Protocols of Zion (2004)

70% of critics liked it
(56 reviews)
41% of users liked it
(13,156 ratings)

Near the dawn of the 20th century, underlings of Czar Nicholas II created a book called The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which purported to be the outline of a master plan created by powerful Jews determined to rule the world. First published in 1903, the essay was a hoax (and was revealed as… More Near the dawn of the 20th century, underlings of Czar Nicholas II created a book called The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which purported to be the outline of a master plan created by powerful Jews determined to rule the world. First published in 1903, the essay was a hoax (and was revealed as such for the first time in 1921 by the London Times), but that hasn't prevented it from having a long and troubling life as a widely distributed cornerstone of anti-Semitic hate literature; it's still in print around the world, and was adapted for Egyptian television in the new millennium. When filmmaker Marc Levin was confronted with another widely disseminated bit of anti-Jewish propaganda (the false assertion that no Jews died in the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001), he developed a new curiosity about the Protocols and other "factual" sources of anti-Semitic hatred, and set out to find out more about anti-Jewish propaganda. The result was Protocols of Zion, a documentary which offers a surprising (and surprisingly witty) look at figures from the hate movement in America in elsewhere, ranging from leader of the neo-Nazi National Alliance (who also sells Aryan Wear footwear) to an anti-Semitic media analyst who announces that Rupert Murdoch is actually a Jew. The film also examines Henry Ford's well-documented hatred of Jews, anti-Semitism among radical African-Americans, and the memories of Levin's father, a self-described "All-American Jew." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Marc Levin
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest

In Theaters: Oct 21, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jul 11, 2006
Studio: ThinkFilm

Critic Reviews

Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
It's probably useful for the world to know the extreme lengths to which bigotry is willing to travel; Protocols may not be the best-made documentary, but it definitely fills in those blanks.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Protocols ultimately lacks the focus and the scope to have much effect beyond causing us to shake our heads in dismay at the usual suspects: ignorance and those who would exploit it.
Tom Long, Detroit News
Rambling and disjointed, Protocols of Zion starts out pretty interesting and then begins skidding all over the place, losing focus just as it should be building momentum.
Allison Benedikt, Chicago Tribune
Purporting to look at the roots of modern-day anti-Semitism, Levin only has eyes for a well-worn checklist of Jew-haters and oppressors, his shoddy search for answers turning up not a single one.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The new documentary Protocols of Zion would be almost funny if it weren't so downright disgusting. And depressing.
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Even though his (Director Levin) is a circular journey, it's an interesting trip.
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
A picture which makes a great case against intolerance simply by shedding a bright light on ignorance.
Dan Lybarger, eFilmCritic.com
No matter how well Levin had made this film, there will still be those who will accept the Protocols and other bogus documents as fact. Still, it's reassuring to know that somebody has the courage to challenge the lies and to examine why they've been so s
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Marc Levin's film isn't a masterpiece but it is something to stick up the *** of anyone who believes in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
The only civilized response to this display of abject ignorance, hatred and bigotry is one of anguished despair, but Levin's film enlightens as much as it enrages.
William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Jewish filmmaker Marc Levin (Slam) embarks on a personal odyssey to explore the roots of the fraud, its impact on Jewish history of the 20th century and its acceptance among the Jew-haters of our troubled time.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Traces the oldest prejudice in the world, the hatred of the Jews, and how it rears its ugly head in contemporary times.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Illuminates manifestations of anti-Semitism without ever really elucidating or posing solutions to the problem.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
The central message is that people who want to hate will embrace anything that supports their beliefs.
Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
A personal odyssey through bigotry and anti-Semitism in the post-9/11 world.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
A film that's much more entertaining than you think it will be, while also being just as depressing and angering as you think it will be.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
It is an important film, especially given the racial and ethnic strife that's only worsened around the world as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Protocols of Zion should be required viewing for all.
Peter Debruge, Miami Herald
Levin's film is most effective as it objectively documents the history of international anti-Semitism, but loses ground whenever it reverts back to anecdotal coverage of the subject.