Search - Exodus on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 8/22/2023...

A Classic based on true events. It could have been great if they would not have run the movie for three hours and shortened it up.

Lydia Z. (grandmalydia)
Reviewed on 2/18/2023...

Long movie, but very good!

Exodus

D. Keller | Malden, MA USA | 03/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie was quote interesting. The movie is based on the book, Exodus, which is great. Overall, the movie itself was good but lots of liberties were taken that do not line up with the book. I recommend this book for those interested in Jewish history and Zionism and Israel."

Epic Film with a Message

Joseph J. Slevin | Carlsbad, CA United States | 03/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember as a kid watching this when it would be shown for two nights in the springtime, waiting to see it and then, oh well, the music was pretty cool. Now, through other eyes, it really is a great piece of movie history an excellent story and plot as well with irony and tradegy and hope as a message.

Really, when you think of what has transpired in the sixty plus years since the founding of the state of Israel, you get a sense of the tension that develops between Ari Ben Canaan (Paul Newman) and his childhood friend Taha (played by John Derek (Joshua from The Ten Commandments), the Arab Sheik from the nearby town whose dad allowed Barak Ben Canaan (Lee J. Cobb) settle many years before. After the UN approves the state of Israel, Taha gets caught up in the politics of the time, yet, he stresses, this is my land and our country. Ari Ben Canaan says, we can still be friends and neighbors. Looking back, hind sight being 20/20, one has to ask, was there or could have there been another solution?

The film itself sends a few messages, Ari Ben Canaan impersonates an Englishman, when he is talking to one of the leaders of the camps on Cyprus Major Caldwell (Peter Lawford), they get into barbs about Jewish people, Newman plays it straight the whole time as a plot to get those in the camp freed to go to Israel.

You see as well the beginnings of the terror campaigns in Israel, by the Israelis, wanting to be rid of the British rulers. There is tension for sure between factions within the Jewish community in Palestine, but they come together.

The story is gripping in intensity, the first time you watch it through. Look for the messages though, the sorrow of the many who had been persecuted, and the anger and passion of those who seek a home land.

Each main character in the story seems to represent a picture of the larger nations involved in the struggle of the time.

An interesting book that is very up to date about the time we live in relation to the Middle East is "Tea with Hezbollah." You hear, like the words of Taha, Ben Canaan's friend, the words of those who love people, Jews, Americans and others, yet, dislike Zionism. Amazingly, Exodus is as much real time today as it was in 1960 since the issue is not settled for those affected.

I wish the DVD had a few more extras about maybe things like the Balfour Declaration and things like the Jewish refugees being rejected from country to country before and during WWII. Paul Newman aludes to it in the movie, it would have been fascinating for sure. Eva Marie Saint, plays a strong recently widowed nurse who has spent time in Palestine, and she gets involved in the plot in order to help others.

Very well done and very interesting movie. I recommend it heartily."

Worth watching

Spin Sycle | Houston, Tx | 02/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"still relevant today, Exodus offers a glimpse of the Jewish plight after WW2. I would go so far as to say it offers a Jewish perspective on the formation of the state of Israel in an informative and engrossing story. My only complaint is that it is a little long, perhaps could even have been split into two movies. This is worth watching not just for Paul Newman but for the perspective."