(Cross-posted from Zionists Do It Better)
castCast a Giant Shadow (1966) Part fact, part fiction, Cast a Giant Shadow powerfully dramatizes Israel’s historic 1947-1948 struggle for independence. Both realistic war story and passionate romance, it features an all-star cast including Kirk Douglas, Senta Berger, and Angle Dickenson, as well as Yul Brynner, John Wayne and Frank Sinatra in notable supporting roles. From the liner notes.

Cast a Giant Shadow is a 1966 film, that’s right, BEFORE the reunificationof Jerusalem, the occupation of the territories, and capturing of the Sinai and Golan. It was still two years after the founding of the PLO. The epic film was produced and directed by Melville Shavelson and distributed by MGM. It is a story based on Ted Berkman’s biography of Colonel Mickey Marcus.

Marcus (played by Kirk Douglas) served as an adviser in the war to establish the state of Israel in 1948. Marcus falls in love with a beautiful Israeli soldier in Palestine, but oops, he is married. Filmed mostly on location, Cast a Giant Shadow is not entirely historically accurate but is based on actual events. If you love the classic actors: Angie Dickinson, Yul Brynner, John Wayne, and Frank Sinatra, you will enjoy! Don’t forget some Zionist Popcorn from Dale and Thomas Popcorn (aka Popcorn, Indiana)!

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Rabbi Yonah

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