Slaves of the Sword Series 2003
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Liran Atzmor and Noemi Schory
Directed by Paul Jenkins
VHS, color, 3 tapes, 56 min. each
College - Adult
Political Science, Middle Eastern Studies, Biography, Area Studies, Military Studies, History
Date Entered: 11/03/2004
Reviewed by Douglas Reed, Department of Political Science, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARThe Israeli-Palestinian struggle remains one of the most important concerns for the international community. This conflict continues to have regional and global ramifications.
The Slaves of the Sword series provides an interesting assessment of the Israeli political scene. Chronicling the careers of three Israeli generals – Moshe Dayan, Yitzhak Rabin, and Ariel Sharon – the documentary portrays the high and low points of their individual political experiences. A common theme is the impact military leadership had on their decision making styles. Moreover, their military experiences seem to shape initial approaches to the Palestinian question.
Part one critiques the career of Moshe Dayan, the hero of the Six Day War. Dayan later falls into public disfavor over the handling of the Yom Kippur War. Part two examines the intriguing path of Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin is the first head of state to be born in Israel and his military background seems to foreshadow a hard-line approach toward the Palestinians. However, Rabin takes steps to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and at the time of his assassination seems to be pursuing a course that would eventually lead to an independent Palestinian state.
Current Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is the subject of the third documentary in the series. Sharon is probably the most controversial figure in these evaluations. His involvement in the Lebanon invasion, the only war initiated by Israel, remains a contentious issue within the Israeli society. Moreover, this portion of the documentary looks to the future. It raises questions about the future of Jewish settlements and the overall prospects for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A key strength of the series is its effort to provide a balanced view of these Israeli leaders. Friends, family members, allies, and critics provide their perspectives on each individual. In addition, the films are visually appealing. They effectively combine historical footage, personal interviews, and political commentary. Overall, this series provides greater insight into the foreign and domestic policy choices of the Israeli government. It assists in understanding the mindset and decisions made by these political leaders.
The Slaves of the Sword series was an entry in the 2004 Vancouver International Film Festival.
Highly recommended for academic and public libraries.