IMDb > "Masada" (1981)

"Masada" (1981) More at IMDbPro »TV mini-series


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Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   849 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Ernest K. Gann (story)
Joel Oliansky (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Masada on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 April 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
After the destruction of the Second Temple, 900 Jewish zealots hold out against a 5000 man Roman legion on the mountaintop fortress of Masada. full summary
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations more
User Comments:
Spectacular! Best mini-series more (18 total)

Cast

  (Series Credited cast)

Peter O'Toole ... General Cornelius Flavius Silva

Peter Strauss ... Eleazar ben Yair
Barbara Carrera ... Sheva
Anthony Quayle ... Rubrius Gallus
David Warner ... Senator Pomponius Falco
Giulia Pagano ... Miriam
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Reuven Bar-Yotam ... Joshua (Butcher) (as Reuben Bar Yotam)

Richard Basehart ... Narrator
John Terry Bell ... Israeli Master of Ceremonies
Heinz Bernard ... Elder (as Heinz Bernhard)
Christopher Biggins ... Claudius Albinus, Falco's secretary
David A. Block ... Reuben
Christal Blue ... Fatima

Nick Brimble ... Milades
Warren Clarke ... Plinius (mutineer)
Nigel Davenport ... Senator Mucianus

Vernon Dobtcheff ... Chief Priest
Michael Elphick ... Vettius
Alan Feinstein ... Aaron
Clive Francis ... Attius, Head Tribune and Vespasian's spy

Patrick Gorman ... Tribune
David Hooks ... Kophar
Ken Hutchison ... Fronto
George Innes ... Titus (as George Peter Innes)
Alex Karras ... Roman Soldier
David Mauro ... Epos, Silva's servant

Kevin McNally ... Norbanus
Derek Newark ... Engineering Officer
David Opatoshu ... Shimon
Alexander Peleg ... Zidon (as Alex Peleg)
John Phillips ... Centurion
Richard Pierson ... Ephraim
Denis Quilley ... General Marcus Quadratus
Norman Rossington ... Maro

Joe Sagal ... Seth (as Joey Sagal)
Michael Schneider ... Surgeon

William Morgan Sheppard ... Sergeant (as Morgan Sheppard)
Michael Shillo ... Ezra
Paul L. Smith ... Gideon
Ray Smith ... Lentius - Would-Be Assassin

Anthony Valentine ... Merovius, Head Tribune
Jack Watson ... Decurion
Diana Webster ... Quintilia
Timothy West ... Emperor Vespasian

Joseph Wiseman ... Jerahmeel, Head Essene
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Antagonists (UK)
more
Runtime:
394 min | Argentina:131 min | Finland:122 min (theatrical version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In order to avoid the heat of the Israeli desert, the crew employed a unique shooting schedule: they divided the day into three eight-hour segments and only shot either late at night or early in the morning. They avoided shooting between late morning and late afternoon, the hottest part of the day. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: During the scene in which the Jews are ascending the trail up to the summit of Masada, a vehicle the size of a bus can clearly be seen travelling on a road in the background more
Quotes:
Senator Pomponius Falco: [arriving in camp during the heat of day] So much for atheism! There is a Hell! This is it! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Dead End (1985) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 6 people found the following comment useful.
Spectacular! Best mini-series, 1 October 2000
9/10
Author: p_aybarra from Athens, Georgia, USA

Peter O'Toole and Peter Strauss were both great. This is probably one of O'Toole's better performances. Great story, excellent cast, spectacular locations, great performances from Barbara Carrera, Anthony Quayle, and David Warner. This mini-series is definitely well worth your time. This is based on the book, The Antagonists, by Ernest K. Gann. I read it, and the "sequel", The Triumph. Read both books, if you can find them. The Triumph is the story of Flavius Silva after Masada. Almost as entertaining as the movie.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Masada" (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Deleted scenes? vanesselen
The height of the real Masada makes this movie impossible? kinglerch
The Ramp erikbeale
Masada Mini series hrh29
Great movie in uncertain times. Dbusdriver71
Out in R2 on Monday rebelstrike
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