Educational Media Reviews Online

This work is the first part of a history of the modern state of Israel, taking us from 1947 to just after the Six-Day War of June 1967. However, as a prologue, the production begins with footage of remarks given by the late Yitzahk Rabin on the occasion of the signing of the 1993 peace accord. From this prologue we are treated to an exceptionally well-produced video that employs still photos, movie reels, interviews with participants, as well as excellent narration by Michael Douglas, Ed Asner, and Anne Bancroft among others to tell the story of these twenty years. Besides the story of the conflicts of 1947-48, 1956, and 1967 we are told the story of the immigration of vast numbers of Jews from the Mediterranean and Arab worlds as well as the conflict between them and the Jews of European origin among other events. This history is told in generally chronological manner and is definitely pro-Israel, but is willing to show a few warts. The technical side of this production is excellent, as befits this award-winning studio. Sound (effects, music, and voice) and visuals (both moving and still) are clear and skillfully rendered. Some of the footage may not be of the event described, but it does suit the purpose of this production well.

The production company, Moriah Films, has inserted a five-minute promotional piece about themselves at the beginning of this copy.

The only technical glitches were approximately ninety seconds of blank screen in this copy as well as a few instances of the tracking not being consistent. These are, hopefully, problems of copying and not of the master.

This particular production will do well in high school, undergraduate, and public libraries.