The subject of this film is difficult, a friendship and a war that comes in between friends. I would have given it a 9 but the propaganda in the film brings it down big time. This is not a historical film but it appears that some key dates have been followed.Why do I call it a propaganda film? Because, it shows good and bad on both sides but actually it subtly forces the viewer to sympathise with one side. This is the art of propaganda. Also called brainwashing which keeps happening again and again. It feels that we will see many more propaganda films in the future. Also, the Brits got the wrong end of the stick, which is almost funny.The two main characters, Bobby and Said are very likable as they appear as very genuine blokes. Their friendship is a real pleasure to watch, shame it was used to cover up the real agenda.

This is my first crack at critiquing a movie on IMDb. I saw it last night and thought the movie makers did a good job at expressing their point of view, which I also thought was very well worth considering. Someone had posted a very negative review, and then warned to stay away from the movie; the next reviewer replied to that by making a statement about the subjectivity of truth. I wanted to post my agreement to the second reviewer. I think what should be stayed "away" from is suppressing information just because the suppressor does not understand the value of the information. The movie "O Jerusalem" portrays little known facts about some well known characters (David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, King Hussein, etc.), as they might have related to Jewish and Arab fictional characters who lived in America and were friends, during the birth of the nation of Israel. These fictional friends all went to Jerusalem, and were separated through their participation in activities on opposing sides of the conflict. Blood brothers, separated by opposing political views, and eventually finding themselves fighting each other during the American Civil War, comes to mind. What the movie "O Jerusalem" portrays may not have actually happened, but it is easy to see that it could have happened.

I first and foremost am a man for peace, no matter on what side you may consider me after this review. For me this is truly a story about love. A love between two friends, a love between and Arab and Jew of course, and yet a brotherly love between two human beings. Aren't we all human beings? Shouldn't we all be destined to love each other. This is also a story of choices. The choice of the Arab main character (Said) either to let his American friend (Bobby) die, or save him. And he made the right choice. The choice of the same Arab to shoot his friend and yet again, he made the right choice. The same goes of course to the American main character. Sadly, others made lesser right choices. I may just be referring to the themes of this movie, but regarding this aspect, and only this side of a truly complex subject, where the line between right and wrong and guilt and innocence is so blurred now hardly anyone can set foot on this subject without being accused of extremism b by side or the other...and the themes are in my opinion well portrayed. Love. Friendship. Bravery against all odds when others are making the wrong choices, taking up guns and fighting a battle they have already lost at the hands of the colonial powers. Because let's face it. This is neither the Arab's nor the Jew's fault. It is the fault of a coward colonial power who only decided to save its own neck and buy unloading itself of the Jewish lobby it has been carrying around for the past decades, and not look back one second to the chaos it has brewed. It has even gone as far as "abstaining" from the vote. Hypocrites. But the movies shows it all. From both sides. Although I am not acquainted with the history, I get the feeling that the story is genuine and true. That this is what really and sadly happened, which brings us to the present day situation where nothing has changed and everything has worsened.The most powerful scene for me is of course the last scene so powerfully played. Bobby knew she was going to die and she knew she was going to die, and so did everyone else around them. Yet, he still decided to marry her. A selfless and truly heroic act. One that would fill the world with wonder if other people had but a trickle of it.This movie can't deserve a score. It does not deserve a score. To give it a score would be to limit to to a few acting criteria, some special effects, or other cinematographic jumbo I can't get my head around. But my review is more about the themes of the movie itself, which was awe-inspiringly portrayed.So give it whatever you want. Personally, I loved it!

I thought I am not a good candidate to write a review about the movie (Being a Jew who was born in Israel) - Until I saw the other review here and I was shocked and sadden.There are many "views" of what really happened in 1948. Each side holds its own view to events, as Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon" wisely tells us about the subjectivity of truth and the uncertainty of factual accuracy.The independence war is part of Israel's collective memory as it is to the Arab side. Of course anything that I will write will be influenced with that filtration - as well as the previous reviewer and possibly the reviewers to follow. We all "own" our subjective truth.So Instead of replying to the previous reviewer with "my facts" to the events that took place in 1948 in order to contradict his claims, I will halt here and urge you to not to give up upon your believes but to hold them back and see the movie. You will not regret it.Yes, I know the movie will not be enjoyable to or appreciated by everyone. If you are an Arab or Jew extremist you will probably leave the cinema in the middle of the movie - If you wish to see a one-sided, "the truth is here" movie I suggest you see a Michael Moore movie.But if you wish to see a movie with a brilliant script that tries to touch the human triumph and tragedies of the 1948 war with a superb cast that will make you shed a tear – this movie for you.