Made in 1959 by Jean Leduc, this French language film “Israel Frontiere Zero / Israel Zero Border” was a part of a series called “Le Monde En Action / The World in Action” presents a unique look at the State of Israel and the City of Tel Aviv in this era.

Made roughly 10 years after the founding of the State of Israel, the film begins with a look back at events of 1948. The creation of Israel from the British Mandate led to enormous conflict in the area. The film is presented in association with Le Figaro (:10). Headlines from the paper appear in the background. The film is presented by Le Monde En Action (:25). A train leaves from the Tel Aviv station (:30). Israeli pedestrian’s moves through the station (:37). An aerial view of the city and its pale cornered buildings (:45). The Mediterranean Sea runs up against Tel-Aviv (:50). Ground views show modern automobiles on modern highways (:57). Locals enjoy refreshment at open air cafes (1:01). A Le Figaro paper sits in the window (1:14). A woman sells flat cakes to pedestrians (1:20). A young girl searches through shoes sold by an outdoor vendor (1:32). Black Nazi symbols are scratched onto a billboard (1:38). A coupe slowly approach the billboard (1:46) with wary expression. The emblem of the State of Israel follows (1:55). Housing appears (2:01). Children run barefoot through open grass (2:07). A map notes borders of the country (2:31). An Israeli IDF military jeep rides by cacti (2:41). The Bauhaus architecture of the city is displayed (3:02). An Israeli flag waves (3:12). The Abbey of the Dormition is pictured on the far right of the screen (3:17). The camera pans over the city of Jordan (3:19). A city bus moves by (3:25). Clothes hang to dry through the slums (3:37). Signs warn of trespassing (3:47). Poor and sick move though narrow alleys (3:55). A young Hasidic Jewish kid smokes a butt (4:19). Other Hasidic Jews are pictured (4:26). Female Israeli soldiers march (4:46) and images are shown of wrecked vehicles at the side of the road, left over from the 1948 war. The Knesset menorah appears before Wohl Rose Park (5:25). Aerial footage of Jerusalem follows (5:35). Soldiers march for a massive military parade (5:42). Shimon Peres speaks (6:00). He was the eighth Prime Minister and 9th President of Israel. His political career spanned 70 years. Covered vehicles (6:33) and antiaircraft weaponry (6:41) follow. Moshe Dayan speaks (6:44). Dayan is one of the most well-known leading Israeli military leaders and politicians. A T-34/85 tank appears (6:47). Bombed out cars and military rubble follow (6:51). A radio man makes a call from the radio car (7:33). A sprinkler system throws irrigated water over farmlands (8:24). Youth help harvest wheat (8:51). Haifa appears as an area of heavy industry (9:08). A mine (9:16) and a steel mill (9:43) follow as a goat grazes nearby displaying reconstruction of the area. The golden dome of the Shrine of the Bab is pictured encircled by the Bahi gardens (9:47). Merchant ships are docked at the Jaffa Port (10:02). Crates marked for Jaffa are lifted by crane (10:08). The city of Eilat is noted on a map (10:23). Desert lands of Eilat follow (10:26). Boats rest on the Red Sea (10:48). The Danish ship; Birgitte Toft (10:53) appears. This was the first vessel to move through Aquaba. It was constructed in 1937. The camera zooms in on soldiers faces (11:55). A group of women enjoy the rocky shoreline (12:10). A sign warns travelers of trespassing (12:19). A vessel from the passenger and cargo line Artsa appears (12:37). Passengers (12:42) and cargo unload (13:22). A Bristol 175 Britannia 313 delivers more immigrants (13:23). Cargo is taken to newly constructed homes (13:53). Israeli flags wave (14:15). Histadrut (14:25) is Israel’s national trade union center founded in 1920. A monument dedicated to Dov Gruner stands in Ramat Gan Israel (14:35). A sign warns of radioactive danger (14:41). Posters advertise films such as one featuring the actor Yves Montand (15:31). Another poster for the musician Louis Armstrong is stuck next to it (15:31). Civilians hang around a jukebox for entertainment (15:43). The Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv (16:03) follows. The menorah is light up at night (16:15). The film concludes as civilians worship with burning torches (16:22).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com