Before “Guns and Moses” even hit theaters, my inbox was flooded with emails from readers asking the same questions: “Have you heard about this movie?” and “Is it coming to St. Louis?” The buzz was real, and now, “Guns and Moses” streaming on mulitple platforms, brings the film straight to our living rooms.
The movie stars Mark Feuerstein as Rabbi Mo Zaltzman, a Hasidic rabbi turned reluctant gunfighter after his congregation is attacked. Also starring Neal McDonough, Christopher Lloyd and Dermot Mulroney, “Guns and Moses” blends the grit of a classic Western with the suspense of a modern action film and a surprisingly heartfelt message about faith, courage and community under threat.
A rabbi, a Glock and a moral dilemma
As the Forward’s Olivia Haynie noted in her review, Zaltzman’s transformation from pacifist spiritual leader to armed protector mirrors a real debate many Jewish communities face how to balance peace with protection. The film doesn’t shy away from that tension, instead letting audiences sit with it, using humor and heart to explore what Jewish strength looks like in uncertain times.
Jewish heroes take the lead
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Despite some pulpy dialogue and a few over-the-top moments, “Guns and Moses” stands out for flipping Hollywood’s usual portrayal of Jews as victims or comic side characters. Here, the rabbi is the hero, albeit a flawed hero. Director Salvador Litvak closes the movie with a message about resilience and self-defense, calling it a story “for the times we’re in.”
The film earned a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes during its limited release and now “Guns and Moses” streaming is available on Apple TV, Amazon and Google Play. Now more people in St. Louis can see what the buzz was about.
