He Walked Through the Fields

He Walked Through the Fields (Hebrew: הוא הלך בשדות) is a 1967 Israeli drama directed by Yosef Millo. It was based on a popular novel and play of the same name by Moshe Shamir and filmed on Kibbutz Galil Yam. In popular culture, Uri's character is perceived as embodying the mythical sabra. Nurith Gertz and other scholars argue that at the beginning of the film, Uri displays individualistic traits, but in its second half, he undergoes a "national redemption" and transforms into the quintessential Zionist sabra. Liat Steir-Livny contends that, in fact, the film deconstructs the cinematic portrayal of the mythical sabra. While Israeli culture embraced the external features of the cinematic character and the general plotlines, Uri's cinematic portrayal does not depict a successful blend of a farmer and a brave fighter. Instead, it reveals his breakdown—a confused man with childish traits, broken and lost, failing in every path he pursues.