Cast A Giant Shadow (1966)

I came across this movie by accident and am really glad that I did. It is a great movie. It is the kind of war movie that you have to love: great fight scenes, famous cast, based on a true story and transcends a time or group of people. Kirk Douglas plays the main character : Mickey Marcus. Angie Dickinson plays his wife, Emma. Yul Brynner, Senta Berger, Topol,  Frank Sinatra and John Wayne  help round out the star-studded cast. Marcus was a real person. An American who served his country bravely and proudly during World War 2 and made a name for himself. He then went to help the Jews in Palestine as they prepared for the Arab invasions and battles in the newly-formed Israel. He used his West Point training and his bravery to mold the civilians - some just off the boats  - into what would become the Israel Defense Forces. His work along with the dedication of ordinary men, women and children to fight (with their bare hands if needed) stopped the Arabs from taking Israel and murdering them all - which is what the countries that fought (and continue to fight) Israel call for. The fact that Marcus was an American and that the US was the first nation to recognize Israel shows how strong the relationship is between our two countries. While other nations openly support those that call for the destruction of Israel and the Jews the US-Israeli bond has only grown stronger over the decades. No nation who every attacked Israel since 1948 has won and I do not believe that any ever will. The Israelis know that while the Arabs and Muslims that fight them can loose many wars and continue on as a people if Israel loses just one war it will be the end of 60 + years.

This movie is universal. You do not have to be Israeli or Jewish (I'm not) to see and appreciate its message: good people can not stand by and watch bad things happen. You have to help in whatever way you can. Also any country that has been constantly attacked (invasions, battles, wars, suicide bombs and missiles) during the past 65 years and yet continues to remain the sole democracy in the Middle East and not only respects the freedoms that the rest of the world does but also thrives proves that Israel and the Jews are a strong force that deserve the respect and support of other democracies.