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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Koch International
EAN: 0741952648291
Format: Color, NTSC
Label: Koch Vision
Manufacturer: Koch Vision
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: Koch Vision
Release Date: September 11, 2007
Running Time: 383 minutes
Sales Rank: 2359
Studio: Koch Vision
Theatrical Release Date: April 05, 1981
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
An epic true story of Jews fleeing Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Pursued to a mountain stronghold of the Herods they face lives enslaved or suicide. This is the full-length television miniseries.System Requirements:Running Time: 394 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 741952648291 Manufacturer No: KOC-DV6482
Amazon.com essential video:
This 1981 television miniseries, based on Ernest K. Gann's historical novel The Antagonists, is a dramatization of a documented revolt by nearly a thousand Jerusalem Jews against Roman oppressors in A.D. 72 to 73. Following a city-wide siege by Rome's soldiers, Jewish Zealots move into a fortress in the mountains of Masada, from which they present a defense strong enough to convince the enemy to negotiate. Peter O'Toole, in all his golden dignity, plays Cornelius Flavius Silva, commander of the Roman legions, and Peter Strauss is Zealot leader Eleazar ben Yair. Both are outstanding as representatives from each side trying, in good faith, to find a way out of the deadlocked situation. Unfortunately, neither realizes that Rome has no intention of yielding, resulting in one of the greatest tragedies in Jewish history. A strong cast of character actors--David Warner, Barbara Carrera, Timothy West, and Anthony Quayle--is rewardingly watchable, the action and sets are persuasive without overwhelming the story's human dimension, and direction by Boris Sagal (The Omega Man) is crisp and enthralling. This was a pleasure to watch when it was first broadcast, and it holds up very well today. --Tom Keogh
Amazon.com:
'A victory? What have we won?' laments a breathtaking Peter O'Toole as the Roman warrior Flavius Silva. 'We've won a rock in the middle of a wasteland, on the shores of a poisoned sea.' Thus does Masada, the epic 1981 miniseries about a horrific battle in ancient Palestine, echo the terrible toll of war in general, and of the brutal conflicts in today's Middle East in particular. Masada, from the golden age of miniseries (Roots, Shogun), is a transportive viewing event--shot on location, and apparently no expense spared.
The film retells (with some dramatic license) the true story of an uprising in Palestine of a ragtag band of Jews, in a fortress called Masada, who refuse to surrender to the governing Romans. O'Toole, as Flavius Silva, is the brilliant commander who, over the course of several years of trying, and failing, to breach Masada, comes to regard the leader of his foes, Eleazar ben Yair (the charismatic Peter Strauss), with a certain amount of respect and awe. If left to Flavius, he might have simply leave the holdout fortress and return to the Italy he so longs for; but the Roman emperor demands victory--at any cost.
The performances are uniformly crisp and believable; the direction by Boris Sagal, economical; the screenplay, sharp and incisive. David Warner, who won an Emmy for his performance, plays the brutal Roman henchman Falco with seething determination. The location shooting is nothing short of spectacular. There is sorrow in the story of Masada, but an uplifting message in the ability of true believers to create their own destiny. --A.T. Hurley
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - the best that TV mini-series can offer
This is a very good made-4-tv melodrama based on the historical myth of the Jewish struggle against the Romans. So far as I could see, in telling a complex story with many layers and on an epic scale, it strove for a level of historical accuracy that is rare for TV. This could not be done as well in a 2-hour movie - it merits 6 hours.
At the center of the film is the conflict between two charismatic leaders. O'Toole is the Roman general, who is hard yet reasonable and not cruel. Strauss is the leader of the zealots: hardly a religious fanatic, he wants to preserve the freedom of his people and is willing to risk everything to do so. Both are deeply conflicted: the aristocratic Roman is exhausted, having lost his beloved wife while on campaign and taking solace in drink. Strauss is wracked with personal doubts, yet is a brilliant tactitian and natural leader. After some good-faith negotiations that fail due to Roman politics, the two enter an end-game struggle that will decide both of their fates. The acting is so good that the viewer can believe them completely.
There are also plots within plots, which are very interesting. On the one hand, O'Toole must contend with the poisonous creatures of Roman political intrigues, who interfere with his professional maneuvering in the field. This pits him and his gifted military engineer against a number of his former intimates, perhaps even the emperor himself. His idealism remains intact, if compromised by realities. ... Read More
Rating:  - el cid & masada
both excellent dvds. Cannot wait for 55 days at Peking.What about a special edition King of Kings. Going off the subject slightly. I am anxious to purchase the following dvds in the very near future if they ever become available: Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon, AD-Anno Domini & Washington Behind Closed Doors. Again excellent value and presentation.
Rating: - Masada - The Complete Mini-Series
As good as I remembered it. It was great to be able to view the whole series at once.
Rating: - Masada - My visit & the mini-series.
My wife & I visited Masada recently while on a "Holy Land Tour". While at Masada, I learned about the mini-series and was excited to order it after returning to the US. The DVD gives the viewer actual 1981 footage of Israel Army (IDF) recruits being sworn into military service at the begining and end of the film. It is my understanding that this practice ended approx 10 years ago; however it emphasizes how important Masada is to the national heritage of Israel. In fact one Israel tour internet site states that it is the second most visited historical site behind Jerusalem itself. The DVD gives excellant footage of Masada and the surrounding area of the Dead Sea. Several sets in the DVD, including the synagogue, closely resemble the actual ruins. This 1981 mini-series may not be of "2008 picture quality" but it is an excellant portrayal of actual events and is a must see for anyone going to, or having been on Masada. I highly recommend it.
Rating: - Such an Awesome Movie
I just really enjoyed watching this epic series. I watched it for several nights and enjoyed every minute of it!
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