JUDITH
Israel/UK/US, 1966, 109 minutes, Colour.
Sophia Loren, Peter Finch, Jack Hawkins, Andre Morell.
Directed by Daniel Mann.
Judith is set in Israel in 1947. It highlights the melodrama of so many of the people escaping from Europe to try to make a new life in Palestine. It shows the dangers and the politics of the preparation for the declaration of the state of Israel. It highlights aspects of antagonism towards the Jews as well as having action sequences in Damascus.
The film comes from a story by novelist Lawrence Durrell, author of The Alexandrian Quartet – and the film Justine was made by George Cukor in 1969. The screenplay is by John Michael Hayes, writer of a number of Hitchcock films including Rear Window, To Catch a Thief and The Trouble With Harry.
The film is a star vehicle for Sophia Loren. After her debut in Italian films in the mid-1950s, she made a huge impact worldwide with such films as The Pride and the Passion, Houseboat and The Key. She moved into spectacles like El Cid. However, she won the Oscar for best actress in Vittorio de Sica’s Two Women in 1961, a sombre film in black and white with a war theme. Sophia Loren then continued to appear in many films during the 1960s and has continued acting spasmodically, in quite a number of television movies as well. Her leading man is Peter Finch who was a reputable actor and had appeared with many significant leading ladies including Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor (Elephant Walk) and Audrey Hepburn in The Nun’s Story. He was to receive a posthumous Oscar in 1976 for his performance in Network. Jack Hawkins, always reliable in the background, appears as the British major.
The film was directed by Daniel Mann, director of a number of entertaining films. He also directed three actresses to Oscar-winning roles: Shirley Booth in 1952 in Come Back Little Sheba, Anna Magnani in 1955 with The Rose Tattoo and Elizabeth Taylor in 1960 with Butterfield 8.
The film was of interest to compare with other films about the establishing of the state of Israel: The Juggler, made in 1953, Exodus made in 1960.
1. The focus of the title? The Jewish woman, the biblical heroine? The focus of Sophia Loren and her interpretation of the role?
2. The overall impact of such films on the Jewish settlement in Israel? For Jewish audiences, for worldwide audiences? The portrayal of a historical period in the recent past? A question of justice for the Jews and their land? The clash with the Palestinians and the Arabs? The emotional impact of such films?
3. The value of the colour, Panavision photography, authentic locations, the details of kibbutz life etc.?
4. How convincing was the presentation of the 1947 atmosphere? The post-war atmosphere, the memory of the concentration camps, suffering and vengeance, the emergence of the state of Israel, the hold of the British, the hostility of the Arabs, Syria as an enemy? The impact of this aspect of history then, the impact now?
5. How melodramatic was the film and its situations? How seriously were they meant to be taken? A serious drama about Israel and its people? An action melodrama to involve audiences?
6. The character of Judith’s her first presentation in the crate, the nature of her escape, the background of her life and marriage, Schiller as the archenemy the question of her child? Her personal bitterness and arrogance? Her lack of care about Israel? The motivations of revenge? Her being Invited to spy for the Jews? The variation on the biblical theme? With the British commander, in Damascus?
7. Her role in the incidents in Damascus? Her willingness to help, yet her killing of Schiller? What future did she have?
8. Schiller as the typical anti-Jewish villain? Nazi, his role in the concentration camps, betrayal of wife and child, his fleeing to Syria, training the Arabs against Israel? Did he have any sympathetic qualities at all?
9. The contrast with the Jewish organizations? The detail of their plans and attitudes? The preparation for defending against the Arabs? The commando manoeuvres, to protect themselves? How much sympathy for these active Jewish movements?
10. The contrast with life in the kibbutz? The people and their way of life, the international flavour the setting up of Israel, hopes for the future?
11. Aaron and his role in the active organizations? On the kibbutz? His role amongst his people? His skill in the incident in Damascus? His love for Judith? His setting up of the British officer?
12. The film as a portrayal of human nature In terms of adventure and challenge? In human relationships? Love and revenge?
13. Is this kind of film valuable as background for modern politics? For a more personal appraisal of International situations?
