Based on Jewish legend, the movie The Golem opens on Blu-ray, DVD and on VOD today. The horror film that depicts a creature that’s summoned up to protect and defend a village by using the The Kabbalah, gets very disturbing and demonizing. If you are a fan of the horror genre or just like to watch frightening movies, then this should shock you at every twist. See below and check out the links for information on the legend.
It’s 1673 Europe and the black plague has made a devastating return and a blow on an area in Lithuania where farmers live in peace. While the Jewish settlement has not experienced any deaths, the nearby town made up of Arian farmers have been suffering from many deaths by the disease. The Jewish settlement has been very careful not to mix with the Arians, but Hanna (Hani Furstenberg) and her sister have ventured near the area where they have been burning dead bodies.
Although forbidden, Hanna has been reading The Kabbalah, a book guarded by Jews and believed to have mystic powers. The recent death of her son Joseph (Daniel Cohen) and her declining relationship with her husband Benjamin (Ishai Golan) over the loss, has driven her to sneak into the men’s prayer room and read the book. Learning the power of The Golem she starts to wonder about its powers and if it could help her make contact with Joseph.
Directors Doran Paz and Yoav Paz play out their film with their main protagonist Hanna trying to protect the village by bringing forward The Golem from information contained in The Kabbalah. They keep the story suspenseful, intriguing and compelling setting up a story where the Arian farmers led by Vladimir (Alex Tritenko) warn the Jewish villagers that they will kill them if they do not stop casting spells against them. Anna is then faced with a decision that will put her at odds with both factions.
The characters by the whole cast are very good and play out the film making it look authentic to the era. I especially liked Hani Furstenberg’s performance as Hanna, the determined woman who wants to save the village and her marriage. Hani makes role a strong fighter for the Jews as they stand up against the Arian farmers. When she brings forth The Golem she has to make decisions beyond a battle with their neighbors.
The sets, locations, costumes, special effect visuals and sound are exceptionally well done. Doran and Yoav Paz do a fine job of transporting their audience to another time and country with excellent film work and production skills. And their research into The Kabbalah and according to legend about The Golem is spot on according to what I could find out on the internet. Check out the following websites: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/golem/ and https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-golem
The Golem has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains extreme violence, some sexuality, gore, and derogatory language. If you like your terror a bit different, than check out this film now on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Very good acting and story make this film worth watching. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Hani Furstenberg, Ishai Golan, Brynie Furstenberg, Adi Kvetner, Lenny Ravich, Alex Tritenko
Director: Doran Paz and Yoav Paz
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains extreme violence, sexuality, language
Genre: Horror, Drama
Running Time: 1 hr. 35 min.
Video Release Date: February 5, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date:
Foreign: Israel
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Epic Pictures
Released in: DVD, Blu-ray, VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
