(1980)
4
Mike Cummings
Brilliant writing, acting, and pacing combine with authentic atmosphere, thrilling battles scenes, and a superb musical score to make Masada one of the better historical epics about the ancient world. Peter O'Toole dominates the film as Cornelius Flavius Silva, a Roman general bent on subduing rebellious Jews after they seize and hold a mountaintop fortress. In portraying Silva, O'Toole fights not one battle, but many -- against the defiant Jews, against his own mutinous troops, against uncompromising Roman policymakers, against the unforgiving desert climate, and against his own inner demons. Peter Strauss capably plays the Jewish leader, Eleazar ben Jair, although at times he appears too smugly self-assured for a man surrounded by a legion of 5,000 soldiers. O'Toole and Strauss meet three times face to face during the film, negotiating terms and defending their beliefs and ideas. The dialogue is sharp-tongued, marked by anger, bravado, wit, and sometimes -- on O'Toole's part -- sensitivity and understanding. Unable to persuade Emperor Vespasian to accept Eleazar's terms, O'Toole and his siege master (played deftly by Anthony Quayle), construct a battering ram and a massive ramp to haul it up the mountainside. Aficionados of ancient warfare will enjoy the tactical defense maneuvers of the Jews and the final assault of the Romans against the mountaintop "masada" ("masada" is the Hebrew word for "fortress"). Throughout the film, Jerry Goldsmith's excellent music score accompanies the action, rising and falling at just the right places. Thanks to Boris Sagal's direction, the film moves nicely along, rarely dragging or devoting too much attention to any one scene. Fine supporting performances are provided by Barbara Carrera, Nigel Davenport, Denis Quilley, David Warner, and Alan Feinstein.
releases for Masada on AllMovie
Masada (1980)
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Title/Studio |
Release Date |
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Masada [2 Discs]
Universal Pictures
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January 19, 2009 |
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Masada [2 Discs]
Koch Vision
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September 11, 2007 |
