ABOVE AVERAGE

Ingrid Bergman’s last performance also became one of her best, as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir.

Framed by a visit to the Milwaukee of her childhood that she makes near the end of her career and life, this miniseries takes us through Golda’s humble beginnings, to the seat of power where she teaches her enemies, the leaders of neighboring Arab nations, that she can be just as tough.

Bergman captures Meir’s no-nonsense, chain-smoking charisma, elevating a biography that isn’t brave enough to touch on more controversial aspects of her leadership (especially Yom Kippur), but remains fully engaging throughout.

1982-U.S. 240 min. Color. Directed by Alan Gibson. Teleplay: Harold Gast, Steve Gethers. Music: Michel Legrand. Cast: Ingrid Bergman (Golda Meir), Judy Davis (Young Golda), Leonard Nimoy (Morris Meyerson), Anne Jackson, Ned Beatty, Robert Loggia, Nigel Hawthorne. 

Trivia: Shown either in two or four episodes. Nastassja Kinski was reportedly considered as young Golda.

Emmys: Outstanding Drama Special, Actress (Bergman). Golden Globe: Best Actress (Bergman). 

Last word: “It was sad to know each day that [Bergman] had cancer and didn’t have a lot of time left. It particularly affected one arm, which was quite swollen, she got that covered with wardrobe, including a ruffle, a ruffled cuff at the end of the sleeve to hide the swelling. And I was told that she was sleeping each night with her arm elevated in a sling to help drain some of the fluid that was swelling her arm.” (Nimoy, Slash Film)