Sallah

I have a collection of films with Topol. He has passed, and has now become a treasure. Any collection of his old films has to include this gem.

Among the top 50 Israeli films, this one is likely to appear on everyone's list. Topol is absolutely hilarious as an incorrigible layabout who is always looking for a (creative) way to avoid work. For example, many know that donors to Israel are promised a grove or tree in their name. Rather than plant new trees, Topol goes about changing the names assigned to the trees already planted...making sure he gets advance notice of the donors about to visit "their grove." From a serious standpoint, the film does exhibit some of the real problems that immigrants face in adjusting to life in Israel including the poor quality of some of the accomodations. For fans of Topol, check out some of his other films such as Left Luggage or Galileo.

This movie reflects the difficulty of adjusting to life in a foreign country. For people who experienced life in the early years of a new state trying to sort out the system, Sallah can be very funny, even though it is quite old. The characters were not really fleshed out, but they clearly represent the stereotyped figures of immigrants from different continents. Ultimately, there is hope for the future in the generation of our children.

Just a classic of early Israeli comedy, and priceless. Best for its cultural insight, sublime tongue in cheek humor, truth, and...everything else.

I got this DVD because of the language and because of the positive reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. It started out very slow and even boring and then turned out to be more amusing as I began to grasp Sallah's humorous side. I guess it is one of those films you need to watch over and over again to fully appreciate. I do not regret buying it.

Third time seeing it and I still loved it. It encapsulates the maybe stereotypical differences between the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews in the beginning of the modern Israeli state, but the flavor is just right.

Despite being a very old B&W movie, this is one of the best comedies I have ever seen. It is also a satire of immigration cultural differences and bureaucracy in the early stater of Israel.

A delightful funny take on life in Israel as that nations was just learning how to be. Loved it! The characters just endear themselves to you. Great acting!

Self-endearing humour at its best. A wonderful insight into the Jewish mindset and the human ability to be able to laugh at oneself. Wonderful! A classic!

Si vous aimez la satire et la comédie italienne des années 50-60 à la mode Ettore Scola ou Alberto Sordi, vous serez servis. Précipitez vous sur cette pépite.