Contentious historical epic on the founding of Israel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
The threat of violence and war lingers over the entire film -- from the trauma of the Holocaust that preceded it, to hostilities with neighboring communities after the creation of Israel. Someone is seen hanging, with the Star of David painted on their chest. A massacre includes the death of a young female character. Buildings are blown up with dynamite. Someone is kicked off a roof. Gun fire. Distressing memories are recounted, including a survivor from Auschwitz confessing to having taken part in the brutality and torture of his other Jewish prisoners, in a bid to stay alive. There is a lot of anger and animosity on both sides, as emotions flare. A character spits at a nurse who is trying to assist them. Characters partake in a hunger strike.
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Characters make antisemitic statements such as saying they feel "uncomfortable" around Jewish people, or describing them as "troublemakers" who "look funny." A character refers to another as a "schlemiel," which is a Yiddish expression for a "fool."
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The message to the film is ultimately a positive one, albeit somewhat one-sided in the conflict presented. There is a powerful and overriding futility to conflict, in how people senselessly kill each other based on our differences. The film perpetuates the idealistic notion that Jewish and Arab communities should be able to live peacefully side by side, following the partition. While the film does acknowledge there is a deeper complexity to this -- an Arab character states that while the Jewish people have a new sense of freedom due to the creation of the State of Israel, his people have lost some of theirs -- its perspective from a Palestinian viewpoint is limited.
Positive Role Models
some
The representation of the Jewish characters is that of a sympathetic one, given what they had been through in World War II, leaving them displaced and unwanted in a still hostile world. The Jewish characters show great courage and self-dignity, fighting for what they believe in; their freedom. Ari Ben Canaan is an honorable man, which is displayed in his conviction and compassion, and exemplified in the lengths he goes to, ensuring the safe evacuation of the children at the height of conflict. Given the tale is presented from a Jewish perspective, the position and experience of the Arab characters is somewhat overlooked.
Diverse Representations
a little
The movie is directed by Jewish filmmaker Otto Preminger, and stars Jewish actor Paul Newman in the leading role, collaborating to tell an important tale in modern Jewish history, and one that provides historical context to a sadly still prevalent ongoing global issue. Telling the story of the formation of the State of Israel, the film does have a sympathetic stance to the plight of its Jewish characters, who were left in a detention camp in Cyprus following WWII, as Europe -- and notably, the British -- were trying to determine what to do with such a huge number of displaced people, who it seemed nobody wanted to take in. There are plenty of examples of antisemitism, notably from the British. The film does, however, neglect to delve deeper into the Palestinian perspective, giving the Arab population a sense of "otherness" in this story. Some female representation, notably the characters Kitty and Karen. Both are given depth and complexity with well-developed arcs. While they both have romantic subplots they are not defined by them. However, they -- along with the other female characters in the film -- are secondary to the male characters in the story.
Parents need to know that Exodus is a 1960 historical epic -- based on a 1958 novel of the same name -- about the creation of the State of Israel and the conflict that ensued. Told from a Jewish perspective, the film is considered somewhat contentious by some, for being generally in favor of the forming of Israel and failing to give a voice to Palestine's Arab community. Paul Newman stars as Ari Ben Canaan, an honorable, courageous, and compassionate man who smuggles hundreds of Jewish people out of an internment camp to Palestine, which eventually leads to the formation of Israel. There is constant threat of violence, and war is a prominent theme, lingering from World War II and with the foreboding conflict that arises after the creation of Israel. There are deaths and some violent images including a man hanging with the Star of David painted on his chest, and characters going on hunger strike. There are moments of antisemitism, most notably from the British and characters are seen drinking and smoking cigars and cigarettes. At three and a half hours long, the movie tackles a complex period of history, but viewers may be left with more questions than answers. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
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What's the Story?
EXODUS delves into the tense years post-World War II, as Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors are detained at an internment camp in Cyprus by the British. Ari Ben Canaan (Paul Newman) vies to smuggle hundreds of these Jewish people out of the camp on a cargo ship and off to Palestine. The founding of the State of Israel then occurs, as the United Nations votes to partition the land into two states, the "Jewish State" and the "Arab State." This series of events ensures tensions mount between the two, leading to a brutal conflict.
Otto Preminger's 1960 historical epic has a real place in Hollywood history, albeit it's a film that is telling an important story through a specific lens. Despite being three and a half hours long, Exodus maintains your attention, given the masterful pacing, and the way it builds up to its climactic finale. The film also feels like it's two tales, with the first being the story of the escape from Cyprus, with Newman's character fronting the courageous voyage in helping hundreds of Jewish people flee to Palestine. The second of course taking on a great political context, as the forming of the State of Israel occurs. Dealing with this subject was always going to make for a contentious film and decades later it still divides opinions, given it leans more into being pro-Israel. But when stripped back the film does perpetuate the notion of harmony, and while it may neglect listening to both sides, the overriding message is that people should be able to live together. Though of course there is a far greater deal of complexity with the situation, which simply can't be ignored.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the historical context of Exodus. What did you know about this period of history before watching the film? Has it inspired you to learn more? Why is it still relevant today?
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