Review by John Delia
One of the most complete and intensive biography/documentary films I’ve seen years, Rabin in His Own Words comes to American screens this weekend. It follows Yitzhak Rabin life from birth to his untimely death using photographs, home film, archival footage and news reels. It’s actually a documentary on how Israel was born, the historical wars they fought and the challenge of bringing peace to the nation.
Telling his own story, Rabin works with filmmaker Erez Laufer to bring it to the screen. It must have been a monumental task from the amount of material shown in the film. Well put together, its Rabin’s commentary that makes it all worthwhile. The former Israel Prime Minister, war veteran, Ambassador to the United States and family man committed himself to a life of achieving peace for his country and nearly achieved it. And, behind him all the way was a wife that believed in what he was doing and making sacrifices of her own for his cause.
Some of the highlights of the film include his rise to Commander of his Harel Brigade, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lt. General of the IDF, and his peace initiative during his two stints as Prime Minister of Israel. He fought as a soldier and leader in the War of Independence, the Six Day War against Egypt, and the War of Attrition (Suez Canal).
Rabin in his Own Words opens this weekend in South Florida. The film has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains war violence and results of terrorist attacks on Israel. The film is shown in the Hebrew language with English Subtitles.
FINAL ANALAYSIS: A very good in depth biography/documentary. (B)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Yitzhak Rabin
Directed by: Erez Laufer
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Foreign
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains war and terrorist scenes
Running Time: 1 hr. 59 min.
Release Date: May 6, 2016
Distributed by: Menemsha Films