This movie is a great historical documentary which goes far in giving the viewer a sense of the Palestinian question as it existed in 1977. I saw it in 1979 and remember it still. While the politics have become more complex by post-1977 Israeli policy, it does a succinct job of humanizing an issue which is oversimplified by sensationalism and allegiances in the Middle East, and is a "must see" for anyone who wishes to understand the Palestinian people as genuinely motivated by essential human needs. It also gives the viewer a sense of continuity with respect to the events of 9/11. What if we failed to take into account a basic respect for the human condition for 30 years, and thus missed an opportunity to diffuse a wellspring of escalating cries for help? The Palestinian is a documentary which, in retrospect, is such a harbinger.
Review of The Palestinian
