Customer Reviews

Blood and Tears

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Blood and Tears: The Arab-Israeli Conflict" is an interesting and informative documentary that attempts a nearly impossible feat: to sort out the tangled mess that is the Middle East in a way that might make the whole thing just a little more comprehensible for those of us not intimately connected with the history of the region. It's an ambitious and valiant goal for a movie that runs a mere 74 minutes, but, overall, it succeeds remarkably well in its endeavor.

The movie takes an essentially chronological approach to the material, beginning all the way back in Biblical times, though its main focus is on the key events of the 20th and 21st Centuries - namely, the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the continuing, violent struggle between the Israelis and Palestinians that has been raging over it ever since. (Note: the movie was made prior to the Lebanon-Israeli conflict of summer 2006). The film is remarkably fair in its presentation, providing, through interviews with some of the key players in the region, a generous array of viewpoints culled from various sides of the issue. In a way, this makes the movie even more depressing, for while the film is enlightening its audience on many of the facts of the situation, that enlightenment only emphasizes how truly deep-seated and intractable many of the root problems are that divide the two warring factions. For while the Palestinians and the Israelis may be speaking of some of the very same incidents and events, the antagonists often come to diametrically opposed conclusions about those events. Clearly, despite occasional halting efforts towards non-violent solutions and diplomacy, as well as a sense of optimism in the closing moments of the movie, it sadly doesn't appear as if peace will be coming any time soon to the region.

The goal of the movie is certainly not to offer a "solution" to a problem that has eluded some of the greatest peace-loving minds of the past couple of centuries. It is, instead, to provide the kind of objective information we need to better our understanding of the situation. And that the movie does very well indeed.

"Making a documentary film about the history of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would be balanced,
thorough and entertaining appears, at first site, to be just
as monumental an undertaking as actually ending the
conflict itself. Yet acclaimed producer/director Isidore
Rosmarin and co-writer Jeff Helmreich took to the task
anyway, coming up with a remarkable piece of
documentary filmmaking aptly called "Blood and Tears."
Interviewing officials andlaypeople from both sides --
from Benjamin Netanyahu to the leaders of Hamas --
Rosmarin creates a pastiche of opinions and viewpoints,
never failing to root them in an artfully constructed
web of facts and figures. The result is awe-inspiring;
like all great pieces of documentary cinema,
this one, too, weds the real and the perceived,
the concrete and the emotional, challenging even the
most deep-set of beliefs. Particularly now, when the
situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories is more
fragile than ever, this is a must-see." Jewish Week

Blood and Tears is the best film I have seen so far covering the arab israeli conflict. Its unbiased footing gives you a real feel for what both sides are going through. The film takes you through the long history on both sides, and really makes you feel the true arguments and feelings that both have for the land of Israel.

The interviews are great featuring some of the biggest names from both sides of the conflict. The footage in the film show excellent and candid pictures of life in the conflict.

I would highly reccomend Blood and Tears to anyone who has any interest in this international conflict, looking for an unbiased, and easy to understand approach.

Even those of you who know nothing about this conflict will learn a great deal, and still be entertained when watching Blood and Tears.

There was little-to-no percievable bias. Would do well as a teaching tool, but is passable as edutainment, as well. Even though the production was of a lower level, I forgot all about that. Who would have thought this level of unbias could be achieved?

I now have the plight of Palestine in my heart, but with the advantage of knowledge. And I now completely get the Israeli struggle, as well.

The sadness lies in the fact they are both victims. It's a very sad situation, indeed.

Damn, Brit's!

Fast paced, entertaining and thoughtful, with interview pieces of many on "both sides". Not with the strong opinionated POV you usually hear/see when encountering this subject. An excellent current primer on the factors and people involved in this seemingly intractable conflict. Short on answers --but so have been the last "20 leaders" involved with this subject. Reduces conflict to human values, which itself is an advance over the polemics often heard.

SUMMARY OF SELECT PRAISE FOR "BLOOD AND TEARS"

As you may imagine, I have seen a good deal of material on the Israel-Palestine conflict and other Middle eastern matters, and I was the more impressed by the fairness and balance with which "Blood and Tears" managed to present and explain the issues, the different interests involved, and--not quite the same thing--the different points of view. I must congratulate you on a remarkable achievement, and wish you all success."

Dr. Bernard Lewis, Professor Emeritus, Near Eastern Studies Dept. Princeton University **************************************************************************

"Blood and Tears" is a powerful, must-see film for all of us concerned about the dangerous direction the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is taking. It reminds us of our common humanity and the need to pull back from the brink.

Prof. Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University *************************************************************************

"Blood and Tears" is an outstanding and dramatic film that cries out to be watched by all who care about the Israeli-Arab conflict and about world peace. Its balanced presentation encourages viewers to decide for themselves after seeing all sides of a complicated and never-ending issue."

Alan Dershowitz, Professor of Law, Harvard University **************************************************************************

"Blood and Tears" proves that it is possible to present the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians fairly and with understanding for both sides. Pain and suffering is not unique to only one side, and everyone needs to see how and why this conflict evolved. This is an excellent documentary that has extraordinary value."

Ambassador Dennis Ross, Chief Mideast Negotiator, Clinton Administration
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"The landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is strewn with truths and semi-truths, with myths and semi-myths, with heartfelt emotions on both sides. "Blood and Tears" leads us to the unmistakable conclusion that many Israelis and many Palestinians want to tackle the problem, want to solve it on the basis of pragmatic justice. It will enhance the confidence of the advocates of peace on both sides, and so contribute to the beginnings of a real movement toward a permanent and just solution."

Muhammad Muslih, Scholar of Islamic Studies, Long Island University
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"Blood and Tears" is a powerful, comprehensive and provocative documentary about the Middle East conflict. It cuts through the propaganda, the political intransigence and religious extremism--not telling the viewer what to think, but how to think."

Annette Insdorf, Professor of Film, Columbia University
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"Blood and Tears" is a compelling and provocative film that elucidates the history, passions and pain that underlie the struggle between Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land with balance, fairness, sensitivity and accuracy."

Dr. Walter Reich, Professor of International Affairs, the George Washington University
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Great documentary on the conflict, defanitly worth the view. There is virtually no bias at all to any side in this documentary. You get opinions from alot of important people and figures. Highly reccomend viewing this.

this documentary does a very good job of clearly explaining a very complicated issue - interesting, comprehensive, and most importantly, it provides great perspective. As a professor, I have used it with my students as an entry point to the issue.

"Blood and Tears" could not water down the history of Israel and the Palestinian conflict anymore. I bought this based on the 4 star amazon reviews and was severely disappointed. This "documentary" makes very little effort providing a historical context and facts for its assertions. It spends much of its time citing hearsay and opinions from the different parties involved. Although many big names are interviewed in this "documentary", it is generally the opinions that are expressed at critical times are those that are sympathetic to Israel.

As an educator I am continuously looking for an unbiased take on the history of the conflict. This "documentary" is not suitable for the classroom. The "Search for Destiny" documentary series better chronicles the history of the struggle by including historical footage for the events from movietones and archived news reels.