship with David, with David's mother? The search for David?
8. David and the experience in Jerusalem: the encounters with the police, with the various people,, the offices, the discovery of records? The other children and clashes in Jerusalem? Adult help?
9. The quality of the film as a story about a family.. the background of war? Insight into character and yearnings? The importance of the absent father?
10. The film as an appropriate telemovie for the Israeli jubilee?
