Customer Reviews

Frontline: The Longest Hatred: A Revealing History of Anti-Semitism

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A very comprehensive documentary feature on anti-semitism, "The Longest Hatred" not only covers the fact that the hatred of the Jews is rampant, but examines the history of this hatred, as well as the possible causes. We are taken back in history, to Jesus Christ, Muhammad, and the horrors of the Final Solution. The hatred does not stop there, as the film shows.

I found the analysis of the Christian hatred towards Jews particularly intriguing. Christians are generally considered to be more moderate than Muslims, yet it took the Pope two thousand years to absolve the Jews of the murder of Jesus Christ. Even after the absolution, even after the horrors of the WWII, strong anti-semitism persisted in such places as Poland, Russia and Germany. As an eloquent Russian Orthodox priest said - people tend to forget that Jesus Christ himself, as well as his mother, Virgin Mary, were indeed Jews themselves. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was the product of the time that Christ lived in. Many forget that the Christian Church itself dealt severely with anyone challenging Christianity. Why would have the Romans and Jews behaved differently two thousand years ago?

We are also shown the battle between Arabs and Israelis, the battle that has monopolized our news broadcasts, and the film makers take us to different parts of the globe to seek answers. Of course, everything boils down to propaganda spewed by an extremist few, who decidedly poison minds and hearts in order to gain domination.

"The Longest Hatred" is an excellent documentary, amazingly level-headed and impartial that should be mandatory viewing for all who wonder how the hatred came about, or even if the hatred is valid. One should know that no hatred is ever valid, as no good can come out of it. But being that we are human, we are subject to these emotions, and the least we can do is try to understand the roots of these emotions. Highly recommended.

This PBS Frontline is a very good beginning point for anyone who has little knowledge of the history of anti-semitism. It should be required viewing for younger people. "The Longest Hatred" points to the value of making a historical record that cannot be denied. By documenting the true historical record in a way that can be understood by many, and denied by none, this film increases the chance (if ever so slightly)that genocide will not occur again.

This is a copy of a PBS mini-series, marvelously filmed on location, filled with facts, interviews with "in your face" and "in your gut" scenes. It explains the Jewish/Arab conflict from the very beginning to date and permits the viewer to see the WHY from both sides. It is long for one viewing - but invite friends over, have refreshments, watch the DVD and follow it with HOURS of discussion. Our Bible Study group spent 8 hours and throughly enjoyed the education and enlightenment it provided to our study on Israel. Now when we see the news we know what has preceded the action. I would consider this a must see for everyone who wants to be informed about the confict in the Near East!

One of the better documentaries about a subject Christians usually don't want to discuss as we would need to face up to the truth that we have either done nothing to stop it or contributed to make it worse. A timely reminder to face the hard facts in history that Christians have been the greatest persecutors of Jews and not the Muslims!

Very good in giving the history and roots of anti-semitism, but when dealing with the Shoah (as far as I remember)Norway was never mentioned. I am a Norvegian Shoah survivor and Norway had the highest % og their about 1000 Jews sent to Germany and Norway was the first country to deny Jews political asylum in 1926. However, there were many heroic Norwegians who put their lives at risk to save Jews by either hiding them (like me and my mother) or bringing them to Sweden. Also, Norwegians helped out with shipment of arms to USSR and stopped the Germans to bring its arsenal og heavy water (of which atomic weapons can be made) out of Norway to Germany.

This presentation was very interesting and informative from a Jewish perspective; especially for non-Jewish observers like me. For many years I have been interested in the history and lives of God's chosen people; to try to understand their culture and why the world has shown them such hatred toward them. This DVD has narratives which point to the Christian's persecution of the Jews - but, more accurately, the Jews were persecuted by the Catholic Church; not by Bible believing Christians.
This presentation should be filtered through a basic knowledge of the Catholic inquisitions in which ALL non-Catholics were martyred for not converting whether they be Jews, muslins or Christians.
Nevertheless, I can feel just some the pain of persecution which they have suffered over the centuries and only wish there was some end in site.

This is a documentary that takes a look at anti-Semitism through the ages. It is very well done and well worth watching.

This documentary explains in short, the history of the Jewish people and how Anti-Semietism first started..it is brilliantly done. The interviews portraid are opinionated from both sides, from the Catholic church to Jewish professors of history to Arab media spokespeople to Professors and teachers of English/History in Egypt. In short it is portraid slightly in favor of the Jewish, but still has a great view of opposition from Europeans and Arabs. What really makes the documentary is the Narrorator, his name is Gene Galusha (best known as Narrorator for Discovery Channel's "New Detectives") Gene does an outstanding job and really brings this documentary an intriguing cohesiveness. Great job Gene! Your name needs to be on documentary description as to who the Narrorator is..