Exodus (1960)

Introduction

Exodus (1960) is one of the most ambitious and significant epic dramas of the mid-20th century. Directed by Otto Preminger and adapted by Dalton Trumbo from Leon Uris’s bestselling 1958 novel, the film tackles the founding of the State of Israel through a highly dramatized, yet emotionally resonant narrative. With a sprawling runtime and an ensemble cast led by Paul Newman, Exodus is both a cinematic spectacle and a politically charged historical saga.

Plot Summary

Set in the aftermath of World War II, Exodus follows the efforts of Jewish Holocaust survivors and underground fighters to escape British internment in Cyprus and emigrate to Palestine. The film's central figure is Ari Ben Canaan (Paul Newman), a passionate and pragmatic Haganah operative committed to the Zionist cause.

The film begins with the boarding of the SS Exodus, a ship carrying over 600 Jewish refugees. The British blockade their departure, but Ari, with cunning and sheer will, manoeuvres to set sail despite international tensions. From there, the story widens its scope to address the complexity of Arab-Jewish conflict, British colonial rule, and the diverse ideological currents among Jewish factions.

Exodus integrates romance, with American nurse Kitty Fremont (Eva Marie Saint) developing a relationship with Ari, as well as a subplot involving Dov Landau (Sal Mineo), a young Holocaust survivor who becomes radicalized and joins the Irgun, a militant Zionist group.

Themes

The film explores several major themes:

Post-Holocaust Jewish Identity: Exodus deals profoundly with the trauma of the Holocaust and the Jewish people’s longing for a homeland.

Colonialism and Nationalism: The film presents a critical view of British imperial policy and shows varying Jewish responses to it—from diplomacy to armed resistance.

Moral Ambiguity of Violence: Through characters like Dov and the depiction of terrorist attacks, Exodus grapples with the ethical dimensions of revolutionary violence.

Romantic Idealism vs Political Realism: The relationship between Ari and Kitty is emblematic of the tension between personal feelings and nationalistic duty.

Performances

Paul Newman as Ari Ben Canaan is the emotional and ideological centre of the film. Though his Israeli accent is inconsistent, Newman’s charisma, intensity, and resolve make him compelling and believable.

Eva Marie Saint brings quiet strength and moral clarity to Kitty Fremont, although her character often feels like an audience surrogate rather than a fully fleshed-out individual.

Sal Mineo, in an Oscar-nominated role, delivers one of the film’s most powerful performances. His portrayal of a young man torn between grief, anger, and identity politics adds depth and a sense of tragedy.

Ralph Richardson and Lee J. Cobb provide gravitas as British and Jewish authority figures, respectively, reflecting the era’s generational and political divides.

Direction and Cinematography

Otto Preminger directs with a stately, methodical pace that matches the film’s epic scale. He shoots on location in Israel and Cyprus, lending the film a striking authenticity. The natural landscapes and historical sites bolster the realism and immerse the viewer in the setting.

Preminger’s refusal to use standard Hollywood melodrama techniques (e.g., overt sentimentality, swelling musical cues in romantic scenes) gives the film a serious tone but can also make it feel emotionally distant at times.

The cinematography by Sam Leavitt captures the Mediterranean sun, barren hills, and bustling refugee camps with painterly care, using long takes and wide compositions to emphasize the human scale against history.

Score

The film’s score, composed by Ernest Gold, is one of its most enduring elements. The main theme, often referred to as the “Exodus Song,” became iconic, symbolizing not just the film but also the larger cultural mythos surrounding the founding of Israel. The lush orchestration and emotive motifs underscore the film’s epic intentions.

Historical Accuracy and Political Reception

Exodus was, and remains, a deeply political film. Released during a time when the West was still forming its narratives around the creation of Israel and the Middle East conflict, it presented a sympathetic portrayal of Zionism and painted the British and Arabs in often simplistic or negative terms.

While the film was celebrated by many Jewish communities and Zionist supporters, it also received criticism for its lack of nuance regarding the Palestinian experience and for romanticizing certain violent actions. It largely omits Arab perspectives and simplifies the complex political and ethnic tensions into a binary moral struggle.

Cultural Impact

Exodus had a major impact on public perception of Israel’s founding, especially among American and European audiences. It helped to mythologize the founding of the state and made Zionism accessible and emotionally compelling to viewers unfamiliar with the region’s politics.

Its influence extended beyond cinema. It contributed to popularizing the Israeli cause in the West and became a reference point for Jewish identity in post-Holocaust culture.

Criticisms

Length and Pacing: At nearly three and a half hours, the film can feel sluggish. Some plot threads feel underdeveloped or overly didactic.

Character Development: While Ari and Dov are well fleshed out, others, especially Kitty and many Arab characters, are underwritten or reduced to narrative devices.

Ideological Bias: The film's pro-Zionist stance, though understandable given the context, leads to an overly simplistic narrative at times.

Conclusion

Exodus (1960) is a bold, emotionally charged, and politically significant film. It stands as a testament to Hollywood’s ability to address weighty historical subjects through epic storytelling. Despite its flaws—chiefly its ideological bias and lack of nuance—it remains a milestone in political cinema and an enduring example of the mid-century epic.

A stirring and thought-provoking historical drama, if viewed with critical awareness of its context and perspective.