Every Bastard a King

Every Bastard a King is a 1968 Israeli drama film directed and co-written by Uri Zohar. The film was selected as the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 41st Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Plot

The story focuses on an American reporter who visits Israel with his girlfriend. While there, he becomes friendly with the Arabs and Israelis. Before long things change and he soon learns that war will break out. The film is set just before the Six-Day War of 1967.

Cast

Yehoram Gaon as Yoram
Oded Kotler as Raphi Cohen
Pier Angeli as Eileen
William Berger as Roy Hemmings
Ori Levy as Foreign Office Official
Reuven Morgan as The Photographer
Ariela Shavid as Anat

Reception

The film was a commercial and critical success. It became one of the most successful box office hits in Israeli cinema history. It was seen by an estimated 743,000 people.
In Haolam Hazeh, the critic wrote: "Finally: a movie, not another Israeli movie, but simply a movie." Natan Gross, writing in Al Hamishmar: "The audience leaves the theater filled with amazement, thrilled and excited. The critics leave singing the praises of the direction, the cinematography, the editing and the dialogue, all thanks to the fact that the film is truly brilliant."