Product Details

• Actors: Chuck Olin, Documentary Film
• Directors: Chuck Olin
• Format: Black & White, Color, Full length, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: January 20, 1998
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0963836536
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,553 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Gene Siskel/Roger Ebert, Siskel & Ebert, May, 1998

Two thumbs up. A fascinating movie.... A great thriller as well as a documentary.

Product Description

Set within the magnitude of the Second World War and its aftermath, "In Our Own Hands" reveals for the first time the secret history of the only all-Jewish fighting unit in World War II. Combining the best impulses of "Schindler's List" with the bold antics of "The Dirty Dozen," "In Our Own Hands" introduces audiences to this unique band of soldiers through historical footage and unforgettable interviews. The program offers viewers interested in general and/or Jewish history, as well as WWII buffs, a compelling story of courage and intrigue, justice and revenge, survival and hope.

Like the famed black Tuskegee Airmen and the much-decorated Japanese-American 442nd Infantry, the Jewish Brigade -- young volunteers from what was then Palestine -- had to overcome great prejudice just to be allowed to fight in the British army as Jews. At last receiving their chance, the men of the Brigade faced the Germans in fierce combat during the final Allied offensive in the north of Italy, and came away victorious. Though the war in Europe ended soon after, for these young volunteers from Palestine -- many of whom lost families in the Holocaust -- their war had just begun.

In the first year after the war, Brigade soldiers masterminded one clandestine operation after the next throughout Europe. They formed secret vengeance squads to assassinate Nazi officers in hiding, engineered the rescue and illegal movement of Holocaust survivors to Palestine, and engaged in widespread arms theft for Israel's future War of Independence -- all under the noses of the Allied Armies.

More than anything, "In Our Own Hands" is a story of courage and imagination, providing survivors the missing link between the ruined world that was Europe and hope for a new life in a country of their own.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!, September 29, 2005

By 

Rodger Rosenberg "akavedge" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Our Own Hands - The Hidden Story of the Jewish Brigade in World War II (DVD)

A unique piece of history which shows a story I had never heard of. This is a MUST for any Jew, hostory buff, or anyone who wants to see the a real story of the human spirit at its best!!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Jewish Story I Never Knew, April 16, 2008

By 

M. Barbara Haas "Cookey" (Lutherville, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Our Own Hands - The Hidden Story of the Jewish Brigade in World War II (DVD)

I never knew there was a All-Jewish Brigade in WWII. Religion or race do not affect one's ability to fight. Everyone is just afraid of Jews. Once taught how to be soldiers,they were quick learners and gleaned all the knowledge their teachers had to give. Their assignments were not of too much importance until their last assignment and what they did when the war in Europe was over. Look at the Jewish State of Israel today. They have the best fighting team in the world, the best spy network, they are on constant alert or they would be driven into the sea!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important, complex history, great storytelling, May 15, 2000

By 

Eric Antonow (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Our Own Hands: The Hidden Story of the Jewish Brigade in World War II [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Previously untold story of the not-so-simple history of theJewish Brigade. This WWII fighting unit represents a foundation of theIsraeli warrior spirit and the source of that country's strength and limitations. Though the two key episodes are fighting/avenging Germans in the final days of the war and helping refugees on their exodus to Israel, the metaphor and the message are suspended between these two actions. How rage and destruction couple with salvation and rebirth to form the soul of a nation. Accessible to people with no historic or cultural background in the subject matter.