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A Woman Called Golda

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A Woman Called Golda
Ingrid Bergman in A Woman Called Golda
GenreBiography
Drama
History
Written byHarold Gast
Steve Gethers
Directed byAlan Gibson
StarringIngrid Bergman
Ned Beatty
Franklin Cover
Judy Davis
Anne Jackson
Robert Loggia
Leonard Nimoy
Jack Thompson
Theme music composerMichel Legrand
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerHarve Bennett
ProducersGene Corman
Lynn Guthrie
CinematographyAdam Greenberg
EditorRobert F. Shugrue
Running time240 minutes
Production companiesHarve Bennett Productions
Paramount Television Domestic Distribution
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseApril 26, 1982 (1982-04-26)

A Woman Called Golda is a 1982 American made-for-television film biopic of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir directed by Alan Gibson and starring Ingrid Bergman in what would become the final production she would star in before her death. It also features Ned Beatty, Franklin Cover, Judy Davis, Anne Jackson, Robert Loggia, Leonard Nimoy, and Jack Thompson.

A Woman Called Golda was produced by Paramount Domestic Television for syndication and was distributed by Operation Prime Time.[1] The film premiered on April 26, 1982.

Plot

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Ingrid Bergman, Yossi Graber (with eyepatch) and the make up team

In 1977, Golda Meir returns to her old school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she tells the students her life story. She recounts her early years in Russia, and how her family emigrated to America to avoid the persecution of Jews throughout Europe. As a young woman, Golda dreams of fighting for a country for all Jews of the world. She marries Morris Meyerson, and they eventually move to Palestine to work in a kibbutz, although they soon end up leaving, much to Golda's disappointment. They move to Jerusalem and have two children, but Golda's tremendous ambition soon drives her and Morris apart, although they remain married until his death in 1951.

Golda is elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, resigning after the Yom Kippur War in 1974.

The film ends with President Anwar Sadat of Egypt arriving in Israel.

Cast

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Reception

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Christian Science Monitor critic Arthur Unger wrote that Bergman gave "the best television performance of this year or, perhaps, any other year," and that Davis "plays the young Golda with such believable intensity that she has already created an indelible character for Miss Bergman to take over as the older Golda." Unger wrote:"Without resorting to globs of makeup, somehow arranging her own Swedish accent to imply the Meir accent without making it an imitation or a parody, Miss Bergman manages to convey the essence of Mrs. Meir's character and the strength of her all-consuming dedication to her cause."[1]

New York Times critic John J. O'Connor said that Bergman gave "a truly remarkable performance" but faulted the film for "gimmicks" and for giving a selective view of history, saying the film "makes little or no effort to assuage critics of Zionism."[2]

In some countries the film was broadcast as a 2-part or 4-part mini series.

Awards and accolades

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At the 34th Primetime Emmy Awards, the film received seven Emmy nominations and won three awards, including the Outstanding Drama Special and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Ingrid Bergman, which was awarded posthumously (the award was accepted by Bergman's daughter Pia Lindström).[3] Leonard Nimoy received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special as well as Judy Davis (as the young Golda Meir) for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Special.

The film was also nominated for two Golden Globes and won the award for Best Performance by an Actress for Bergman, again awarded posthumously.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Unger, Arthur (April 22, 1982). "Ingrid Bergman as Golda Meir: an indelible portrait". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  2. ^ O'Connor, John J. (1982-04-25). "TV VIEW; INGRID BERGMAN'S GOLDA MEIR--A REMARKABLE PORTRAYAL". New York Times. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  3. ^ Smith, Julia Llewelyn (August 25, 2015). "Isabella Rossellini on Ingrid Bergman's painful final days". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  4. ^ Stanley, John (May 3, 2009). "DVD: 'A Woman Called Golda'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
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