Masada

Synopsis

Masada is an American historical drama television miniseries that aired on ABC in April 1981. Advertised by the network as an 'ABC Novel for Television', the screenplay by Joel Oliansky is based on Ernest Gann's 1971 novel The Antagonists. The series is a dramatization of the historical siege of the Masada citadel in Roman Palestine by legions of the Roman Empire in AD 73. A siege that ended when the Roman armies entered the fortress, only to discover the mass suicide by the Jewish defenders when defeat became imminent.

First Air Date: 1981-04-05

Last Air Date: 1981-04-08

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 4

Created By: Joel Oliansky

Networks: ABC

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Peter O'Toole as General Cornelius Flavius Silva
Peter Strauss as Eleazar ben Yair
Barbara Carrera as Sheva
Alan Feinstein as Aaron
Giulia Pagano as Miriam
Anthony Quayle as Rubrius Gallus
Paul L. Smith as Gideon
David Warner as Senator Pomponius Falco
Clive Francis as Attius, Head Tribune
David Opatoshu as Shimon

Seasons

Miniseries (1981)

A dramatization of the historical siege of the Masada citadel in Roman Palestine by legions of the Roman Empire in AD 73. A siege that ended when the Roman armies entered the fortress, only to discover the mass suicide by the Jewish defenders when defeat became imminent.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Part I (1981-04-05)

Negotiations between Roman leader General Cornelius Flavius and Jewish rebel leader Elezar ben Yair leads to the inevitable standoff on Masada.
Ep. 2: Part II (1981-04-06)

The Jewish rebels, safe and watered atop their mountain stronghold of Masada, goad the sun-tortured Roman army below. Meanwhile, two angry Centurions plan a revolt against their haggard leader.
Ep. 3: Part III (1981-04-07)

Tables turn for the Romans, constructing the weapon to reach Masada and, now led by brutal Roman upstart Falco, who had usurped power from Flavias, the Jewish rebels' wits are tested.
Ep. 4: Part IV (1981-04-08)

The Romans utilize their formidable weapon to reach the top of Masada, and the final battle is underway.