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The Little Traitor

  • 2007
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Nathan Ravitz in The Little Traitor (2007)
Based on the novel "Panther in the Basement" by the world-renowned author, Amos Oz, the movie takes place in Palestine in 1947, just a few months before Israel becomes a state. Proffy Liebowitz, a militant yet sensitive eleven year old wants nothing more than for the occupying British to get the hell out of his land. Proffy and his two friends spend most of their time plotting ways to terrorize and/or blow up the British until one evening, while he's out after curfew, Proffy is seized by Sergeant Dunlop, a British officer. Instead of arresting him, he deposits him back home,but what ensues in the weeks to come is a friendship between these two foes. Proffy looks to Dunlop as a father figure as his own father is cold and remote. Dunlop, lonely and poetic, loves the spirited boy and they find lots to talk about in their meetings which Proffy must keep a secret from his friends and family. When Proffy's friends follow him one day and see that he has been visiting the detested enemy, they report him to the town officials and Proffy is brought to "trial" for being a traitor. He is eventually found innocent but these experiences shape him for life;especially the shock that he could have such genuine affection for the enemy.
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Drama

A coming of age tale of the unlikely bond between a kindly British soldier and a spirited Jewish boy set against the backdrop of the birth of the State of Israel.A coming of age tale of the unlikely bond between a kindly British soldier and a spirited Jewish boy set against the backdrop of the birth of the State of Israel.A coming of age tale of the unlikely bond between a kindly British soldier and a spirited Jewish boy set against the backdrop of the birth of the State of Israel.

  • Director
    • Lynn Roth
  • Writers
    • Lynn Roth
    • Amos Oz
  • Stars
    • Ido Port
    • Alfred Molina
    • Gilya Stern
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lynn Roth
    • Writers
      • Lynn Roth
      • Amos Oz
    • Stars
      • Ido Port
      • Alfred Molina
      • Gilya Stern
    • 17User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Little Traitor
    Trailer 1:59
    The Little Traitor
    The Little Traitor
    Trailer 1:58
    The Little Traitor
    The Little Traitor
    Trailer 1:58
    The Little Traitor

    Photos27

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Ido Port
    • Proffy
    Alfred Molina
    Alfred Molina
    • Dunlop
    Gilya Stern
    Gilya Stern
    • Miriam
    Rami Heuberger
    Rami Heuberger
    • Father
    Theodore Bikel
    Theodore Bikel
    • Interrogator
    Shmuel Shiloh
    Shmuel Shiloh
    • Mr. Lazarus
    Zachi Noy
    Zachi Noy
    • Mr. Gihon
    Levana Finkelstein
    Levana Finkelstein
    • Grandma Tykocinski
    Nathan Ravitz
    Nathan Ravitz
    • Adult Avi Leibowitz
    • (as Natan Ravich)
    Anat Klausner
    Anat Klausner
    • Yardena
    Ofer Shechter
    Ofer Shechter
    • British Soldier
    Yonatan Lahat
    • Ben Hur
    Guy Krasner
    • Chita
    Dafna Melzer
    Dafna Melzer
    • Rachel
    David Milton-Jones
    • British officer
    • (as David Milton John)
    Hisham Suliman
    Hisham Suliman
    • Arab Merchant #1
    • (as Hisham Suleiman)
    Tarik Kopty
    Tarik Kopty
    • Arab Merchant #2
    • (as Tarek Kupty)
    Amnon Wolf
    Amnon Wolf
    • British Guard
    • Director
      • Lynn Roth
    • Writers
      • Lynn Roth
      • Amos Oz
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    6.91.1K
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    Featured reviews

    8ascendant01

    Coming of age movie

    --- I am not going to write much here because I think you have to watch this movie rather than read about it. It was made in an excellent manner and had first rate actors with high kudos going to Ido Port as Proffy and Alfred Molina as Dunlop.

    --- Very essentially put this is a story about an 11 year old boy who carries on a friendship with a British "occupation" soldier in Israel just before it became Israel. The boy learns the hard way that sometimes your enemy can treat you better than your supposed friends and that although innocent friendship can and should be something one can treasure for life, it can also be called treason by the ignorant. I won't tell more for fear of telling to much.

    --- The story is told in a very sweet way and is a well made coming of age movie. I don't think many people would be disappointed with the time investment to watch this one.
    10hjfbd

    This movie needs to be seen now

    What a beautiful, simply told, elegant film. A film that should be seen NOW. With all the strife in the Middle East and hatred filling the news and media, this film reaffirms our faith in love, understanding and unity in a complicated world. I do not cry in movies often.....this wonderful film got to my heart AND mind. This is what movies have been missing for so long.....a simply story told directly and honestly. There is no pulling on emotional heart strings.....no special effects.....no plot shocks at the end. Just an honest story expertly laid out by a director who trusts the story being told and her wonderful cast who executes the tale with honest emotion. This film is one to be cherished.
    9denar427

    friendship between a British soldier and a young Israeli boy just prior to the formation of the state of Israel

    This story was told beautifully. it is like watching a truffaut film. It is one of those films that allow you to experience a moment in time. It is told simply and clearly with a wonderful performance by Alfred Molina. the young boys are at the same time earnest in their beliefs and headstrong in their rebellious strategy. The setting of Israel 1948 is very authentic and very aptly captures a time past. Seeing Jews, Arabs, Christians coexisting in daily life is a rarely seen way of life. It is important to see that this did and can exist. This aspect of the struggles prior to the formation of the state of Israel is very interesting and relevant , especially now. The Little Traitor captures both the energy and the sensitivity of the time. I think it is a movie that will appeal to a cross section of ages and backgrounds. I think that it is a rare film that can be enjoyed by a family together and will teach about history, hope and humanity.
    10dolce222

    Substantive and Entertaining

    Really glad to see this movie is coming out. Saw it at a film festival where it got a standing ovation. Went with my daughter(age 14) and husband (age 68) and me (age 50) and all three of us just loved it. It deals with an interesting time of history, the British Mandate in Palestine and offers an even handed view. Performances are all around good. The little boy is exceptional and Alfred Molina is one of our favorites. The movie isn't sappy but it's hopeful, good hearted and VERY entertaining. You leave the theater feeling good. Would recommend to all my friends and wouldn't be surprised if this film picked up some real momentum.
    8kent-219

    A treat for all ages

    This movie is a little gem. Definitely not a historic film, this semi-autobiography of author Amos Oz is an exploration of human interactions during the time of the British occupation in Mandatory Palestine. I would have given the film another star, but was slightly rattled when I missed a musical "fill" when it was necessary, and looked for more "goofs" when what appeared to be a plastic bag drifted across a shot early on in the movie, set in the 1940s. In addition, I awaited (and received) the obligatory Oz political stance on the situation in Israel. That is something I believe the film could have done without, since it is an otherwise charming piece. After the showing, the producer gave a little background into the making of the movie (incredibly small budget, all-Israeli crew, Molina phoning and asking for a role in the film). That was an extra treat. I will definitely buy the DVD when it comes out, and will recommend it to my kids. It's a story of emotions overcoming the clash of stereotypical enemies.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Ido and Rami plays father and son for the 2nd time. Their first movie together as father and son was in the movie Dear Mr. Waldman in 2006.
    • Goofs
      The young actor who plays Proffy through most of the movie is left-handed; but at the end when they show a grown-up Proffy/Avi, he's signing books with his right hand.
    • Quotes

      Proffy: Shalom, sergeant Dunlop.

    • Soundtracks
      Lamidbar
      Written and performed by Mike Stein

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    FAQ19

    • How long is The Little Traitor?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 2, 2009 (Israel)
    • Countries of origin
      • Israel
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site (United States)
    • Languages
      • Hebrew
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mali izdajnik
    • Filming locations
      • Israel
    • Production companies
      • Evanstone Films Ltd.
      • Panther Productions (III)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,700,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $402,088
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,330
      • Oct 25, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $454,481
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 28m(88 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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