3 hours of gritty, often tense, drama.

The film was not what I was expecting, and towrds the end I was willing it to end. That does not mean, however, that it was not a gret film. This was, but I was surprised at the almost knocking of the Israeli goverment that there was in the film. I think Spielberg was maybe trying to show that those in power had lost sight of their chosen-ness, of why they should be different. I wonder if he was trying to show the futility of the argument on both sides.

There was a poignant moment when opposing sides met each other in a ‘safe house’. I won’t share too much or you will moan at for me for messing up the plot – but this 10 or so minute scene showed both sides to be human, both sides to be searching for home, both sides passionate, both scared, both with loved ones, both fighting for their families. A little later in the film the same two people are ‘on mission’ and trying to gun each other down in the street.

This film is, I think, summed up in 2 quotes:

In the latter half of the fime, Robert says: ‘We are supposed to be righteous! I lose that, that’s my soul!’

Very near the beginning of the film Golda Meir (the Israeli PM) says ‘Forget peace for now. We have to show them we’re strong.’

two distinct outlooks, one of the people, one of government.

Go see the film – but as Johnny says – take food supplies for the marathon!