Parents' Guide to Exodus

Movie NR 1960 208 minutes
Exodus movie poster: A drawing of hands emerging out of flames holding a rifle

Common Sense Media Review

Stefan Pape By Stefan Pape , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Contentious historical epic on the founding of Israel.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Exodus Trailer
  • Exodus: Paul Newman and another man, both in uniform, facing Eva Marie Saint
  • Exodus: Paul Newman, a blond woman, and a blond girl by a railing

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What's the Story?

EXODUS delves into the tense years post-World War II, as Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors are detained at an internment camp in Cyprus by the British. Ari Ben Canaan (Paul Newman) vies to smuggle hundreds of these Jewish people out of the camp on a cargo ship and off to Palestine. The founding of the State of Israel then occurs, as the United Nations votes to partition the land into two states, the "Jewish State" and the "Arab State." This series of events ensures tensions mount between the two, leading to a brutal conflict.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Otto Preminger's 1960 historical epic has a real place in Hollywood history, albeit it's a film that is telling an important story through a specific lens. Despite being three and a half hours long, Exodus maintains your attention, given the masterful pacing, and the way it builds up to its climactic finale. The film also feels like it's two tales, with the first being the story of the escape from Cyprus, with Newman's character fronting the courageous voyage in helping hundreds of Jewish people flee to Palestine. The second of course taking on a great political context, as the forming of the State of Israel occurs. Dealing with this subject was always going to make for a contentious film and decades later it still divides opinions, given it leans more into being pro-Israel. But when stripped back the film does perpetuate the notion of harmony, and while it may neglect listening to both sides, the overriding message is that people should be able to live together. Though of course there is a far greater deal of complexity with the situation, which simply can't be ignored.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the historical context of Exodus. What did you know about this period of history before watching the film? Has it inspired you to learn more? Why is it still relevant today?

  • Talk about some of the film's violence and threat. How impactful was it? How to talk with kids about violence, crime, and war.

  • Did you feel the movie gave a voice to both sides of the conflict? Why might that be important?

Movie Details

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Exodus movie poster: A drawing of hands emerging out of flames holding a rifle

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