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Cast a Giant Shadow

Play trailer Poster for Cast a Giant Shadow Released Mar 30, 1966 2h 22m War Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 51% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In this fact-based film, distinguished U.S. Army Col. David Marcus (Kirk Douglas) is enlisted by the Israelis to perform the difficult task of preparing their fledgling nation for battle against the Arabs. Before long, he feuds with the local leaders, quits his post and goes back home to his pregnant wife (Angie Dickinson) in the United States. However, Marcus, who is Jewish himself, soon has a crisis of faith and decides to return to duty to help the untrained Israelis form an army.

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Cast a Giant Shadow

Critics Reviews

View All (3) Critics Reviews
Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Kirk Douglas is fine as legendary Israeli leader. Nice guest stars (John Wayne, etc.). Rated: 4/5 Feb 22, 2008 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The results add up to a superficial biopic that casts anything but a giant shadow. Rated: C- Oct 18, 2005 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 2/5 Oct 9, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (32) audience reviews
Anastasios G Can’t recommend a film that glorifies the origins of the genocidal state-sponsored terrorist force that has liquidated, imprisoned, tortured, humiliated and dispossessed tens of thousands of Palestinians since 1948. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Franky L This is a fascinating true story of past WWII Isreal. Held my attention, and had an all star cast. Sometimes humorous, but quite a serious historical account. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/10/24 Full Review Steve D It's script is weak and it hammers the foreshadowing far too much. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I can't see any low rating for this movie being anything other than political. The cast does a great job telling a story that is impossible to believe yet is 100% true. Five nations attacked Israel hours after the United States recognized it, and beyond all hope and reason Israel survived. John Wayne, Yule Brinner and Frank Sinatra all have minor speaking rolls. Think about that statement in context with 1966. They were all major stars. Kirk Douglas heads up a huge cast that delivers. Historical accuracy for this film is one of its greatest features. Well directed, edited and shot in color, this film is a must for anyone who counts themself a history buff. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review SICKS6SIX One of the worst WW2 films I've ever seen, and there are a lot of bad WW2 films, no one in this film deserves any positive comments, that includes the scriptwriters, the wardrobe Dept and set makers and design, it is just awful, Angie Dickinson is parachuted in from 1977 (and looks very 1977) for eye candy I suppose, She struts about speaking some of the most ridiculous lines ever spoken in a motion picture, I couldn't get to the end and I can and do watch anything. It looks at times if it's about to turn into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, it has the surreal of another world and time feel to it, like Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse invade Germany. Imagine Disney making Apocalypse Now and instead of Brando they used Jerry Lewis in the lead role, well now you have this film ! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/27/22 Full Review Audience Member Definitely dated. Prime golden age of hollywood film which makes me question its objectivity and credibility telling this important story. Douglas and Brenner appear to be the only actors who are engaged in the story. All the other stars seem to be doing a walk through. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 05/24/20 Full Review Read all reviews
Cast a Giant Shadow

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this fact-based film, distinguished U.S. Army Col. David Marcus (Kirk Douglas) is enlisted by the Israelis to perform the difficult task of preparing their fledgling nation for battle against the Arabs. Before long, he feuds with the local leaders, quits his post and goes back home to his pregnant wife (Angie Dickinson) in the United States. However, Marcus, who is Jewish himself, soon has a crisis of faith and decides to return to duty to help the untrained Israelis form an army.
Director
Melville Shavelson
Producer
Melville Shavelson, Michael Wayne
Screenwriter
Melville Shavelson
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Batjac Productions, Mirisch Corporation, Bryna Productions
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 30, 1966, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 28, 2017
Runtime
2h 22m
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