Watch Countdown: Jerusalem

Countdown: Jerusalem is an action-packed thriller movie that takes place in the beautiful city of Jerusalem, during the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The movie is set in a world where Israel and Palestine are on the brink of war, and the only hope of peace lies in a high-tech peace initiative called "The Clock". The Clock is a sophisticated computer software that controls the security systems of all the religious sites in Jerusalem, including the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The software is supposed to ensure that no one can commit any acts of violence or terrorism in these sacred sites. If someone tries, The Clock will send an alarm, and the authorities will move in to prevent any harm.

But things start to go wrong when a group of militants hijacks the system by breaking into the central control room. They take the programmers, including the software developer, Joshua, hostage, and threaten to blow up the holy sites unless their demands are met. Their leader, a shadowy figure known only as "The Phantom" demands that Israel withdraws from the disputed territories and hands over control of the holy sites to the Palestinians.

Desperate to save Jerusalem from destruction, the Israeli government calls in their top negotiators, David and Leah, to try and reason with The Phantom. But as they negotiate, the militants become increasingly violent, and it soon becomes apparent that The Phantom has a personal vendetta against Joshua.

Against this ticking clock, the hostages, including Joshua's wife and daughter, face increasing threats to their lives. The Israeli security forces mobilize and attempt to gain access to the control room, but their efforts are repeatedly thwarted by the phantoms' sophisticated defenses. The situation is tense, and the clock is ticking.

Kim Little stars as Leah, the Israeli negotiator, who is tough and smart, but has to fight against prejudice in the system. Clint Browning plays David, her counterpart, and former lover, who is now married with children. Russell Reynolds plays Joshua, the brilliant software developer, who has to overcome his personal demons to save his family and his city. Mark Hengst is The Phantom, the mysterious mastermind behind the plot, whose motives and backstory unfold as the movie progresses.

Countdown: Jerusalem is a fast-paced, exciting thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last minute. The plot is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the action is intense and suspenseful. The movie addresses some of the complicated political and religious challenges that make Jerusalem one of the most contested cities on earth. It shows the human side of the conflict, allowing us to see the people behind the headlines and the suffering caused by decades of violence and polarization.

The film is shot on location in Jerusalem, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the ancient city. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the narrow alleys, the soaring buildings, and the breathtaking views of the Old City. The movie also features an original soundtrack by the Israeli band, Infected Mushroom, adding to the sense of urgency and tension.

Overall, Countdown: Jerusalem is an impressive debut film by the director, the late Menachem Golan. It combines a thrilling action movie with profound social commentary, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or a gripping thriller.

Countdown: Jerusalem is a 2009 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 2.5.