Watch It is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl

It is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl is a 2012 biographical film that brings to life the inspiring story of Theodor Herzl, the visionary father of modern political Zionism. The movie, produced by Richard Trank and Rabbi Marvin Hier, captures the life journey of the man who dedicated his life to the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine.

Narrated by Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley, the film offers an intimate portrait of Herzl, whose life changed forever after witnessing the anti-Semitism that was prevalent in fin de siècle Europe. Born in Budapest in 1860, Herzl grew up in a secular Jewish family that encouraged assimilation. However, after studying law in Vienna, he realized that the Jews could not live in peace with the Christian majority without a homeland of their own.

The movie takes us on a journey across Europe, where Herzl worked as a journalist and experienced the rise of anti-Semitism. Pogroms, blood libel accusations, and other violent incidents against Jews drove him to rethink his liberal and optimistic views of Jewish life in Europe. He realized that the only solution was to create a Jewish state in Palestine, a place where Jews could live without fear of persecution.

As Herzl becomes increasingly convinced of the need for a Jewish state, he reaches out to influential leaders, including Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Sultan Abdul Hamid II of Turkey, with proposals for a Jewish homeland. Herzl's vision is met with skepticism and rejection, but he persists in his efforts.

The film brilliantly captures the passion and determination that drove Herzl to devote his life to the Zionist cause. It shows how he founded the Zionist Organization and organized the first Zionist Congresses, which brought together Jewish leaders from around the world to discuss plans for a Jewish homeland. The film also highlights the significant role played by his fellow Zionists, including Max Nordau and David Wolffsohn, in bringing Herzl's vision to life.

Herzl faced many challenges in his quest for a Jewish state, including financial hardships, political opposition, and the hostility of some Jewish leaders who opposed his ideas. His work also led to controversy and divisions within the Jewish community around the world. Yet, Herzl remained undaunted, and his dream eventually became a reality when Israel was established in 1948.

The movie features interviews with scholars and experts on Herzl's life and work, as well as family members and friends of Herzl. It also includes archival footage and photographs that provide a glimpse into the life and times of this remarkable man.

In addition to Kingsley, the film stars Academy Award-winning actor Christoph Waltz as the voice of Herzl, Matthew Asner as Nordau, and a talented cast of actors who bring to life the key figures in Herzl's story.

Overall, It is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl is an excellent documentary that captures the gripping story of one man's fight for a Jewish homeland. The film offers a fascinating insight into the life and times of Herzl, while highlighting the challenges and obstacles that he and his fellow Zionists overcame to establish the state of Israel.

It is No Dream: The Life of Theodor Herzl is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.