The film was directed by legendary filmmaker Otto Preminger.

It’s based on the 1958 novel Exodus by Leon Uris. The novel was a massive bestseller before the movie was even announced.

The movie runs about 208 minutes, over three and a half hours long.

It was filmed in Israel and Cyprus, which was unusual for Hollywood epics at the time. Many scenes were shot on real historical locations rather than studio sets.

The ship used in the film was an actual vessel renamed for the production.

The film was one of the first major Hollywood movies to portray the founding of Israel sympathetically. It was released during a very politically sensitive time in the Middle East. The production faced protests and controversy in some countries.

The sweeping score was composed by Ernest Gold, who won an Academy Award for Best Original Score.

The lead role of Ari Ben Canaan was played by Paul Newman. Newman reportedly did not fully agree with the political tone of the script. The film helped solidify his status as a major Hollywood star.

The film had a major impact on American public opinion about Israel.

It was banned or restricted in several Arab countries for decades.