The Hebrew Hammer (2003)

Director:

Jonathan Kesselman

Writer:

Jonathan Kesselman (writer)

Release Date:

25 March 2004 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Part man. Part street. 100% kosher.

Plot:

An orthodox Jewish blaxploitation hero saves Hanukkah from the clutches of Santa Claus's evil son.

Plot Keywords:

Digital Film | Christmas | Desert Eagle | Hanukkah | Santa Claus

Cast

Adam Goldberg	...	Mordechai Jefferson Carver
Judy Greer	...	Esther Bloomenbergensteinenthal
Andy Dick	...	Damian Claus
Mario Van Peebles	...	Mohammed Ali Paula Abdul Rahim
Peter Coyote	...	JJL Chief Bloomenbergensteinenthal
Nora Dunn	...	Mrs. Carver
Sean Whalen	...	Tiny Tim
Tony Cox	...	Jamal
Richard Riehle	...	Santa
Melvin Van Peebles	...	Sweetback
Rachel Dratch	...	Tikva
Harrison Chad	...	Schlomo
Jim Petersmith	...	Skinhead Bartender
Annie McEnroe	...	Mrs. Highsmith
Grant Rosenmeyer	...	Young Mordechai

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexual references and drug use.

Runtime:

85 min | Argentina:87 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew | Yiddish

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Unrated | USA:R | Australia:M | Argentina:13

Company:

Intrinsic Value Films

Trivia:

The original script called for a cameo from US Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Con), but Lieberman turned it down, so the role went to former New York City mayor Edward I. Koch, who was recruited at the last minute by one of the producers.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Mordechai and Mohammed are entering Santa's workshop, the set for the Jewish Atomic Clock scene can be seen behind them.

Quotes:

Mordechai Jefferson Carver: [praying with tefillin] Baruch atah adonoi... I don't know what the hell I'm saying.
Mohammed Ali Paula Abdul Rahim: What you doing?
Mordechai Jefferson Carver: I'm prayin' to God we don't kill ourselves gettin' over this wall.

Movie Connections:

References The Mummy (1999)

Jewsploitation at its best (and only)!

Though it's been compared to Mel Brooks' films, the humour in the Hebrew Hammer is much broader and exploits far more stereotypes than Mel Brooks ever managed to. Some people doubtless consider this a bad thing, but in the grand tradition of politically incorrect comedy, the movie is funny regardless.

Intentionally reminiscent of the Blaxploitation films of the seventies, the Hebrew Hammer is full of modern references as well as classic Jewish humour. The script is fast-paced and clever, and has some brilliant one-liners. Watch out for the bagels.

Although certainly not a film for the easily-offended, those capable of looking at Jewish stereotypes and laughing at them will enjoy this movie very much. The sheer camp, though not something I usually like, works very well with this particular script and format. Don't pass it up just because it looks bad--it's supposed to look bad. That's half the point.