The presence of a strong international cast doesn’t prevent this historical drama from feeling slow-moving; its only real distinction comes from Ernest Gold’s score. The narrative focuses on Jewish immigrants trapped within British territory, all hoping to reach Israel. Fortunately, "Ari," portrayed by Paul Newman, appears and, through a mix of exploiting British apathy, navigating political landscapes, and employing clever tactics, secures their passage on a boat toward their destination. However, upon arrival and attempting self-sufficiency, they discover themselves literally encircled by animosity. This hostility extends even from divisions within their own communities as their fight for independence evolves into one primarily concerned with survival. The historical context of this period is inherently captivating, particularly given that it likely remains quite turbulent decades later; nevertheless, the way the events are presented feels overly verbose and uninspired. While clearly a passion project for Otto Preminger, his excitement doesn’t carry over, as nearly three and a half hours pass in a halting fashion that hinders investment in the story. The characters also suffer from this, with most of them failing to connect, with Lee J. Cobb being a possible exception. It's unfortunate because the subject matter deserves a good telling—this film simply isn’t one worth seeing.

Source on TMDB