Did you people see the same film I saw?

A Brilliant Conflict

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

. . . perhaps it's best to examine it in that light. The time is 1948. America has the choice of either declaring that The Bible is "a fairy tale," as the Arab countries already have proclaimed, and becoming an Atheist Nation such as Russia, China, or France. On the other hand, the USA can recognize Israel's revival as a modern nation and the Old Testament as True History. SHADOW quotes the Saudi King of the 1940s as stating that he'd be happy to sacrifice 10 million fighters among his fellow Arabs in order to finish Adolf Hitler's Crusade to kill off all of the World's remaining Jews. In response, America festoons itself with Israel as its lapel pin. Though Kirk Douglas, representing our entire nation here, eventually succumbs to "friendly fire," in Real Life Kirk's pushing 100 years of age. If the United Nations has proved one thing--as SHADOW illustrates this at that organization's beginning--"majority rule" (sometimes called "Democracy")--is the best possible recipe for Tyranny and Oblivion, because there's always been a plurality of Ignorant, Superstitious People during every minute of Human History. The Book of Revelation has been interpreted as saying that Armageddon cannot come as long as either Peter O'Toole or Kirk Douglas (that is, "Gog & Magog") lives. Since Mr. O'Toole passed away in 2013, one can only say "Keep on Truckin,' Kirk!"

I enjoyed Cast a Giant Shadow.Like so many films of its type, it has the obligatory love angles that only slow the film down. Angie Dickinson and Senta Berger are much better actors than their silly parts allow them to be. When Dickinson's characters says to Douglas: "Don't hate me for loving you so much," I wanted to scream. Oh, wait, I think I did scream. After that silliness, I fast-forwarded through the rest of the "love" scenes. As a result, I have no idea what happened in the last scene between Douglas and Berger; somehow I'll still be able to sleep at night.Another reviewer thinks the scene with John Wayne at the concentration camp is ridiculous and hard to believe. I actually thought it very believable and a remarkably directed and acted scene. Douglas's character has been there before. But Wayne as the general hasn't seen the camps first-hand and seems to think the stories have been exaggerated. Wayne and Douglas walk into the camp but the camera remains in a tight shot on them. So instead of showing us the scenes in the recently liberated camp, the camera shows us Wayne and Douglas's reactions to what they're seeing. It's only a short scene, but the few seconds of the look on Wayne's face register powerfully. It's subtle. He doesn't overplay it with a look of obvious horror, disgust, etc. Instead, there's a sort of confused, muffled pain in his eyes. John Wayne was a much better actor than he's usually given credit for. When Wayne turns to his right and goes over to lean on a fencepost with his head down (trying to compose himself? trying not to puke?), well, that was a powerful moment for me. There was something about seeing that tall, broad-shouldered man have to walk away, shut his eyes, and hang his head. I forgot it was John Wayne for a few minutes, and that's a big compliment to any star actor. I won't forget any part of that scene.I agree with another reviewer. Douglas' part has too many wisecracks. It gets old. Still, there are some quite funny lines in this film, and not only spoken by Douglas. My favorite is when Douglas is telling the weapons- and manpower-strapped Haganah commander and the others that they have to attack, hit the enemy hard. And Yul Brynner deadpans: "With what? Noodle soup?" Cast a Giant Shadow is not the greatest film ever made, but it's an enjoyable one. Just fast forward through the romantic scenes and you'll be okay.

The pacing in this movie is extremely dated; it would have benefited from a good editing. Although the history presented, allowing for some fictionalizing, is somewhat interesting, the action drags. Also, if you care at all about accuracy in costuming, the costumes and hairstyles will drive you crazy. The movie is set in 1947, yet the characters, when not in military garb, look as if they pulled clothing out of their own 1966 closets and didn't bother to style their hair as it would have looked in 1947. If you're looking for a good war movie, I'm afraid this one will disappoint you. However, if you want to take a nap, pop in this DVD and prepare to Snatch a Giant Snooze.

Every time the situation in Israel flares up I catch this movie. No, it is not the definitive movie on the creation of Israel from a military standpoint. What it is, is a good first try to show the overwhelming odds the fledging nation faced with no support form outside. The cast of so many good actors shows that everyone in Hollywood wanted a piece of this one. If you read the biography on Mickey Marcus, which this movie prompted me to do, you would want to be in any movie about this Giant. F.Y.I General Marcus is the ONLY U.S. ARMY OFFICER TO BE A GENERAL IN TWO COUNTRIES ARMY'S. That is worth a movie attempt even if it comes out poorly.