Proffi Liebowitz is a militant yet sensitive boy who wants nothing more than for the occupying British to leave his land. He 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, Proffi is seized by Sergeant Dunlop. Instead of arresting him, the British officer deposits Proffi back home, and soon the foes become friends. Proffi, who is estranged from his own father, begins to see Dunlop as a parental
figure. Dunlop, lonely and poetic, loves the spirited boy and they find lots to talk about in their meetings, which Proffi must keep a secret. When Proffi's friends follow him one day and see that he has been visiting the detested enemy, they report him to the town officials and Proffi 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.
It's easy to see how parents and teachers of school-aged kids could find "The Little Traitor" useful to begin an introductory conversation about tolerance and friendship. But the film's childish tone does little to enlighten the rest of us.
The film slams to a halt every time Port opens his mouth and widens his gee-willikers peepers; since he's the titular traitor and is in virtually every scene, Roth's film never has much of a chance.
Poignant, child's view of the summer of 1947, just before the sun set on the Brit Empire in Jerusalem and everything changed, but does't catch the ruefulness of Oz's novel.
Shooting on locations in Jerusalem, the film feels real and authentic with Roth getting the most out of the local atmosphere but itâ(TM)s her fine screenplay and keen eye for casting that makes The Little Traitor stand out from the pack.
a little charmer of a coming-of-age piece about a jewish boy in british occupied palestine (soon to be israel ...soon to be israel / palestine ... soon to be ... oh hell, you already know!) before the 1948 liberation. great if your want to see jerusalem and indulge in a little cultural splurge.
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