3/5 When The Shofar Sounds The Faithful Will Gather ~ A Golem In Brooklyn
  by Brian E. Erland (Brea, CA - USA)
The year is 1947, the place an Irish Catholic neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Michael (Peter Tambakis) finds himself caught in a freak snowstorm one August afternoon and steps into a nearby doorway to warm up. Once inside he encounters a bearded man named Judah (Stephen Rea), a lonely, disillusioned rabbi recently arrived from Czechoslovakia.

They become friends and before long Judah is sharing his Jewish faith with the young boy along with wonderous tales of kabbalistic folklore and mysticism. However Michael soon discovers that some people in the neighborhood don't approve of his new acquaintance, or others of the Jewish faith for that matter. For the first time in his short life Michael is exposed to anti-semitic behavior by a group of local teenagers. When the rabbi is badly beaten by one of the bullies Michael looks for a way to stop the violence.

He asks the rabbi if the stories he has been telling him are true, or at least one in particular. A medieval tale about a Golem, an artifical creation made of clay fashioned in human form. A creature of immense strength that according to legend could be brought to life through a prescribed set of Hebrew prayers and rituals. It would be a 'Warrior of God' that could stand against the neighborhood bullies. He asks Judah if it's possible. Responding with a hesitant maybe, Michael is off to attempt the unimaginable.

"Snow in August" was made on a small budget for television and it shows in the production values. However if you stay with it you'll discover that the story is really quite good and its message of tolerance and understanding is one we should never get tired of hearing.

5/5 Thoroughly enjoyable!
  by Judith A. Carlson (Chicago, IL United States)
This movie teaches a lot about how hateful prejudice and stereotypes can be (in this case, antisemitism). It is a movie about how a little boy learns that what he thought was so was completely wrong. It shows how a friendship can blossom between two people of diverse cultures who are also very far apart in age...and how they can learn from each other to the mutual benefit of not only both of them, but for an entire neighborhood. Furthermore, it is as close to the original book as I have ever seen. This is a thoroughly enjoyable movie (AND book!).

5/5 A great movie; a great lesson!
  by Sherry F. (Leonia, NJ USA)
I teach a high-functioning, multiply-handicapped inclusion class. We were working on the theme of bullying and I showed several movies with examples of this theme. "Snow in August" has wonderful examples of bullying and possible consequences. Both students and staff were captivated, fully involved -- booing the "bad guys" and cheering the "good guys." I highly recommend this movie for its characters, its story, its history, and, of course, its lessons.

4/5 Snow in August
  by Sandra Marmar (Woodstock VT, USA)
After reading the book this film is quite relevant. Of course in a movie things have to be compressed. It was an excellant movie for a low budget movie. If you lived in the 40's and 50's it took you right back. If you live today you are aware that things just don't change much. If you are poor there is no way the police can help or protect you. The only escape is through knowledge, fantasy, belief, and cunning.

See the movie then read the book!

3/5 Not bad for a low budget movie
  by Wendy Schroeder (Englewood, Co United States)
An 11 year old boy witness a older Jewish store owner getting beat up badly by a hoodlum. He refuses to snitch but the hoodlum thinks he may have (or will). The boy, Micheal, is an intelligent Irish Catholic who wants to do the right thing but isn't sure what it is. His loyalty to street rules clouds his judgment but he grows up that summer, partly due to his new friendship with a rabbi.

It's a low budget movie but it's a very good one. Great acting and a good script. I cried toward the end. It's the kind of movie you want your kids to watch and I think they would actually enjoy it.