Jordan Hoffman on 'Exodus': When Hollywood still loved the Jewish state

In this episode of The Times of Israel Daily Briefing, host Amanda Borchel Dan and film critic Jordan Hoffman dive into the 1960 Hollywood epic 'Exodus,' a landmark film about the founding of the State of Israel. Though the movie is celebrated for its cultural impact and iconic score—particularly the song 'This Land Is Mine'—Hoffman offers a candid critique of its pacing, excessive dialogue, and historical inaccuracies, especially in its fictionalized portrayal of the Exodus ship. He shares a personal connection to the film, revealing that his father was inspired by it to emigrate to a kibbutz in Israel, where he met Hoffman’s mother—making the film a pivotal moment in his own family history. The conversation shifts to the film’s complex legacy: while it romanticized early Zionism and resonated deeply with American Jews in the 1960s, it glosses over the harsh realities of displacement and conflict, particularly the real historical Exodus of 1947. The hosts also discuss why the film is notably absent from Israeli streaming platforms, attributing it to its misrepresentation of a deeply painful national memory. They reflect on how the film’s idealism contrasts with today’s political tensions, drawing parallels to contemporary Israeli cinema like Nadav Lapid’s work, which grapples with Israel’s identity and struggles. The episode ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the enduring emotional and cultural ties between American Jews and Israel, even amid political differences.