Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- rousing
- melodramatic
- patriotic
- classic cinema night
- historical drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as an ambitious but technically weak and superficial war biography, though some found it rousing and historically significant.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
David Marcus is framed as a titanic commander whose personal legend is central to the film's historical drama.
The story follows American officer David Marcus as he is recruited to organize and command Israeli forces.
The film mixes the formation of an army and impending war with comic exchanges and salty dialogue.
Jewish forces recruit Marcus to help create an army immediately before the surrounding conflict begins.
Films like Cast a Giant Shadow, and why
The Battle of Algiers
shared historical war drama, military leadership, and nation-building themes
Exodus
shared epic historical conflict, political stakes, and large-scale military drama
Patton
shared biographical war storytelling, heroic military leadership, and conventional studio spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Melville Shavelson
- Release Date
- 1966-03-30
- Runtime
- 146 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (64)
Cast
- Kirk Douglas
- John Wayne
- Senta Berger
- Angie Dickinson
- James Donald
- Yul Brynner
- Frank Sinatra
- Stathis Giallelis
- Luther Adler
- Gordon Jackson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cast a Giant Shadow about?
- An American officer becomes the unlikely commander of a fledgling Israeli army on the eve of a defining war.
- What is Cast a Giant Shadow like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cast a Giant Shadow as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cast a Giant Shadow violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Cast a Giant Shadow as graphic.
- What did critics think of Cast a Giant Shadow?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as an ambitious but technically weak and superficial war biography, though some found it rousing and historically significant.
- Which films are like Cast a Giant Shadow?
- Films with a similar feel include The Battle of Algiers, Exodus, and Patton.
- How long is Cast a Giant Shadow?
- Cast a Giant Shadow runs 146 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cast a Giant Shadow?
- In United States, Cast a Giant Shadow streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
