Originally released in 1970, filmmaker Larry Frisch’s historical documentary explores the origins, rise, and stunning resiliency of the modern State of Israel after declaring it’s independence in 1948. At the end of World War II, Jewish refugees all across Europe flooded into Palestine in search of refuge. Each year, tens of thousands of new refugees would arrive, ultimately leading to the birth of the State of Israel. But their troubles weren’t over yet, because the moment Israel declared independence the five surrounding Arab nations vowed to destroy the fledgling Jewish state. It was the resulting victory over their enemies that helped the State of Israel prove their military might, though their skills in engineering were just as impressive as they went about transforming a barren desert into a prosperous nation. This is the story of the State of Israel, and it’s remarkable struggle to stay alive against all odds.
