Focuses on the intensely dramatic and high-stakes responsibilities and decisions that Golda Meir, also known as the 'Iron Lady of Israel,' faced during the Yom Kippur War.Focuses on the intensely dramatic and high-stakes responsibilities and decisions that Golda Meir, also known as the 'Iron Lady of Israel,' faced during the Yom Kippur War.Focuses on the intensely dramatic and high-stakes responsibilities and decisions that Golda Meir, also known as the 'Iron Lady of Israel,' faced during the Yom Kippur War.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 10 nominations total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Featured reviews
Under heavy make-up and facial prosthetics, Oscar winner Helen Mirren expertly captures the essence of Golda Meir at a time she was carrying an unimaginable burden. The opening shoots through a quick slideshow of history before settling into 1973 and the escalating conflict between the Arab states (led by Egypt and Syria) and Israel. Despite the presence of some intelligence warning of such, Israel was caught off-guard by the surprise attack, and found themselves scrambling for the next 3 weeks - the period that makes up the core of the movie. Slump-shouldered and chain-smoking (sometimes defiantly), we see Golda making huge decisions between trips for lymphoma treatments. Her decisions would be the determining factor on how many soldiers would die, and whether Israel would remain independent.
It's the level and question of that intelligence that provides the film's framing structure of Golda Meir appearing before the Agranat Commission - a commission designed to render after-the-fact judgment on her decision-making and war strategy. As we witness, some of that strategy involves gut feelings and instincts, yet what the film makes clear is that Golda understands war kills real people - these aren't just numbers in a report. Included in these meetings are the Minister of Defense, Moshe Dyan (Rami Heuberger), Chief of Staff "Dodo" Elazar (Lior Ashkenazi), and Field General (and future Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon (Ohad Knoller). Camille Cotton plays Golda's longtime personal assistant Lou Kaddar, and some of the best scenes are the private conversations between U. S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber) and Golda, as she pushes for assistance and support, with Kissinger in a tough spot.
This Yom Kippur War lasted barely three weeks, yet the profound stress of war-induced decisions is obvious in Golda, as is her stance as a tough leader. For her, this did not mean sacrificing human emotions, but rather being decisive, communicative, and surrounding yourself with a capable team ... although disloyalty in her administration is hinted at by some. Golda lived (just) long enough to witness the infamous Treaty signed by Menachim Begin and Answar Sadat, a treaty made possible through her leadership.
The film more closely resembles DARKEST HOUR (2017), with Gary Oldman's Oscar-winning performance as Winston Churchill during WWII, than THE QUEEN (2006), Ms. Mirren's own Oscar-winning turn as Queen Elizabeth. Actual newsclips are mixed in for historical perspective and the score by Dascha Dauenhauer leans heavily on dramatic stringed instruments. A final song by Leonard Cohen caps things off. While it's true that most of the storytelling doesn't reach the level of Ms. Mirren's performance, that performance is enough to convey the high stakes involved.
Opens on August 25, 2023.
I liked , very much, this precise crafted docudrama , proposing a fair perspective about a politician in middle of a terrible war, fragil and the most powerful from members of her cabinet, impressed by sacrifices of Israeli soldiers and unpitifull in crucial moments, using, in wise manner, the relation with Henry Kissinger , admirable acted by Liev Schreiber.
A beautiful film for many profound special scenes, from the metamorphose of cigare smoke to the dialogue with Kissinger in kitchen and the birds on the hall of hospital.
Not exctly a biopic. But useful, for many reasons, anatomy of a moment defining the history of Israel not only as isolated event but as definition of its survive tools , people, reactions, power.
This is not a bio-pic, it covers only a very focused part of her life, namely the 1973 Yom Kippur war. On October 6, 1973, an Arab coalition of Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur-the Jewish holy day of atonement.
Helen Mirren in full prosthetic makeup is almost a dead ringer for Prime Minister Golda Meir. At one point she says she is a politician not a military leader, in her frustration at not getting her head wrapped around the conflict and what they should do. But as the days advance she makes a number of tough decisions after her military leaders present options.
All this was going on while she was battling cancer at the age of 75, and receiving radiation treatments. And the year after a truce was reached, having to answer to an inquiry about the actions she took. She died in 1978.
This is a well-made movie that tells an interesting and important story in the history of Israel. And especially now, in the fall of 2023, when Hamas recently attacked Israel and a full-fledged war is in progress as I write this. Why can't everyone get along?
My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library.
Film plays out day by day in the style and tension of 'The Darkest Hour' Golda being supported by her war cabinet and defending their new founded nation from its establishing in 1948.
Also Henry Kissinger played By Liev Schreiber is just brilliant as America's Secretary of Defence and a key ally of Israel and both have this kindred spirit with both of them being Jewish from European countries, shows an understanding of what's at stake for their race
Helen Mirren is just brilliant, not just in looking incredibly similar to its iconic leader but everything from mannerisms and shear determination to prevail and to defend its Nation...
A nervy, adrenaline induced movie that grips from start to finish, brilliant!
Did you know
- TriviaViewers who know little about the life history of Golda Meir may be surprised to hear the British actress Helen Mirren performing the role of an Israeli prime minster with an American accent. In fact, Meir, who was born in present-day Ukraine, grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after her family immigrated to America when she was about eight years old. The elementary school she attended, Fourth Street School, is now called the Golda Meir School for Gifted and Talented Students. She stayed in the United States until her early twenties, when she made aliyah (immigrated) to the land then known as British Mandate of Palestine.
- GoofsKing Hussein of Jordan, after meeting with Sadat and Assad to discuss the war and confirming that Jordan would not take any part of it, on his way back to Jordan landed in Israel and met with Golda Meir and other members of the government on September 25th, 1973, giving them heads up on the impending war. This was declassified a couple of years ago.
- Quotes
Henry Kissinger: Madam Prime Minister, in terms of our work together, I think it's important for you to remember that I am first an American, second I'm Secretary of State, and third, I am a Jew.
Golda Meir: You forget that in Israel we read from right to left.
Henry Kissinger: Of course.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Oscars (2024)
- SoundtracksWho by Fire
Words and Music by Leonard Cohen
Published by Sony/ATV Songs LLC and BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited
Courtesy of 1974 Sony Music Entertainment
Licensed by Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited
- How long is Golda?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,801,781
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,695,959
- Aug 27, 2023
- Gross worldwide
- $7,039,700
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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