Masada (1981)

Based upon the novel by Ernest K. Gann (THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY), this is a fictionalized account of the Roman siege of the Masada fortress in 72 AD. The Roman governor of Judea (Peter O’Toole) along with a Roman legion marches on the Masada fortress (a near impenetrable mountain plateau in the desert) where Hebrew zealots are holed up and the six hour film (an hour could have cut and not missed) focuses on the many hardships faced by both sides with the face off as well as the political intrigue in Rome. Filming on the actual location where the siege took place lends an aura of authenticity to the project. Acting wise, the Romans get the better part of the bargain with strong British actors like O’Toole, Anthony Quayle and David Warner (who won an Emmy for his work here) playing Romans while the Hebrews are played for the most part by bland American actors like Peter Strauss, Alan Feinstein and Paul I. Smith. Fortunately, Barbara Carrera is cast as O’Toole’s Hebrew mistress so at least the Jews are shown to have some assets. Jerry Goldsmith won an Emmy for his strong score. With Joseph Wiseman, David Opatoshu, Denis Quilley and Timothy West.