Der kleine Verräter

THE LITTLE TRAITOR is a touching little film based on the Amos Oz novel 'Panther in the Basement' and adapted for the screen and directed by Lynn Roth. Made in 2007 but for some reason not commercially released in the USA until On Demand films became popular on television, it is now available in DVD and deserves attention, especially in the current situation of the Middle East situation. This is one of those films that may be small or low budget, but carries a rather profound message that transcends political restrictions or biases.

The story takes place in 1947 Palestine before the formation of Israel as state in 1948. Proffy Liebowitz (Ido Port) may be only eleven years old but he is very bright and has insights into the political situation of the times. He was conceived in Poland but born in Palestine when his parents immigrated in hopes of forming a Jewish state of fellow WW II survivors from the concentration camps. Proffy resents the presence of the British in Paelstine who inflict curfews on the citizens of Jerusalem and joins with his buddies to plan bombs and other ordinances to terrorize the British make their motto of Freedom Or Death meaningful. Proffy's father (Rami Heuberger) is a harsh disciplinarian: he and his wife give sanctuary for immigrant homeless Jews and don't want Proffy to disturb the British policing of the city for fear of altering their roles as protectors.

Out beyond curfew time one evening Proffy encounters British Sergeant Dunlop (Alfred Molina) and somehow the two connect: Dunlop does not arrest Proffy but instead returns him to his home with the promise that Proffy will join him for lunch the next day! Proffy's father grounds him for a week, but finally when Proffy is released he looks up Dunlop and the two share literature and conversation, times that allow each to understand the other's stance and personality, and Proffy begins to see the warmly generous Dunlop as a father figure - a man who psychologically replaces Proffy's own cold and remote father. Their friendship becomes a strong bond between what Proffy had once considered a clash of enemies. As their friendship builds Proffy's young friends discover the relationship and begin to spread rumors that Proffy is passing Jewish intelligence to the British. Proffy is interrogated (Theodore Bikel) and how the Jews and the British deal with this is the climax of the story. We do see years later the old Dunlop meet the now adult Proffy (Natan Ravich) in a very touching scene.

Alfred Molina once again proves that he can make even a small film rise to a fine standard and his interaction with the young Ido Port is memorable. The film is in English and Hebrew with subtitles. Recommended for all audiences.

Grady Harp

The movie shows about the Jewish community in Israel and the process of their establishment in the British occupied Palestine. It shoes how little proffy and his relation with a British soldier friend changes as he learns more about life around him.

This is a sweet little indie film about the friendship between a British soldier and a young Israeli boy. When I first saw Alfred Molina, I said to myself, "I've seen this guy in a bunch of stuff before." I checked his IMDb profile and was flabbergasted by just how many films and tv shows he's appeared in. Just looking at the number of productions he's been involved in since 2020 is incredible.

The Little Traitor take place in Israel just after the Second World War and before the country was recognized by the rest of the world. The English were stationed there to help keep the peace. A young boy Proffy (Ido Port) hangs out with two friends who have their own little brotherhood of English-hating kids. One day, Proffy is out on the streets after curfew and is nabbed by a kindly English soldier Dunlop (Molina). He escorts him home and lets him go with a warning. The two become fast friends and Proffy spends with Dunlop at the officer's club almost every afternoon.

The two learn about each other's cultures and Dunlop acts as sort of a big brother to Proffy. When it's brought to the attention of the local Jewish authorities that he's been flirting with the enemy, Proffy's brought before a tribunal and is questioned. It's just one of the many adventures he encounters in this excellent movie.

I really enjoyed this film. The two lead characters felt so natural together. And it's always nice to watch a film where nothing horrible happens. If you're looking for a pleasant film the whole family will enjoy, don't miss this gem. To see more of y reviews, check out moviejunkiemark. It's on blogspot.

So many historical movies are just overbearing and a slog to get through. The Little Traitor really gives you just enough historical background for the events to serve as a backdrop for the primary story - an unlikely friendship between an Israeli boy growing up in Palestine and an English soldier trying to keep the peace.

Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2, Chocolate, Prince of Persia) stars as Sergeant Dunlop, a kindhearted man who doesn't really fit in among his fellow soldiers and longs for home and the girlfriend he left behind. He encounters a precocious young boy named Proffy (Ido Port), who fancies himself a crusader for Israeli independence. He sees that Proffy, who has never connected with his father, needs a male influence and befriends him.

The friendship proves tricky for them both, as Dunlop's fellow soldiers are weary of the boy, and Proffy's friends end up seeing him as a traitor for befriending Dunlop. Dunlop and Proffy each grows through the adversity they face and end up stronger for it.

Molina is really fabulous in this classy, warm coming of age tale. Some might see it as a niche film for Jewish audiences only, but it tells an extremely universal story that I think would play well with anyone.

This movie is a little gem. Definitely not a historic film, this semi-autobiography of author Amos Oz is an exploration of human interactions during the time of the British occupation in Mandatory Palestine. I would have given the film another star, but was slightly rattled when I missed a musical "fill" when it was necessary, and looked for more "goofs" when what appeared to be a plastic bag drifted across a shot early on in the movie, set in the 1940s. In addition, I awaited (and received) the obligatory Oz political stance on the situation in Israel. That is something I believe the film could have done without, since it is an otherwise charming piece. After the showing, the producer gave a little background into the making of the movie (incredibly small budget, all-Israeli crew, Molina phoning and asking for a role in the film). That was an extra treat. I will definitely buy the DVD when it comes out, and will recommend it to my kids. It's a story of emotions overcoming the clash of stereotypical enemies.