The Little Traitor

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.

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.

What a beautiful, simply told, elegant film. A film that should be seen NOW. With all the strife in the Middle East and hatred filling the news and media, this film reaffirms our faith in love, understanding and unity in a complicated world. I do not cry in movies often.....this wonderful film got to my heart AND mind. This is what movies have been missing for so long.....a simply story told directly and honestly. There is no pulling on emotional heart strings.....no special effects.....no plot shocks at the end. Just an honest story expertly laid out by a director who trusts the story being told and her wonderful cast who executes the tale with honest emotion. This film is one to be cherished.

I stumbled across this film and watched it purely on the strength of actor Alfred Molina who plays a British soldier occupying Palestine just before Israel is recognized as a state. Molino's character is befriended by an 11 year old Jewish boy. I enjoyed the friendship and the way the story unfolds. A lovely script, beautifully acted and kid actors that are actually quite good especially the lead boy whose story this film centers around.

The film is especially poignant now with so much misunderstanding and ignorance in the world.