"Cast a Giant Shadow" is a highly fictionalized account of the life of Col. David 'Mickey' Marcus during his years helping the new state of Israel get off the ground. Specifically, he was an American officer from WW II who was hired by the new Israeli government to establish and train the new nation's army. Besides the biographical aspects, this film has some historical significance in showing the plight of the early years of the new Jewish nation. It shows the inexperience of the young men and some women who made up the army. Marcus trained these people and then commanded the Israel Defense Forces during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948.
Kirk Douglas is very good in the role of Marcus. The early scenes of the picture - before Marcus gets to work in Israel, look like a top cast list of Hollywood. John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Angie Dickinson, Senta Berger, Topol, Gordon Jackson, Jeremy Kemp and more. Dickinson plays Mickey's wife, Emma Marcus, who stays in New York. Berger is a Jewish woman who becomes part of Marcus 's life. The film shows the success of the early leadership by Marcus in shaping up Israel so that it can survive Especially in in those early years, the new nation had to contend with neighboring Arab states that were then hostile toward Israel.
Again, the character of Marcus and some of his exploits and work are fictionalized But this film, based on a book by Ted Berkman, is a good look at the trials and travails of the earliest years of the new nation of Israel.
Kirk Douglas is very good in the role of Marcus. The early scenes of the picture - before Marcus gets to work in Israel, look like a top cast list of Hollywood. John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Angie Dickinson, Senta Berger, Topol, Gordon Jackson, Jeremy Kemp and more. Dickinson plays Mickey's wife, Emma Marcus, who stays in New York. Berger is a Jewish woman who becomes part of Marcus 's life. The film shows the success of the early leadership by Marcus in shaping up Israel so that it can survive Especially in in those early years, the new nation had to contend with neighboring Arab states that were then hostile toward Israel.
Again, the character of Marcus and some of his exploits and work are fictionalized But this film, based on a book by Ted Berkman, is a good look at the trials and travails of the earliest years of the new nation of Israel.