Frontline: The Longest Hatred: A Revealing History of Anti-Semitism

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Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Studio: WGBH Boston
Release Date: 2004-06-29
Running Time: 150 minutes
Why can't Jews, Arabs, and Palestinians coexist? The answers are deep-rooted, complex, and fully detailed in this stunning history of Jewish persecution.

''They are the other. They are not us.'' Throughout time, words such as these have been used to justify and vilify. The Longest Hatred takes an unsparing look at the ways such words have shaped the experience of Jewish people in this a revealing history of anti-Semitism, a hatred with roots long before the Holocaust and enduring intensity that continues to erupt in the violent conflicts of today.

Part One, From the Cross to the Swastika, traces an image that begins with the earliest writings of Christianity, which leveled the charge that Jews were responsible for Jesus’ death. In this segment, historians show how demonizing dogma has affected Jews through the centuries–in Italy, Spain, England, and Germany–reaching its zenith with the development of Nazi ideology.

Part Two, Enemies of the People, shows how anti-Semitic sentiment has accompanied a growing nationalism in Europe in recent decades, causing a mass exodus of Jews from Russia and even resurfacing in Poland and Austria, where few Jews remain. In Germany, the remarkable collapse of the Berlin wall has been followed by the rise of neo-Nazism among German youth.

Part Three, Between Moses and Muhammed, takes a humanistic look at relations between Arabs and Israelis, once linked by pseudo-science under the degrading label ''Semite,'' and now enmeshed in one of the world’s most violent conflicts. Experts on both sides tell how Arabs and Jews, who for centuries lived in relative peace, have been drastically alienated by political turmoil–and how the anti-Jewish propaganda now disseminated in the Arab world is so eerily like that seen in Europe before World War II.

Special DVD features include: scene selections and closed captions.

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format:4 x 3 full frame.

Anti-Semitism
A very comprehensive documentary feature on anti-semitism, "The Longest Hatred" not only covers the fact that the hatred of the Jews is rampant, but examines the history of this hatred, as well as the possible causes. We are taken back in history, to Jesus Christ, Muhammad, and the horrors of the Final Solution. The hatred does not stop there, as the film shows.

I found the analysis of the Christian hatred towards Jews particularly intriguing. Christians are generally considered to be more moderate than Muslims, yet it took the Pope two thousand years to absolve the Jews of the murder of Jesus Christ. Even after the absolution, even after the horrors of the WWII, strong anti-semitism persisted in such places as Poland, Russia and Germany. As an eloquent Russian Orthodox priest said - people tend to forget that Jesus Christ himself, as well as his mother, Virgin Mary, were indeed Jews themselves. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was the product of the time that Christ lived in. Many forget that the Christian Church itself dealt severely with anyone challenging Christianity. Why would have the Romans and Jews behaved differently two thousand years ago?

We are also shown the battle between Arabs and Israelis, the battle that has monopolized our news broadcasts, and the film makers take us to different parts of the globe to seek answers. Of course, everything boils down to propaganda spewed by an extremist few, who decidedly poison minds and hearts in order to gain domination.

"The Longest Hatred" is an excellent documentary, amazingly level-headed and impartial that should be mandatory viewing for all who wonder how the hatred came about, or even if the hatred is valid. One should know that no hatred is ever valid, as no good can come out of it. But being that we are human, we are subject to these emotions, and the least we can do is try to understand the roots of these emotions. Highly recommended.

Well Done
This is a documentary that takes a look at anti-Semitism through the ages. It is very well done and well worth watching.

Entertaining Education !
This is a copy of a PBS mini-series, marvelously filmed on location, filled with facts, interviews with "in your face" and "in your gut" scenes. It explains the Jewish/Arab conflict from the very beginning to date and permits the viewer to see the WHY from both sides. It is long for one viewing - but invite friends over, have refreshments, watch the DVD and follow it with HOURS of discussion. Our Bible Study group spent 8 hours and throughly enjoyed the education and enlightenment it provided to our study on Israel. Now when we see the news we know what has preceded the action. I would consider this a must see for everyone who wants to be informed about the confict in the Near East!

Factual View of a usually taboo subject.
One of the better documentaries about a subject Christians usually don't want to discuss as we would need to face up to the truth that we have either done nothing to stop it or contributed to make it worse. A timely reminder to face the hard facts in history that Christians have been the greatest persecutors of Jews and not the Muslims!

Best Narration in a documentary!!!
This documentary explains in short, the history of the Jewish people and how Anti-Semietism first started..it is brilliantly done. The interviews portraid are opinionated from both sides, from the Catholic church to Jewish professors of history to Arab media spokespeople to Professors and teachers of English/History in Egypt. In short it is portraid slightly in favor of the Jewish, but still has a great view of opposition from Europeans and Arabs. What really makes the documentary is the Narrorator, his name is Gene Galusha (best known as Narrorator for Discovery Channel's "New Detectives") Gene does an outstanding job and really brings this documentary an intriguing cohesiveness. Great job Gene! Your name needs to be on documentary description as to who the Narrorator is..