“…the very model of a meticulous yet exciting step-by-step account of a major historical event.”
“…an emotionally powerful account.”
After World War II, a group of private American citizens banded together in a clandestine effort to transport Holocaust survivors to Palestine. On July 11, 1947, in the port of Sète, France, 4,500 Jewish Holocaust refugees were crammed into the hull of a decrepit steamship, President Warfield, later named Exodus 1947.
A British blockade intercepted Exodus 1947 in international waters off the coast of Palestine. The tense standoff culminated in a direct attack by military personnel against the unarmed civilians on the ship. This highly publicized international incident heavily influenced the United Nations resolution authorizing the partitioning of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states.
Thus, the Exodus 1947 voyage acted as a catalyst in forming the new State of Israel.
The documentary film focuses on clandestine and “illegal” American efforts to finance and crew the most infamous of ten American ships that attempted to bring Jewish refugees to Palestine.
EXODUS 1947 is a one-hour PBS documentary narrated by Morley Safer with a score by Ilan Rechtman. The film is a richly layered program, constructed with first-person accounts to recall events that shaped world history.
For teachers, students and researchers.
Exodus 1947 is a documentary that chronicles the journey of a ship carrying 4,500 Holocaust survivors trying to reach Palestine in July 1947. The film explores the events surrounding the ship, originally named the President Warfield, which was intercepted by British naval forces, leading to a significant international incident that influenced the creation of the State of Israel.
The Exodus 1947 documentary is co-directed by Elizabeth Rodgers and Robby Henson, with narration by Morley Safer and a score by Ilan Rechtman.
The voyage of Exodus 1947 is considered a catalyst for global sympathy towards the plight of Holocaust survivors, ultimately contributing to the United Nations' resolution to partition Palestine and establish a Jewish state. The PBS documentary highlights the clandestine efforts of American citizens who financed and crewed the ship, emphasizing the broader struggle for Jewish immigration rights during that period.
The runtime of Exodus 1947 is approximately one hour.
The documentary is available for streaming on Amazon Prime and IndieFlix, and has aired on PBS. It has also been shown at film festivals and special screenings.
The film combines first-person accounts from the ship's crew and passengers with archival newsreel footage, providing a comprehensive view of the events and emotions surrounding the voyage.
The harsh treatment of the ship's passengers, Holocaust survivors, by British forces garnered widespread media attention and public outrage, leading to protests and increased support for Jewish immigration to Palestine. This incident played a crucial role in shifting public sentiment in favor of establishing a Jewish state after World War II.
Critics have praised Exodus 1947 as a meticulous and emotionally powerful account of a significant historical event (Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter). It has been described as both informative and engaging, making it suitable for audiences interested in history and social justice.
Many people mistake the novel Exodus by Leon Uris, and the feature film Exodus by Otto Preminger starring Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint, for history. The real story of the Exodus 1947 voyage is quite different. The Exodus 1947 documentary is the true story of the "illegal" immigration to Palestine following World War II.
The Exodus 1947 holds significant historical importance as a pivotal event in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. Its story exemplifies the struggles of Holocaust survivors and their quest for a homeland in the wake of immense tragedy.
Historical context. The Exodus 1947 set sail in July 1947, carrying over 4,500 Jewish refugees, most of whom were Holocaust survivors. This voyage took place during a period known as Aliyah Bet, when Jews attempted to immigrate to Palestine despite British restrictions.
The journey and its aftermath. The ship's journey from France to Palestine ended dramatically when British forces intercepted it near the coast of Palestine. In the ensuing struggle, several passengers were killed and many more injured. The British then forcibly returned the refugees to Europe, first to France and then to Germany, where they were interned in displaced persons camps.
Global impact. The plight of the passengers captured worldwide attention, becoming a powerful symbol of the Jewish refugees' struggle and the fight for unrestricted immigration to Palestine. It garnered significant media coverage, sparked protests and hunger strikes among displaced persons in camps across Europe, and contributed to shifting public opinion in favor of Jewish statehood.
Historical significance. The incident highlighted the ongoing plight of Holocaust survivors, intensified international pressure on Britain regarding its Palestine policy, and galvanized support for the establishment of a Jewish state, contributing to the recognition of Israel in 1948.
For screenings, educational licensing or press: say hello.
What do you do when people are in trouble and nobody in charge is coming to help?
Bill Bernstein and his friends had no experience, no money, and no orders. What they did have was a rusting ferry, 4,515 Holocaust survivors who had nowhere to go, and the stubborn belief that somebody should do something.
Told through Bill’s letters and home movies by the filmmaker who has spent 35 years with his story, this is a talk about what happens when ordinary people decide to show up.
Elizabeth Rodgers gives this 40-minute talk in person, illustrated throughout with archival photographs and film.
Book a talkInspired by the true story of Exodus 1947, Elizabeth Rodgers is writing a YA historical novel told through the eyes of an American crew member.
Follow the book