A Woman Called Golda is a 1982 American made-for-television film biopic of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir directed by Alan Gibson and starring Ingrid Bergman in what would become the final production she would star in before her death. It also features Ned Beatty, Franklin Cover, Judy Davis, Anne Jackson, Robert Loggia, Leonard Nimoy, and Jack Thompson.
A Woman Called Golda was produced by Paramount Domestic Television for syndication and was distributed by Operation Prime Time. The film premiered on April 26, 1982.
Contents
Plot
In 1977, Golda Meir returns to her old school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she tells the students her life story. She recounts her early years in Russia, and how her family emigrated to America to avoid the persecution of Jews throughout Europe. As a young woman, Golda dreams of fighting for a country for all Jews of the world. She marries Morris Meyerson, and they eventually move to Palestine to work in a kibbutz, although they soon end up leaving, much to Golda's disappointment. They move to Jerusalem and have two children, but Golda's tremendous ambition soon drives her and Morris apart, although they remain married until his death in 1951.
Golda is elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, resigning after the Yom Kippur War in 1974.
The film ends with President Anwar Sadat of Egypt arriving in Israel.
Cast
Ingrid Bergman as Golda Meir
Ned Beatty as Senator Durward
Franklin Cover as Hubert Humphrey
Judy Davis as Young Golda
Anne Jackson as Lou Kaddar
Robert Loggia as Anwar Sadat
Leonard Nimoy as Morris Meyerson
Jack Thompson as Ariel
Anthony Bate as Sir Stuart Ross
Ron Berglas as Stampler
Bruce Boa as Mr. Macy
David de Keyser as David Ben-Gurion
Barry Foster as Major Orde Wingate
Nigel Hawthorne as King Abdullah
Yossi Graber as Moshe Dayan
Oded Teomi as David Elazar
Production
The mini series launched the international career of Australian actor Jack Thompson. It was one of a string of films where he supported a female star on American television.
Reception
Christian Science Monitor critic Arthur Unger wrote that Bergman gave "the best television performance of this year or, perhaps, any other year," and that Davis "plays the young Golda with such believable intensity that she has already created an indelible character for Miss Bergman to take over as the older Golda." Unger wrote:"Without resorting to globs of makeup, somehow arranging her own Swedish accent to imply the Meir accent without making it an imitation or a parody, Miss Bergman manages to convey the essence of Mrs. Meir's character and the strength of her all-consuming dedication to her cause."
New York Times critic John J. O'Connor said that Bergman gave "a truly remarkable performance" but faulted the film for "gimmicks" and for giving a selective view of history, saying the film "makes little or no effort to assuage critics of Zionism."
In some countries the film was broadcast as a 2-part or 4-part mini series.
Awards and accolades
At the 34th Primetime Emmy Awards, the film received seven Emmy nominations and won three awards, including the Outstanding Drama Special and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Ingrid Bergman, which was awarded posthumously (the award was accepted by Bergman's daughter Pia Lindström). Leonard Nimoy received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Special as well as Judy Davis (as the young Golda Meir) for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Special.
The film was also nominated for two Golden Globes and won the award for Best Performance by an Actress for Bergman, again awarded posthumously.