THE JERUSALEM FILE
US/Israel, 1971, 96 minutes, Colour.
Bruce Davison, Nicol Williamson, Daria Halprin, Donald Pleasence, Ian Hendry.
Directed by John Flynn.
The Jerusalem File is a thriller, making use of Israeli locations and the political background of the late 60s, the Six- Day War, and growing tension between Israel and the Arabs. Like all thrillers with intricate plots, it needs concentrated attention. The Israeli questions evoke emotional responses. Issues are not clear, nor are the resolutions of the film. The cast is a mixture of American and British actors, with the British far stronger in the performances of Nicol Williamson and Donald Pleasence. In many ways, the film is a routine
political thriller, using techniques popular from television; but it is interesting and entertaining.
1. The impact of the credit sequences, with the clicking style?
2. The nature of the Jerusalem File itself?
3. This film was made in Israel - was this an advantage? Visually?
4. Did the film present clearly the issues in Israel in 1967 and after the Six-Day? War?
5. Did the film take a political stance, supporting Jews or Arabs?
6. The file on Rashid - the impact of the police information on Rashid and the nature of the File? The impact of the assassination attempt on Rashid?
7. The character of David Armstrong as a focal point for a non-Israeli audience. Audience identification with David Armstrong? His understanding of the political situation? His being shot? His being interrogated?
8. The character of Professor Lang - what was he doing in Israel? His involvement in Israel and his work? His relationship with Nurit? His concern for David Armstrong? An interesting personality? Was he a sympathetic character?
9. Major Samuels - as a central character? How interesting a personality? How important for the plot? As a focus for the audience - for or against Israel? Samuels as a policeman - the nature of police-work in Jerusalem? His diplomacy and intrigue?
10. General Mayer and his importance in Jerusalem - the mind behind the police work in Israel? His diplomacy with foreign visitors - his wanting to deport David Armstrong, his use of David Armstrong and Professor Lang and their students for information about plots?
11. Nurit and her friends - were they typical Arabs? Did you understand what they were doing? Their actions, their motivations, their ideals?
12. How much of the idealism in Israel is the idealism of youth longing for independence and change? What impression did the film give?
13. Comment on the dramatic impact of the group under attack near the jeep on the archaeological site. Did this bring home the reality of the guerrilla warfare in Israel?
14. The final meeting - its significance and meaning? Who was using whom in these political negotiations? Nurit and her relationship both to Professor Lang and David? David and his friendship and loyalties, his friendship with Rashid? How was David being used by Samuels and General Mayer?
15. The impact of the meeting and the deaths of the young people at the meeting? What purpose did this serve?
16. What comment did the film make on life and ideals in Israel today? Was it a valuable comment or not? Did the film, even though entertainment, offer real insight into the Jerusalem - Israeli situation?
