The Promise (2011)

Waste of time

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It was an amazing series with an emotional ending.The Series was talking about the British Mandate, and how the Zionist enter to Palestine (Arabian Land) and how they robbed the land by force and arms.The strength point which we have seen in this series that the Palestinian territories are stolen every day and Zionist territory is expanding from generation to another.I was enjoying watching the movie and it reflects the true picture of the situation in Palestine.I recommend this movie to all who wants to see the truth.

Astonishing is all I can say, I fail to find the words to describe this piece of work. Maybe being an Arab who's heart breaks in two every time he hears about his neighboring country and how they were left helpless to struggle and still are effects me more, maybe thats why the movie got to me so deeply. I wouldn't want to take the credit off the producer nor the cast or anyone who participated in this magnificent work good job. This is a must see series. People (ofcourse I know which sort of people) will start to take us into the small details of events and how the IDF does that and doesn't do that, I believe the picture is clear for those who have hearts and minds to see with.

I was utterly appalled at the historical distortion, bias, and horrible demonization of Israel, made by 'The Promise'. Admittedly, I only watched the last episode, so it is possible that the previous ones were more balanced, but that wouldn't make things better. In this episode the Jews are portrayed as blood-thirsty, murderous brutes, who upon withdrawal of the British mandate army, relentlessly kill defenseless and peace-loving Arab civilians, including women and children. The mighty "Jewish army" is so vicious, that even the cute family puppy-dog must be put to death to avoid a more cruel end had it fallen into their monstrous hands (bringing the soft-hearted viewer into tears)! The fact is that the Arab Higher Committee, supported by the Arab League, rejected the UN plan for partitioning mandatory Palestine even before the assembly had voted on it. The very next day following the UN voting (November 30th 1947), the local Arabs, backed by militias and armies from nearby countries, attacked the Jewish population wherever it could. The Jewish forces were defensive, trying to protect and deliver supplies to secluded Jewish towns besieged by Arab forces. In fact, things seemed so grim for the Jewish population, that in March 1948 the UN discussed proposals to withdraw from the partition plan and establish a trustee-mandate instead. So, it was the Arabs who killed Jewish civilians at that stage of the war (approx. 2,700 Jewish civilians were killed), and not the other way around, as shown in 'The Promise'. It wasn't until April 1948 that the Jewish forces became the initiating party, after the defeat of the local Arab forces. That's when some of the Arab population fled for the fear of the Jewish forces. The Grand Invasion of the Arab armies came shortly afterwards, on May 14th 1948, and only then the "Jewish army" -the IDF, was formed. In the parallel plot, which takes place around the present time, the heroine ('Erin') manages to infiltrate into Gaza, and arrives to the home of a terrorist, who recently murdered several Israelis by suicide-bombing. The close family sits there and mourns quietly. In reality, there is nothing quiet and homely about it. The terrorist organization affiliated with the murderer takes custody over the event, putting up their flags and slogans and praising the acts of the "martyr". In Gaza, civilians often spontaneously celebrate "successful" suicide bombings, and give out candy to the public. Throughout that episode, all the main characters criticize the Israeli "policy", including the Israeli soldier, 'Paul' (acted by the extreme left-wing activist Itay Tiran). When considering screen time, only a few second were dedicated to the misdoings of Palestinians, e.g., Erin reads a news report about suicide bombing, shots are fired at soldiers in Hebron. However, in the rest of the 90 minutes, the viewer experiences the conflict entirely through the eyes of the Palestinians. This is as far as it can be from "balanced". To further accentuate the differences between the Jewish population and the "oppressed" Palestinian population, Erin's parents live in an amazing villa (if not a palace) with a pond in their huge back yard. As she leaves and looks through the taxi window, the camera focuses on many other extravagant villas, contrasting the poverty of Gaza, which was captured in the previous scene. The fact is that the shots of these houses were taken in the most prestigious part of the country, occupied by the wealthiest percentile - It most certainly does not represent the way Israelis live. And by the way, there are villas even in Gaza… So why am I being so petty? Why ruin a good story with truths and facts? The real problem is that movies like this are being broadcast to millions of people, who have no significant knowledge of the conflict and its history. Their concepts and views are therefore shaped by what they see. Some of them may develop a more forgiving, or even supportive approach towards terrorist organizations that act against Israel. The public view may in turn affect these organizations, by allowing them to morally strengthen their belief in their cause, and recruit more members and resources. Eventually, it translates into blood. To summarize my review: Credibility of the story: poor. Acting: exaggerated. Adhesion to historic facts: negative 10.

'After all, it's only fiction..' is what the author/film maker reminds us, when unable to answer some important questions about this sentimental TV series..If you're looking to be manipulated (the film starts relatively promisingly), and totally but subtly brain-washed by this pretentious project, based merely on a limited research (time & sources wise), there's a series for you! Of course, clichés are too difficult to resist (ex. the Israelis living in a luxurious villa, whereas in reality the majority of them live in simple building flats!)If you're really interested in the subject (complicated, as it is), serious sources are not lacking.. don't waste your time!