Customer Reviews

Snow in August

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

 

 

The year is 1947, the place an Irish Catholic neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Michael (Peter Tambakis) finds himself caught in a freak snowstorm one August afternoon and steps into a nearby doorway to warm up. Once inside he encounters a bearded man named Judah (Stephen Rea), a lonely, disillusioned rabbi recently arrived from Czechoslovakia.

They become friends and before long Judah is sharing his Jewish faith with the young boy along with wonderous tales of kabbalistic folklore and mysticism. However Michael soon discovers that some people in the neighborhood don't approve of his new acquaintance, or others of the Jewish faith for that matter. For the first time in his short life Michael is exposed to anti-semitic behavior by a group of local teenagers. When the rabbi is badly beaten by one of the bullies Michael looks for a way to stop the violence.

He asks the rabbi if the stories he has been telling him are true, or at least one in particular. A medieval tale about a Golem, an artifical creation made of clay fashioned in human form. A creature of immense strength that according to legend could be brought to life through a prescribed set of Hebrew prayers and rituals. It would be a 'Warrior of God' that could stand against the neighborhood bullies. He asks Judah if it's possible. Responding with a hesitant maybe, Michael is off to attempt the unimaginable.

"Snow in August" was made on a small budget for television and it shows in the production values. However if you stay with it you'll discover that the story is really quite good and its message of tolerance and understanding is one we should never get tired of hearing.

This movie teaches a lot about how hateful prejudice and stereotypes can be (in this case, antisemitism). It is a movie about how a little boy learns that what he thought was so was completely wrong. It shows how a friendship can blossom between two people of diverse cultures who are also very far apart in age...and how they can learn from each other to the mutual benefit of not only both of them, but for an entire neighborhood. Furthermore, it is as close to the original book as I have ever seen. This is a thoroughly enjoyable movie (AND book!).

I teach a high-functioning, multiply-handicapped inclusion class. We were working on the theme of bullying and I showed several movies with examples of this theme. "Snow in August" has wonderful examples of bullying and possible consequences. Both students and staff were captivated, fully involved -- booing the "bad guys" and cheering the "good guys." I highly recommend this movie for its characters, its story, its history, and, of course, its lessons.

After reading the book this film is quite relevant. Of course in a movie things have to be compressed. It was an excellant movie for a low budget movie. If you lived in the 40's and 50's it took you right back. If you live today you are aware that things just don't change much. If you are poor there is no way the police can help or protect you. The only escape is through knowledge, fantasy, belief, and cunning.

See the movie then read the book!

An 11 year old boy witness a older Jewish store owner getting beat up badly by a hoodlum. He refuses to snitch but the hoodlum thinks he may have (or will). The boy, Micheal, is an intelligent Irish Catholic who wants to do the right thing but isn't sure what it is. His loyalty to street rules clouds his judgment but he grows up that summer, partly due to his new friendship with a rabbi.

It's a low budget movie but it's a very good one. Great acting and a good script. I cried toward the end. It's the kind of movie you want your kids to watch and I think they would actually enjoy it.

Snow In August is a marvelous novel from the New York based writer, Pete Hamill. In the book he explores the mysticism of the Eastern European Jews and how it was brought here to the U.S. by Holocaust survivors , and, more importantly, how it affects a young Irish American boy in Brooklyn, New York.
This film is an accurate telling of the book, but not nearly as good.( which movie is ever as good as the book ?) It lacks the depth and emotion, although the actors do a good job with the material they have. The final explosive scene is dissapointing because it lacks the imagination the reader has to come up with in order to reslove this scene.
The central theme of the story is the relationship between this boy, a rabbi, and his blue collar life. The conflict is, of course, is which of these two worlds is more important. The knowledge of a saged rabbi, or the hustle street life of his thug neighbors and friends. Or, which is more important to the rabbi, his learned life, or his involvement with the boy and his surroundings ? It is a coming of age film, but who is it ? The boy or the rabbi ?
I would say, if this story interests you, and you have alot of time,read the book. If the story interests you, and you're not a reader, you may enjoy this film

I enjoyed the DVD, it helped me understand the book better.

Could not believe how quickly I received this great dvd!!! Wonderful movie and even better service. Will not hesitate to purchase again.

It has a bit of about everything. Christianity meets our Cousin Judaism in this movie. A young Catholic kid befriends a sweet Jewish Rabbi, after he witnesses an Irish hoodlum/gang member beat an old Jewish storekeeper near to death. The kid makes the wrong decision and decides not to be a "stooley" and he and his Irish mother, and his dear friend, the Rabbi pay the price. If you don't know what a "Golem" is (or Kabbala is) then you will in this movie. The Catholic kid creates a Golem after the Rabbi tell him how - by speaking the true name of God and using a magical spoon - over a earthen/clay, rather large figure. A Golem knows how to protect and stop attacks on Jews. It instinctively and/or is programed to know. Just as Michael the Archangel protects Israel.

This movie shows how to make the wrong decision by protecting bullies. And worse - the error of continuing to protect them, when they know you can put them away for the crimes they commit. You are then in their eyes a serious threat. And your life - and the lives of your family are then in serious danger. A childlike FAITH is what makes it all happen. /s/ Steve @ BibleProbe.com

Movie started off as a very good movie but the end was quite ridiculous. Bringing in the Kabbala fantasy made this movie not worth watching. Who makes movies like this. I would not want my kids to watch this movie.