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The Gatekeepers Review

  • Release Date: Feb 01, 2013
  • Rated: For violent content including disturbing images.
  • Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min.
  • Genres: Documentary
  • Director:Dror Moreh

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 5.0
    91

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Universal acclaim
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    While no film from the narrow perspective of Israeli intelligence could purport to offer a thorough view of the conflict, what makes The Gatekeepers ultimately so compelling is its pervasive sense of moral ambiguity.

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  • 100

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The film, by seasoned cinematographer Dror Moreh, is a feat — of access and of passionate and appropriately unsettling political commentary.

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  • 100

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    A documentary potent enough to alter how you see the world.

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  • 100

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times

    The Gatekeepers has a cold air to it: washed-out colors, tan ominous soundtrack, eerily floating satellite footage… The most chilling aspect, however, is the blunt commentary about the work itself.

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  • 100

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    The Israeli journalist Dror Moreh has hit a documentarian's trifecta with The Gatekeepers. It's an exemplary piece of enterprise journalism, a vivid history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and a polemic that's all the more remarkable for the shared experience of the polemicists.

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  • 100

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

    This is a great and necessary document in support of a two-state solution. Even those who don't believe in such a solution may find their minds changed by The Gatekeepers.

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  • 100

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Todd McCarthy

    This is one hot, provocative, revelatory and astonishing documentary, one sure to provoke enthralled interest and controversy wherever it is shown worldwide.

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  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    If you need reassurance or grounds for optimism about the Middle East, you will not find it here. What you will find is rare, welcome and almost unbearable clarity.

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  • 90

    out of 100

    Village Voice Michelle Orange

    The existence of The Gatekeepers is its own chief statement. You don't get the sense that it's any easier for these men to question Israel's leadership from the safety of retirement.

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  • See all The Gatekeepers reviews at Metacritic.com

Fan Reviews provided by

5

Important insights into Israel's Security situation by mgbglencoe
Not a "fun" film to watch, but an important one. Impressively made, seemingly objectively framed and positioned, and therefore well-positioned to help viewers understand aspects of Israel's security situation that have been unknown / hidden for decades.

5

Insightful, thoughtful must see by ek1
This amazing documentary deserves all the accolades it has been getting. If you want to know the road to peace, listen to the words of former Chiefs of Security in Israel talking about the failings of a violent approach against the Palestinian territories. Kudos to Israel for being a democracy with freedom of expression that permitted this challenging film to be produced.

5

The Gatekeepers by lemonwater
An outstanding documentary. Insight about the struggle between Israel and Palestinians from the point of view of the surviving former heads of Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency whose activities and membership are closely held state secrets. Their experience and insight into the problems and how they might have been avoided.

5

Stunning, Reflective Movie that Doesn't Overdo the Violence by dcmoviedude
The Gatekeepers is a movie about people struggling with their choices over decades to reduce a growing tide of violence in Israel following the 1967 War. There's enough footage of protests, car bombings, and targeted assassinations to frame the movie's context, but the violence is not overly done. Instead, this movie's drama lies in reflections of the previous heads of the Israel Secret Service. These men wrestle with the meaning and weight of their decisions and the collateral moral damage and existential questions that haunt them years/decades later. The movie is a compellingly honest self-reflection on the shades of grey that exist in the world where truth depends on one's point of view and there can be many truths, even though we seek certainty. The unanswered questions that drive this movie make it as compelling, if not more, than equally profound movies that offer a more decisive conclusion. The Gatekeepers will stick with you long after the ending credits roll.

2

missed it for me by wmjberg
I love all connections to Israel. For me the best part of the movie was trying to understand the hebrew without looking at the subtitles. I didn't understand why "The Gatekeepers " were talking about their experiences in the Shin Bet . I was so bored. I can't recommend this movie and don't even understand why anyone would be interested in hearing the gatekeepers speak about their days when they were the commanders.

5

Gatekeeper by sandgolds
All 4 of us found it to be a very moving, interesting, and challenging, as well as disturbing, movie. It is impressive that the film-maker found 6 former heads of Shin Bet who ALL felt based on what they?d experienced that Israel was handling the Palestinian crisis ?improperly.? I use ?improperly? as a catchall for adverbs like unwisely, immorally (or amorally?), unintelligently, illegally and/or others. Perhaps, the movie is a call to find and then to regain higher ground, in terms of morality and wisdom and of who Israel is

4

The Gatekeepers by lost_movie_snob
Even though the subject matter is riveting and serious, I almost fell asleep. Maybe a little too long and monotonous, it loses sight of the fact that all this has been going on for such a long time--War of 1967. I'll agree this is a very important film and it is fascinating to see that these men who have wielded such power finally acquire some wisdom and perspective on the futility of what they have done. There is no shortage of bravery exhibited here. But it is just frightening that none of this has really changed at all. It's hard to avoid the conclusions that religion is the root of all evil and that politics is religion's first cousin. Very, very depressing subject matter--juxtaposition of black and white and color is phenomenal too.

4

The Gatekeepers by DrBilly2
Maddening to know that those who you would think would want to annihilate the Palestinians, think otherwise. Of course the only way to end this worrisome debacle is to get both sides to the negotiating table, have a meaningful discourse, and negotiate. Both sides must give up a lot to save Israel and the eventual Palestinian State. The present day head in the sand approach that has been more or less going on for the past 50 years isn't and isn't going to work. This movie should be required viewing by every Jewish person, every Palestinian person, and all Muslims world wide. It is a good view by all those interested in Middle East politics and world opinions.

5

A lesson in Israeli Colonialism or the Mess. by jpodetc
Anyone who takes the time out to see this film, although slanted, the film that is, will have the advantage of insight into the the mess by listening to what is not said and following the logic of the filmmaker who brings the viewer down a path of middle east reality, and it is a mess. Not for the kids. Also, I would recommend the film Lemon Tree, which can be rented as it is not a current film.

4

A BRILLINAT DOCUMENTARY REVOLVING 6 FORMER LEADERS OF ISRAEL'S SHIN BET; SECURITY AGENCY. by Peneflix
Highly controversial but massively intriguing is Israeli filmmaker, Dror Moreh?s documentary revolving around six former leaders of Shin Bet; Israeli Security Agency, whose motto is ?unseen shield? or ?Defenders that shall not be seen?... Watching and listening to the true tales of these conflicted men; men whose existence has been informed by war, strife, threatened perpetually by hatred and flaming hostility from Palestinian terrorists; despotically powerful they decide when, where, and how to strike; to kill or not, regardless of collateral damage. Moreh convinces these men to reflect on their past actions and the consequences that ceaselessly haunt them. This is soul-searching at its deepest and most traumatic level; indubitable, lacerating honesty... FOUR STARS!!!! For Now…..Peneflix *** For full review please visit peneflix (dot) com!!!

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