document_title: Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai

question_text: once upon a time in mumbaai real story

question_tokens: once upon a time in mumbaai real story

text: Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai

text: Plot[edit]

text: The film opens with a suicide attempt by Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Agnel Wilson (Randeep Hooda) on the pretext of the Bombay Bombings in 1993. When questioned by his superior over his actions, he breaks down and claims that the recent tragic events are his own fault. Wilson recounts that 18 years ago, when he was posted as the ACP in the Mumbai crime branch, his inability to take the necessary action led to the rise of Shoaib Khan (Emraan Hashmi) a dreaded gangster, who played a central role in the bombings. Throughout the film, Wilson narrates the story of 1970s Bombay, when it was ruled by a kind hearted smuggler Sultan Mirza (Ajay Devgn), and how Mirza's eventual downfall led to Shoaib's rise to power.

text: After being hit by a flood in his hometown in Madras, a young Mirza arrives in Mumbai, where he lands a job as a coal shoveller. In spite of his meager earnings, the boy never fails to help the poor and needy, which soon gains their respect and admiration. Mirza is given the nickname of "Sultan."

text: As a grown man, Sultan Mirza becomes the kingpin of Mumbai's smuggling underworld. Through his influence, Mirza peacefully divides the city among four gangsters, thus thwarting police efforts to curb illegal activities. Despite being a criminal, Sultan Mirza is portrayed as a man of principle with a heart of gold and a godfather-like figure to the people. He even refrains from smuggling contraband, as it is against his Muslim faith.

text: Mirza has a crush on Bollywood actress Rehana (Kangana Ranaut) and eventually the two begin dating. Sultan invests black money in her upcoming films. ACP Wilson moves to stop Rehana's films funded by Sultan. Later, Sultan and Rehana frame Wilson to make it look as if Wilson is accepting a bribe, which damages his credibility.

text: Meanwhile, Shoaib is even in childhood a very ambitious person with a dark and daring character. He is frequently involved in petty theft. His father, Hussain Khan (Asif Basra), who is a sub-inspector with the Bombay Police, tries in vain to guide and control his son, his anger against Shoaib began years ago when Shoaib and his best friend Javed were stealing money and got caught red handed by a man, by teaching his son a lesson, Khan slaps him 5 times. Khan locks Shoaib in jail but Shoaib angers him as both Shoaib and Wilson make a deal saying that Shoaib wants to follow another path. Worried, the father turns to Sultan for help. Sultan agrees and helps the young man set up an electronics shop. But Shoaib is unsatisfied, as his only real ambition is to become rich and powerful, like Sultan Mirza who is his idol.

text: Shoaib's beautiful girlfriend, Mumtaz (Prachi Desai), works in a local jewellery shop, which Shoaib visits often, to the aggravation of the girl's boss. Shoaib gives her a beautiful necklace, which, unbeknownst to Mumtaz, Shoaib had stolen from a lady during a home robbery. Later, that lady comes to the shop with her husband to buy more jewellery. The lady soon recognises her own necklace being worn by Mumtaz; she then admits to the outraged customer that her boyfriend had given the item to her. The lady and her husband demand she take them to her boyfriend's shop, where they confront him. This enrages Shoaib, who beats up the husband and destroys his own shop.

text: Shoaib goes to Sultan and asks to be a part of his crime ring. Seeing his potential, Sultan agrees to take him under his wing. Shoaib learns the tricks of the trade and soon becomes Sultan's trusted aide. ACP Wilson hatches a plan to use Shoaib's reckless ambition for quick money and power as a way to cause the downfall of Sultan. Wilson even refrains from killing Sultan and Shoaib when he has the opportunity. Wilson's plan backfires, however. Finally, when Shoaib becomes invincible, Wilson blames himself for the subsequent catastrophe as he now cannot stop Shaoibs rise to power.

text: Sultan decides to hand over his power to Shoaib, and opts to enter state politics. He travels to Delhi to meet the Home Minister of India. Shoaib's unscrupulous ambitions lead him to carry out trades and acts which Sultan himself would strongly condemn and abhors. Shoaib starts manufacturing illicit liquor, accepts contract killings, invests in drug peddling and runs extortion rackets. When Sultan returns to Bombay, he learns of Shoaib's misdeeds and is outraged. He finds Shoaib at a party and slaps him in public for his unethical activities and states he can never really be like Sultan. This infuriates Shoaib and he plots revenge as he now knows that Sultan and he cannot possibly rule Mumbai together due to Mirza's strong principals and moral ethos. The next day, as Sultan campaigns for his new party, Shoaib appears and assassinates Sultan Mirza whilst he is addressing the people at the rally as a horrified Wilson looks on, thus ending the reign of the smuggler who was loved by his people.

text: In his narration, Wilson laments that he and the police are responsible for the bombings because of their lack of forethought, Wilson also says that Shoaib now rules Mumbai despite living abroad and the people are now forever at his mercy – as Mumbai's new underworld kingpin – he has since established a global smuggling empire. No government or force can reach him now.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Ajay Devgn as Sultan Mirza, character based on Haji Mastan
Emraan Hashmi as Shoaib Khan, character based on Dawood Ibrahim
Kangana Ranaut as Rehana Shergill
Prachi Desai as Mumtaz
Randeep Hooda as ACP Agnel Wilson
Gauhar Khan Special appearance in song "Parda"
Naved Aslam as Patrick, Sultan's henchman
Asif Basra as Inspector Hussain Khan (Shoaib's father), character based on Head-constable Ibrahim Kaskar
Sumit Kaul as Chhota Rajan
Avtar Gill as Jeet Kumar Rathi, Home Minister
Hemant Choudhary as Vijay, actor
Sushil Pandey as Iqbal
Ravi Khanvilkar as Vardhan
Mehul Bhojak as Javed
Imran Hashnee as Harish, gun supplier
Chandrakant Taneja as Pathan
Sanjeev Wilson as Chandru
Anjum Sharma as Khichdi
Allauddin Khan as Allauddin
Rajeev Yadav as Yakub Atha
Dheerendra Dwivedi as Gattu
Asif Hussain as Vishnu
Vikas Shrivastava as Verghese
Pankaj Sharma as Inspector Sohail
Dinkar Gawande as Home Minister's PA
Gyan Prakash as Commissioner Pant
Prithvi Zutshi as IG Aditya Mandke
Tarang Nehra as young Javed
Rakesh Biduwa as supervisor
Payal Nair as Shikha
Pradip Sagar as Raman
Namit Dahiya as young Shoaib Khan
Herbie F. Crasto as young Sultan Mirza
Sanjay Roy as film Magazine Editor
Sanjay Kulkarni as Inspector Murali
Dhanlaxmi as Jewellery Shop Lady
Prashant Barot as Jewellery Shop Manager
Resham Arora as film Director
Madhuri Bedekar as Shakuntala
Raaj Gopal Iyer as Singhania
Kamal Adeep as Daga Seth
Tareeq as Sultan's Driver
Anand Alkunte as Inspector Chavan
Krishna Choudhary as Inspector Sathe

text: Production[edit]

text: The film was made on a budget of ₹38 crore (₹ 28 crore for production and ₹ 10 crore for publicity and advertising).[2][10]

text: Inspiration for the film[edit]

text: The film depicts the growth of the Mumbai underworld, from crime and smuggling in its early stages to its connection with international terrorism in recent times. It is believed to be based on the lives of real-life gangsters Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, portrayed by the characters Sultan and Shoaib, respectively.[11][12] Originally Sanjay Dutt was chosen to play the role of Haji Mastan[13] but the role went to Ajay Devgn instead.

text: Reception[edit]

text: Critical reception[edit]

text: Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN rated the film 2.5 out of 5 saying, "The film is watchable and enjoyable in parts even, but it doesn't quite pull off the retro chic tone it was going for".[14] IANS rated the movie 3.5 out of 5 saying, "Rajat Arora’s dialogues flow from the storytelling in a smooth flow of poetry and street wisdom."[15] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave it 4/5 and called it "An outstanding Cinematic experience".[16] Nikhat Kazmi of the Times of India gave it 4/5 and stated, "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai offers you both substance and soul, even as it dabbles with a slice of reality".[17] Rediff gave it 4/5 and said, "Book your tickets now".[18]

text: Box office[edit]

text: India[edit]

text:
OUATIM worldwide Collections breakdown

Territory
Nett Collections (After Entertainment tax)

India
₹580.3 million (US$9.0 million)[3]

Distributor share:
₹296.4 million (US$4.6 million)[3]

Entertainment tax:
₹204.7 million (US$3.2 million)[3]

Overseas
(Outside India)
US$3 million(₹18.86 crore)

US$302,862 (United States)[19]

Worldwide
₹945.0 million (US$15 million)[3]

text: Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai managed to have a decent weekend despite starting slowly. The film picked up from Friday evening and managed to have good Saturday and Sunday collections. The approximate breakdowns are 5.50 crore (Friday), 7 crore (Saturday) and 7.75 crore (Sunday) for a 20.25 crore weekend.[20] The film grossed Rs.58.50 crore in India at the end of its ninth week.[3] Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai was declared a "super-hit" by Box Office India.[5]

text: Overseas[edit]

text: In its opening weekend the film showed a day-wise growth in U.K. [Friday £15,755, Saturday £19,381 and Sunday £19,644] and a decent start in U.S. [approx. $1,37,000 at 32 venues].[21] In its second weekend, the film collected £16,249 on 14 screens, with the per screen average working out to £1,161. Total: £1,07,988 at U.K boxoffice.[22] In its third weekend, the film collected £5,909 on 8 screens, with the per screen average working out to £739 (total: £1,22,257 in U.K.)[23] In its fourth weekend in U.K, the film collected £743 on four screens, with the per screen average working out to £186 (total: £1,26,696).[24] In its fifth weekend in the U.K, the film collected £105 on two screens, with the per screen average working out to £53 (total: £1,27,338). In its fifth weekend at the U.S. boxoffice, the film collected $1,131 on two screens, with the per screen average working out to $566 (total: $3,02,862).[19]

text: Awards and nominations[edit]

text: The film received many awards at several award functions. Ajay Devgn and Prachi Desai received accolades for their nominations, while other awards were won for the film's music, playback and technical direction.

text: Nominated

text:
Best Actor – Ajay Devgn
Best Supporting Actor – Emraan Hashmi
Best Supporting Actress – Prachi Desai
Best Music Director – Pritam
Best Male PlayBack Singer – Mohit Chauhan for the Song "Pee Loon"

text: Nominated

text:
BIG Star Most Entertaining Film Actor – Male – Ajay Devgn
BIG Star Most Entertaining Director – Milan Luthria
BIG Star Most Entertaining Film – Ekta Kapoor
BIG Star Most Entertaining Song – Pee Loon
BIG Star Most Entertaining Singer (Male) – Mohit Chauhan for Pee Loon
BIG Star Most Entertaining Singer (Female) – Tulsi Kumar for Tum Jo Aaye

text: Star Screen Award for Best Popular Music – Pritam

text:
Stardust Award for Best Thriller – Action Film – Ekta Kapoor
Stardust Award for Best Thriller – Action Actor – Ajay Devgn
Best Actress in an Ensemble Cast – Prachi Desai

text:
Stardust Award for Best Thriller – Action Director – Milan Luthria
Stardust Award for Best Thriller – Action Actress – Kangana Ranaut
Stardust Award for Dream Director – Milan Luthria
Stardust Award for Star of the Year – Male – Ajay Devgn
Best Actor in an Ensemble Cast – Emraan Hashmi

text: Won

text:
Lions Favorite Popular Actor(Male) – Ajay Devgn
Lions Favorite Actor in Supporting Role – Randeep Hooda
Lions Favorite Actress in Supporting Role – Prachi Desai

text:
Apsara Award for Best Screenplay – Rajat Arora
Apsara Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Prachi Desai

text:
Apsara Award for Best Film – Balaji Motion Pictures
Apsara Award for Best Actor – Ajay Devgn
Apsara Award for Best Director – Milan Luthria
Apsara Award for Best Dialogue – Rajat Arora
Apsara Award for Best Choreography – Raju Khan for "Parda Parda"
Apsara Award for Best Lyrics – Irshad Kamil for "Pee Loon"
Apsara Award for Best Music – Pritam
Apsara Award for Best Playback Singer (Male) – Mohit Chauhan for "Pee Loon"
Apsara Award for Best Playback Singer (Female) – Tulsi Kumar for "Tum Jo Aaye"
Apsara Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role – Emraan Hashmi
Apsara Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) – Emraan Hashmi

text:
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female – Prachi Desai
Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer - Male – Mohit Chauhan for "Pee Loon"
Zee Cine Award for Best Dialogue – Rajat Arora

text:
Best Actor – Male – Ajay Devgn
Best Film – Balaji Motion Pictures
Best Director – Milan Luthria
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Song of the Year – "Pee Loon"
Best Music Director – Pritam
Best Playback Singer – Female – Tulsi Kumar for "Tum Jo Aaye"
Best Lyricist – Irshad Kamil for "Pee Loon" and "Tum Jo Aaye"
Best Supporting Actor – Emraan Hashmi
Best Supporting Actress – Kangana Ranaut and Prachi Desai (won)
Best Story – Rajat Arora
Best Cinematography – Aseem Mishra
Best Editing – Akiv Ali

text:
Best Music Arranger & Programmer – Sandeep Shirodkar for the song "Pee Loon"
Best Lyricist – Irshad Kamil for the song "Pee Loon"
Best PlayBack Singer(Male) – Mohit Chauhan for the song "Pee Loon"
Best Song of The Year – "Pee Loon"
MTV Hot Pick of The Year – "Tum Jo Aaye"

text: Won

text: Best Supporting Actress – Prachi Desai

text: Soundtrack[edit]

text:
Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai

Soundtrack album by Pritam

Released
28 June 2010

Genre
Soundtrack

Label
T-Series

Pritam chronology

Khatta Meetha
(2010)Khatta Meetha2010
Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai
(2010)
Aashayein
(2010)Aashayein2010

text: The films songs were released on 28 June 2010. There were a total of 14 songs composed by Pritam with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil, Neelesh Misra and Amitabh Bhattacharya.

text: The film score was composed by Sandeep Shirodkar.

text: Track listing[edit]

text:
No.
Track
Singers
Duration

01
"Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein"
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Tulsi Kumar
4:48

02
"Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein" (Reprise)
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Tulsi Kumar
4:45

03
"Pee Loon" (Male) Part 1
Mohit Chauhan
2:36

04
"Pee Loon" (Male) Part 2
Mohit Chauhan
2:36

05
"Pee Loon" (Male) Part 3
Mohit Chauhan
2:36

06
"Pee Loon" (Remix) (Male) Part 1
Mohit Chauhan
2:37

07
"Pee Loon" (Remix) (Male) Part 2
Mohit Chauhan
2:37

08
"Pee Loon" (Remix) (Male) Part 3
Mohit Chauhan
2:37

09
"I Am in Love"
KK & Dominique Cerejo
4:47

10
"I Am in Love" (Dance Mix)
KK & Dominique Cerejo
4:42

11
"Parda"
Sunidhi Chauhan & Rana Mazumder
5:23

12
"Baburao Mast Hai"
Mika Singh
4:49

13
"Pee Loon" (Female)
Tulsi Kumar
2:36

14
"Pee Loon" (Remix) (Female)
Tulsi Kumar
2:37

text: The song "Parda" is a medley containing samples from the following 1970's Bollywood songs; "Duniya Mein Logon Ko" (Apna Desh), "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" (Caravan).

text: Sequel[edit]

text: Due to the film's commercial and critical success, a sequel was planned. Akshay Kumar and Imran Khan[34] were roped in as the male leads. The sequel, Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara!,[35] features Sonakshi Sinha playing the role of actress Mandakini, whilst Sonali Bendre was also roped in for a role.[36] The film started shooting in August 2012, whilst the film released on 15 August 2013, thus avoids clashing with Rohit Shetty directorial Chennai Express, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, which released one week before the release of OUATIMD. The film was a flop at the box office as it had very slow opening with very low occupancy while Chennai Express was breaking various box office records throughout its release.[34]


document_title: Israeli system of government

question_text: who elects the prime minister in israels parliamentary democracy

root

text: Israeli system of government

text: Presidency[edit]

text: The President of the State is the de jure head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical and ceremonial role, and is not considered a part of any Government Branch. The President's ceremonial roles include signing every law (except those pertaining to the President's powers) and international or bilateral treaty, ceremonially appointing the Prime Minister, confirming and endorsing the credentials of ambassadors, and receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats. The President also has several important functions in government. The President is the only government official with the power to pardon or commute prisoners. The President appoints the Governor of the Bank of Israel, the President of Magen David Adom, and the members and leaders of several institutions. The President also ceremonially appoints judges to their posts after their selection.[3]

tag: p

text: Executive branch[edit]

text: The Prime Minister is the most powerful political figure in the country. The Prime Minister is ceremonially appointed by the President upon recommendation of party Representatives in the Knesset, and makes foreign and domestic policy decisions which are voted on by the cabinet. The cabinet is composed of ministers, most of whom are the heads of government departments, though some are deputy ministers and ministers without portfolio. Cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister, who must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties. The cabinet's composition must also be approved by the Knesset. The Prime Minister may dismiss cabinet members, but any replacements must be approved by the Knesset. Most ministers are members of the Knesset, though only the Prime Minister is required to be one. The cabinet meets weekly on Sundays, and there may be additional meetings if circumstances require it. Each cabinet meeting is chaired by the Prime Minister.[4]

text: A select group of ministers led by the Prime Minister forms the security cabinet, responsible for outlining and implementing a foreign and defense policy. This forum is designed to coordinate diplomatic negotiations, and to make quick and effective decisions in times of crisis and war.

text: The Israeli government has 28 ministries,[5] each of them responsible for a sector of public administration. Many Ministries are located in the Kiryat Ben Gurion Government complex in the area of Givat Ram in Jerusalem. Each ministry is led by a minister, who is also a member of the cabinet and is usually a member of the Knesset. The Office of the Prime Minister coordinates the actions of the work of all government ministries, and serving and assisting the Prime Minister in his daily work.[6]

text: The State Comptroller, which supervises and reviews the policies and operations of the government, is elected by the Knesset in secret ballot.[7]

text: Legislative branch[edit]

text: Knesset[edit]

text: The Knesset is Israel's unicameral legislature and is seated in Jerusalem. Its 120 members are elected to 4-year terms through party-list proportional representation (see electoral system, below), as mandated by the 1958 Basic Law: The Knesset. Knesset seats are allocated among parties using the D'Hondt method of party list proportional representation. Parties select candidates using a closed list. Thus, voters select the party of their choice, rather than any specific candidate. Israel requires a party to meet an election threshold of 3.25% [8] to be allocated a Knesset seat. All Israeli citizens 18 years of age or older may participate in legislative elections, which are conducted by secret ballot.

text: As the legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset has the power to enact and repeal all laws. It enjoys de jure parliamentary supremacy, and can pass any law by a simple majority, even one that might arguably conflict with a Basic Law, unless it has specific conditions for its modification. The Knesset can adopt and amend Basic Laws acting through its capacity as a Constituent Assembly. The Knesset also supervises government activities through its committees, nominates the Prime Minister and approves the cabinet, and elects the President of the State and the State Comptroller. It also has the power to remove the President and State Comptroller from office, revoke the immunity of its members, and to dissolve itself and call new elections.

text: The February 2009 elections produced five prominent political parties; Kadima, Likud, Israel Beytenu, Labor and Shas, each with more than ten seats in the Knesset. Three of these parties were ruling parties in the past. However, only once has a single party held the 61 seats needed for a majority government (the Alignment from 1968 until the 1969 elections). Therefore, aside from that one exception, since 1948 Israeli governments have always comprised coalitions. As of 2009, there are 12 political parties represented in the Knesset, spanning both the political and religious spectra.

text: Electoral system[edit]

text: Israel's electoral system operates within the parameters of a Basic Law (The Knesset) and of the 1969 Knesset Elections Law.

text: The Knesset's 120 members are elected by secret ballot to 4-year terms, although the Knesset may decide to call for new elections before the end of the 4-year term, and a government can change without a general election; since the 1988 election, no Knesset has finished its 4-year term. In addition a motion of confidence may be called[by whom?]. Voting in general elections takes place using the highest averages method of party-list proportional representation, using the d'Hondt formula.

text: General elections use closed lists: voters vote only for party lists and cannot affect the order of candidates within the lists. Since the 1992 Parties Law, only registered parties may stand. There are no separate electoral districts; all voters vote on the same party lists. Suffrage is universal among Israeli citizens aged 18 years or older, but voting is optional. Polling locations are open throughout Israel; absentee ballots are limited to diplomatic staff and the merchant marine. While each party attains one seat for 1 in 120 votes, there is a minimum threshold (recently increased to 3.25%[9]) for parties to attain their first seat in an election. This requirement aimed to bar smaller parties from parliament but spurred some parties to join together simply to overcome the threshold. The low vote-threshold for entry into parliament, as well as the need for parties with small numbers of seats to form coalition governments, results in a highly fragmented political spectrum, with small parties exercising extensive power (relative to their electoral support) within coalitions.[10]

text: The president selects the prime minister as the party leader most able to form a government, based on the number of parliament seats his or her coalition has won. After the president's selection, the prime minister has forty-five days to form a government. The Knesset collectively must approve the members of the cabinet. This electoral system, inherited from the Yishuv (Jewish settlement organization during the British Mandate), makes it very difficult for any party to gain a working majority in the Knesset and thus governments generally form on the basis of coalitions. Due to the difficulties in holding coalitions together, elections often occur earlier than scheduled. The average life-span of an Israeli government is about two years. Over the years, the peace process, the role of religion in the state, and political scandals have caused coalitions to break apart or have produced early elections.[10]

text: Judicial system[edit]

text: The Judicial branch is an independent branch of the government, including secular and religious courts for the various religions present in Israel. The court system involves three stages of justice.

text: Judges for all courts are appointed by the Judicial Selection Committee. The committee is composed of nine members: two cabinet members (one being the Minister of Justice), two Knesset members, two members of the Israel Bar Association, and three Supreme Court justices (one being the President of the Supreme Court). The committee is chaired by the Minister of Justice.

text: In November 1985, the Israeli government informed the United Nations Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction.[11]

text: Judicial courts[edit]

text: Israeli judicial courts consist of a three-tier system:

text:
Magistrate Courts serve as the court of first instance
District Courts serve as the appellate courts and the court of first instance for some cases;
The Supreme Court acts as both a court of first instance in matters concerning the legality of decisions of state authorities, and as a supreme appellate court.

tag: ul

text: Religious courts[edit]

text: Some issues of family law (marriage and divorce in particular) fall either under the jurisdiction of religious courts or under parallel jurisdiction of those and the state's family courts. The state maintains and finances Rabbinical, Sharia and various Canonical courts for the needs of the various religious communities. All judges are civil servants, and required to uphold general law in their tribunals as well. The Supreme Court serves as final appellate instance for all religious courts.

text: Jewish religious courts are under control of the Prime Minister's Office and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. These courts have jurisdiction in only five areas: Kashrut, Sabbath, Jewish burial, marital issues (especially divorce), and Jewish status of immigrants. However, except for determining a person's marital status, all other marital issues may also be taken to secular Family Courts.

text: The other major religious communities in Israel, such as Muslims and Christians, have their own religious courts. These courts have similar jurisdiction over their followers as Jewish religious courts, although Muslim religious courts have more control over family affairs.

text: Labor courts[edit]

text: There are five regional labor courts in Israel as a tribunal of first instance, and a National Labor Court in Jerusalem to hear appeals and few cases of national importance. The labor courts have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving employer-employee relationship, employment, strikes and labor union disputes, labor-related complaints against the National Insurance Institute, and Health Insurance claims.

text: Military courts[edit]

text: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintains a series of district military courts and special military tribunals. The Military Court of Appeals is the IDF's supreme appellate court. It considers and judges over appeals submitted by the Military Advocate General, which challenges decisions rendered by the lower courts.

text: Court of Admiralty[edit]

text: In all matters having to do with admiralty, commercial shipping, accidents at sea, and other maritime matters, the Haifa District Court, sitting as the Court of Admiralty, has exclusive statewide jurisdiction.

text: Membership in International organizations[edit]

text: BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OECD, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNFM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WTO.

text: Local government[edit]

text: For governmental purposes, Israel is divided into six districts: Central District; Haifa District; Jerusalem District; Northern District; Southern District; and Tel Aviv District. The districts further subdivide into fifteen sub-districts and into fifty natural regions. Administration of the districts is coordinated by the Ministry of Interior.

text: There are three forms of local government in Israel: city councils, local councils, and regional councils. City councils govern municipalities classified as cities, local councils govern small municipalities, and regional councils govern groups of communities. These bodies look after public services such as urban planning, zoning, the provision of water, emergency services, and education and culture, as per guidelines of the Ministry of Interior. Local governments consist of a governing council chaired by a mayor. The mayor and all council members are chosen in municipal elections.

text: The Ministry of Defense has responsibility for the administration of the occupied territories.


document_title: Shaq–Kobe feud

question_text: who went to the lakers first shaq or kobe

text: Shaq–Kobe feud

text: Origins: 1996–1999[edit]

text: In 1996, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the draft rights to high school player Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets by trading established center Vlade Divac.[2] No NBA team had previously drafted a guard straight from high school.[3] After freeing up salary by parting with other veteran players, they signed free agent All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal later that year. The two sparred in their first three seasons playing together from 1996–1999.[4] Bryant kept his teammates at a distance, answering non-basketball questions with one- or two-word responses. O'Neal told the Lakers when Bryant arrived, "I'm not gonna be babysitting."[5] Bryant had extreme confidence in his ability, which was unusual for an 18-year-old. Some teammates interpreted Bryant's confidence as arrogance.[6] O'Neal was wary of Bryant, as a rookie, boasting that he would lead the Lakers in scoring and be the best player in the league.[7] Lakers general manager Jerry West criticized O'Neal's leadership for hazing Bryant that season.[8] While O'Neal's personality was good-humored, Bryant's demeanor was all-business and was interpreted by some teammates as selfishness.[9] O'Neal began calling Bryant showboat because of his flashy offensive moves.[10] In an overtime playoff loss to the Utah Jazz that eliminated the Lakers, O'Neal fouled out with two minutes remaining in regulation. Lakers coach Del Harris had designed the Laker offense around the rookie Bryant, who went on to shoot four air balls. Harris explained that Bryant's one-on-one skills made him the best choice.[11] After the game, O'Neal put his arm around Bryant and told him there would be other opportunities.[12] West said the team's shortcoming made O'Neal angry since he was going to be judged by the team's success.[13]

text: Bryant was assigned by the Lakers to play in the 1997 NBA Summer League to improve as a team player and learn where to send the ball when he drew double teams.[14] The following season, Bryant was voted as a starter in the 1998 All-Star Game though he was a reserve on the Lakers. The Lakers struggled after the All-Star break, losing seven of their first 12 games, and Bryant had a stretch where he made only 30 of 100 shots. O'Neal wanted a championship immediately, and he did not want to wait for Bryant to mature as a player. Harris thought the NBA and its television broadcaster, National Broadcasting Company (NBC), were overexposing Bryant and that he became more of a one-on-one player after the break.[15] Bryant's playing time became reduced. The Lakers were eliminated in the 1998 playoffs in the conference finals after they were swept by the Jazz, 4–0.[16]

text: The team's lockout-shortened 50-game 1998–99 season included a brief stint as a player by Dennis Rodman, the firing of head coach Harris, and the interim head coaching stint of former Laker player Kurt Rambis.[3] During the lockout, O'Neal, Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Corie Blount played a two-on-two basketball game. Bryant was always a physical player during practice. Other players, though, disliked Bryant's approach to practice. Fisher said, "That was really the way we all should have been playing. With Kobe's spirit." During the game, O'Neal slapped Bryant. Fisher said neither O'Neal nor Bryant really started it, as they were both being physical.[17] During the season, the team would blame their problems on what they felt was Bryant's selfish play. At one point, O'Neal pointed at Bryant and told reporters in the locker room, "There's the problem."[18] Bryant's jerseys were outselling O'Neal's in Southern California sporting goods stores, and rumors started that O'Neal was jealous, as he was with Penny Hardaway when they played together in Orlando. "That's far from the truth", said Fisher. "All Shaq wants to do is win."[19] Asked if he helped Bryant through his growing pains, O'Neal said "I try not to help guys out too much. Experience is the best teacher ... Kobe's a great player ... He's a new, up-and-coming kid."[19] O'Neal thought Rambis favored Bryant.[20] Rambis asked O'Neal, the veteran team leader, to heal the rift and reach out to Bryant. Rambis said O'Neal gave him a "blank, cold stare."[21] The rift between O'Neal and Bryant continued into the playoffs. While the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round of that year's NBA Playoffs, they were ultimately swept 4–0 by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.[22]

text: Three-peat: 1999–2002[edit]

text: During the 1999 offseason, West and Lakers owner Jerry Buss agreed to sign the then six-time NBA champion Phil Jackson to a high-priced, 5-year $30 million contract to be the team's new head coach entering the 1999–2000 season.[22][23][24] Buss was previously a believer in spending conservatively on coaches,[24] but O'Neal and Bryant had both encouraged West to hire Jackson.[25] Jackson decided that the offense would revolve around O'Neal, who would be given responsibility to distribute the ball.[26] Jackson also wanted better leadership, physical conditioning, and defense from O'Neal.[27] The coach chose to develop a close relationship with O'Neal and not Bryant. Jackson calculated that O'Neal's personality craved such a relationship.[28] Bryant missed the season's first 15 games due to a broken right wrist, allowing the team to focus on O'Neal as Jackson had planned.[29] The results of Jackson's hiring were promising, as the Lakers amassed a 67–15 record (one of the best records in league history). O'Neal led the league in scoring, averaging 29.7 points per game, and he won his first NBA Most Valuable Player Award.[26] During the playoffs, the Lakers fought off the eighth-seeded Sacramento Kings in five games, and then defeated the Phoenix Suns in the second round, four games to one.

text: It was in the 2000 Western Conference Finals that a defining moment of O'Neal's and Bryant's on-court success together occurred. The Lakers had led the Portland Trail Blazers three games to one, before dropping Game 5 at home and Game 6 in Portland. The Blazers were leading the decisive Game 7, putting the Lakers on the brink of elimination. Portland led by 15 points early in the fourth quarter, before the Lakers mounted a 25–4 rally to take the lead. The comeback run culminated as Bryant drove the lane and threw an alley-oop pass to O'Neal for a one-handed slam dunk after which O'Neal ran upcourt with his mouth agape and both index fingers waving.[30] Bryant extended his hand to O'Neal for a high five, but O'Neal in his celebration did not notice.[31] The Lakers won the game 89–84, and the 13 point comeback after three quarters was the most ever in a Game 7 in the NBA playoffs. O'Neal had 18 points and 9 rebounds, and Bryant had 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocked shots.[32] The two players complimented each other on the alley-oop play after the game, and assistant coach Tex Winter thought they came to respect each other.[33] The Lakers went on to defeat the Indiana Pacers in six games and won their first NBA championship since 1988.[3] The Lakers led the series 2–0 behind O'Neal's dominating presence. The Lakers lost Game 3, which Bryant missed with an ankle injury. After O'Neal fouled out in overtime of Game 4, Jackson spread the floor and had Bryant take over the offense and lead the team to victory. Leading 110–109 with 1:32 remaining in Game 6, Jackson again spread the offense—even with O'Neal on the floor—and again allowed Bryant to take over; the Lakers won the game, 116–111, and won the championship.[34] In the ensuing celebration, Bryant was the first person to embrace O'Neal.[35]

text: The season was not without confrontation, as O'Neal in one team meeting said, "I have something to say. I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win."[36] O'Neal felt pressure to be leader of the team and was upset with Bryant's shot selection. Teammate Ron Harper helped mediate the differences between O'Neal and Bryant.[37] According to Jackson, "Kobe didn't have a selfish agenda; he just felt that the way he had been playing was the best way he could contribute. Gradually, he's seen there is a different way to contribute that incorporates more of the team."[38] Upon arriving to the Lakers that season, Winter said he was stunned to discover the level of hatred O'Neal expressed toward Bryant. "There was a lot of hatred in [O'Neal's] heart ... Kobe just took it and kept going." O'Neal regularly expressed to management that he did not believe the team could win a championship with Bryant. Winter observed that O'Neal influenced the entire team against Bryant.[39] Winter thought that Bryant made it a point to get the ball to O'Neal that year, but O'Neal did not appreciate what Bryant was doing to help him.[27] During that season's All-Star Game, Bryant did not participate in the Slam Dunk Contest and a matchup against Vince Carter, following Jackson's request to pass on individual accomplishments to keep the focus on the team. During All-Star warm-ups, O'Neal mimicked Bryant's crossover dribble but threw the ball into the stands to accentuate Bryant's turnovers.[40] O'Neal said it was an inside joke between Kobe and him.[41] Jackson and Winter relied on the triangle offense to heal the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant. The coaches believed that the offense was so structured that the relationship between the two players would be smoother on the court. The coaches would also tell the team they did not see the selfishness in Bryant that the players saw. Winter even put together a video for O'Neal to show that Bryant was playing his role correctly.[42]

text: In 2001, the Lakers won the title again; however, O'Neal and Bryant began feuding during the season. O'Neal came into training camp out of shape, which disappointed Jackson and also Bryant, who worked hard over the offseason to improve his game. Bryant was leading the league in scoring as 2001 began, and Jackson said Bryant was playing the best ball of his career. O'Neal was shooting below 50 percent during stretches, and his free throw shooting was in the 20 percent range.[43] O'Neal said of the Lakers in January, "When it was clear that everything went through me, the outcome of it was (a record of) 67–15, playing with enthusiasm, the city jumping up and down and a parade. And now we're 23–11. You figure it out ... I don't know why anybody else would want to change – other than selfish reasons."[44] Bryant responded that it was a different year and the roster had undergone some changes and "things change, things evolve, and you just have to grow with that change."[44] Lakers assistant coach Bill Bertka said a key factor was the team's defense after losing Fisher for most of the season.[45] O'Neal requested a trade after a blowout win against the Phoenix Suns where Bryant scored 38 and O'Neal scored 18.[44] Jackson commented that their actions were "juvenile" and they should appreciate each other and play as a team.[44] Bryant would be criticized for forcing his offense and not involving his teammates enough.[46] Even O'Neal's stepfather was overheard yelling at Bryant to pass the ball during a game.[47] Bryant told Jackson that the "(triangle) offense is so simple. It doesn't display my talent ... it doesn't give me what I have to have for my game."[47] According to Bryant, the team's defense was the issue and not his increased role in the offense.[48] Bryant said that "scoring shouldn't affect (O'Neal's) defense", while O'Neal maintained that "if the big dog ain't me, then the house won't get guarded – period."[48] Due to O'Neal's sensitivity toward criticism, Jackson overlooked O'Neal's shortcomings while maintaining his criticism of Bryant.[49] West told O'Neal that he also had personal rivalries when he played with all-time greats Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor, but O'Neal needed to "stop being a baby ... put the team's success first."[50]

text: Magic Johnson later noticed a change in O'Neal: "Shaq is saying 'It's me. I'm the one who has to get into shape, I'm the one who has to be ready for the second half run. I'm the one who has to close the middle down like I did last year.' ... He's not blaming everybody else."[51] Fisher returned on March 13, upgrading the team's defense. The Lakers won their last eight games to finish the regular season with 56 wins. O'Neal averaged 33.7 points over the final 11 games. Bryant, upon returning from an injury, was willing to build off of O'Neal now that the center was in shape and playing defense.[52] Bryant would play unselfishly in the playoffs.[46] O'Neal referred to Bryant as "[his] idol" and "the best player in the league, by far" following a victory in Game 1 of that year's Western Conference Finals.[53] The Lakers won the championship after a record-setting 15 wins and only one loss. After the lone loss, which was in the opening game of the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, Jackson criticized O'Neal for his lack of defense.[54] Before the following game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson growled at O'Neal, "Don't be afraid to block a shot!" after O'Neal failed to block a shot in Game 1. O'Neal finished Game 2 with 28 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists and 8 blocks.[55]

text: O'Neal missed training camp due to surgery on an arthritic toe. He opted against a more involved surgery to return back quicker.[56] Still, his toe bothered him throughout the season.[57] Jackson also missed most of camp due to the death of his 94-year-old mother, and Bryant returned to Philadelphia to bury his grandfather. Combined with the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, O'Neal said it would be hard for basketball players to be divided by pettiness.[58]

text: The Lakers won their third consecutive championship, defeating the New Jersey Nets, 4–0. It was the Lakers' first championship sweep in their history, and O'Neal won his third consecutive NBA Finals MVP.[59] Bryant and O'Neal were complimentary of each other afterwards.[60]

text: Final years as teammates: 2002–2004[edit]

text: The 2002–03 season began with the three-time defending champions getting off to one of their worst starts ever. The team was several games under .500 at 11–19 with their return to the playoffs questionable. O'Neal was sidelined with hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis in his toe.[61] O'Neal could have had surgery on his toe early in the summer (which would have allowed him to return to playing sooner), but he decided to wait and have the surgery performed not long before the Lakers' pre-season training camp began. He said, "I got hurt on company time, so I’ll rehab on company time."[62] O'Neal debated whether to have a more invasive surgery that would have kept him out an additional three months, but he opted against the more involved procedure.[61] During the season, Bryant had a nine-game streak where he scored at least 40 points and a 13-game streak where he scored 35 or better. Still, the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant remained peaceful. Jackson had ordered Bryant to be more aggressive.[63] The Lakers ended that season with the 5th seed in the Western Conference, failing to get home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, but were eliminated by eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the conference semifinals.

text: The subsequent off-season included accusations and then charges of rape by Bryant in Colorado.[64] On July 16, a little more than two weeks after the initial assault allegations, the Lakers announced the signings of veteran free agents and former All-Stars Karl Malone and Gary Payton, who were recruited by O'Neal.[65][66] After the signings, the Lakers were widely considered the favorite to win the NBA title.[67][68] However, even with these additions, the Lakers would not be able to avoid controversy.

text: O'Neal said his and Bryant's past barbs in the press was "almost like a game." They could handle it—until the 2003–04 season.[69] Just prior to the season, Bryant privately warned Jackson, "If [O'Neal] starts saying [unreasonable] things in the press, I'll fire back ... I've had it."[70] There had been no public indications of animosity between the two since the 2000–2001 season.[71] With Bryant absent from camp due to his legal situation and his recovery from knee surgery, O'Neal said "the full team is here." Later, after sitting out an exhibition game to rest a sore left heel, O'Neal said, "I want to be right [in the regular season] for Derek [Fisher], Karl and Gary." Bryant was again ignored by O'Neal.[72]

text: When Bryant joined the Lakers in camp, O'Neal told reporters Bryant should look to be more of a passer than a scorer until Bryant's knee was fully healed. Bryant responded that he knew how to play the guard position, and O'Neal should worry about the low post.[73] O'Neal responded, "Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person. Not two. One. Period."[73] O'Neal agreed that Bryant could handle playing guard, but Bryant needed advice on how to play team ball. O'Neal added that he would voice his opinions as he saw fit because the Lakers were his team. He said that if Bryant, who would be a free agent at the season's end, didn't like what O'Neal had to say, Bryant should just opt out since O'Neal said "I ain't going nowhere."[73] Jackson told the team to not discuss the issue further with reporters.[74]

text: In a subsequent interview with Jim Gray of ESPN, Bryant questioned O'Neal's claims of team leadership. Bryant claimed that O'Neal came into training camp "fat and out of shape", that O'Neal blamed others for the team's defeats, and that O'Neal previously exaggerated the degree to which injuries had affected his game as a cover for simply being out of condition. Bryant criticized O'Neal's public lobbying for a contract extension when "we have two future Hall of Famers (Malone and Payton) playing here pretty much for free". He also criticized O'Neal for only taking responsibility when the team won. He accused O'Neal of threatening not to put forth his best effort if he was not passed the ball more often. Bryant was also upset that O'Neal did not personally contact him amidst his legal troubles in the summer.[75] O'Neal had his bodyguard, Jerome Crawford, call Bryant.[76] "Everyone knows Jerome is me", said O'Neal.[77]

text: The following day, Lakers scout and former teammate Brian Shaw mediated between a furious O'Neal and Bryant. Shaw reprimanded O'Neal for yelling "Pay me" at Buss after dunking during a preseason game.[78] Shaw turned to Bryant and told him that Jackson allowed O'Neal time to recover from the physical pounding he endured every season. Bryant, still disappointed at the support he received over the summer, told O'Neal, "You're supposed to be my friend."[79] Shaw questioned why he would believe that when Bryant did not join the team for dinners on the road, failed to attend O'Neal's wedding though invited, and did not invite a single teammate to his own wedding.[80]

text: Jackson fined Bryant an undisclosed amount for defying his orders to not talk to the press.[74] O'Neal would reveal after the season that he promised Malone and Payton he would cease feuding with Bryant in light of his legal situation with the rape charge.[81] On opening night of the season, an injured Bryant sat down next to O'Neal during the Lakers' victory over the Dallas Mavericks. "We put it behind us", Bryant said. "Shaq and I are going to move on, be teammates and help this team to a fourth title."[82]

text: The Lakers started the season with a 21–3 record, and they received accolades as the greatest NBA team ever. However, the Lakers lost Malone for three months to a knee injury during the winter.[66][83] During the All-Star break, Buss suspended contract negotiations with Jackson, who was seeking to double his salary from $6 million to $12 million on his expiring contract. Jackson had a contract offer outstanding from the Lakers, but he had not acted on it. The Lakers also suspended talks with O'Neal, who wanted an extension with a pay raise on his remaining three years for $30 million. The Lakers had hoped O'Neal would take less money due to his age, physical conditioning, and games missed due to injuries. The Los Angeles Times wrote that both of the Lakers moves were a concession to Bryant.[84] The Lakers slid towards mediocrity during the spring. Injuries hampered Los Angeles, keeping them as the fourth seed in the Western Conference midway through the season. The team never came together defensively. Winter said, "Even though Shaq was a big presence, he was not a great shot blocker. And he didn't like to play the screen and roll, so he put his teammates in jeopardy. He didn't like to help [on defense]."[85] In March, after Bryant received internal criticism about his shot selection, he scored just one point while taking three shots in the first half against Orlando which the Lakers trailed by 11. He scored 37 in the second half and tied a team record with 24 in the fourth quarter as the Lakers won in overtime. Against Sacramento in April, Bryant took just one shot in the first half against tight defense. He finished the game with eight points. An anonymous teammate told the Los Angeles Times, "I don't know how we can forgive him." Afterward, Jackson urged Bryant to be more aggressive offensively.[86]

text: The Lakers ultimately entered the playoffs as the second seed, thanks to an overtime victory versus the Portland Trail Blazers on the final night of the season, courtesy of a pair of buzzer beaters from Bryant.[87] They defeated the Houston Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves before advancing to the 2004 NBA Finals, where they were considered a favorite to defeat the Detroit Pistons.[88][89] However, after five games, the Lakers found themselves not only defeated but dominated by the Pistons, who won the NBA title.[90] Winter said, "Shaq defeated himself against Detroit. He played way too passively. He had one big game ... He's always interested in being a scorer, but he hasn't had nearly enough concentration on defense and rebounding."[91]

text: After the loss, the division between O'Neal and Bryant came to a head. At the news conference after the final game, O'Neal addressed the uncertainty around Coach Phil Jackson's now-expired contract, and Bryant's impending free agency, which meant either or both might not return to the Lakers the next season. With regard to the issue of people possibly leaving the team, O'Neal commented that he understood that everyone would need to do what was best for themselves, then adding "including me".[92]

text: Eventually Jackson, a favorite of O'Neal, was not offered a new contract by the Lakers. Many sports analysts and spectators assumed that this was because of Bryant, who had at times voiced displeasure with Jackson's offensive scheme.[93] However, Winter said Jackson announced at the All-Star break that he would not want to return to the Lakers if Bryant returned.[94] Buss also longed for the Lakers to return to the fast break offense of Showtime.[95] After learning of Jackson's departure and hearing Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak say he would consider trading him, O'Neal demanded to be traded.[96] He made it clear that he felt the Laker organization was making moves designed primarily to placate Bryant, saying "The direction they’re going ... I don’t want to be a part of this."[97][98] Bryant, meanwhile, was involved in discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers. O'Neal's demand was soon indulged, as he was sent to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick.[99] NBA coach and former player Doc Rivers called the relationship between O'Neal and Bryant the "biggest travesty in sports" because they should have remained teammates and won at least five championships together.[100]

text: O'Neal traded from Lakers: 2004–2006[edit]

text: A day after O'Neal was traded, Bryant re-signed with the Lakers for seven years and $136 million. Bryant said he enjoyed playing with both Jackson and O'Neal, and he said he did not influence the Lakers' decisions regarding the two. Regardless, newspapers the next day criticized Bryant for his alleged manipulation of the team.[101][102] O'Neal added, "When it came to my leaving, [Kobe] could have spoken up. He could have said something. He didn't say anything." Winter said, "[O'Neal] left because he couldn't get what he wanted—a huge pay raise. There was no way ownership could give him what he wanted. Shaq's demands held the franchise hostage, and the way he went about it didn't please the owner too much."[103]

text: Later, news came out that Bryant had referred to O'Neal while being questioned by police in 2003. According to reports, Bryant stated that he should have paid off his women so that they wouldn't say anything, like O'Neal. Bryant also stated that O'Neal would pay women up to US$1 million to stay quiet about their rendezvous. It also was reported that investigators had told O'Neal of Bryant's supposed statements shortly after the investigation had begun. O'Neal denied these claims, stating that Bryant had no idea about O'Neal's personal business since the two of them rarely spent any time together. O'Neal went as far as to say that he "[wasn't] the one buying love, [Bryant was] the one buying love", a reference to Bryant's purchase of a multi-million dollar diamond ring for his wife in the aftermath of the revelation that Bryant had been unfaithful to her.[104]

text: In August 2004, the NBA scheduled the Lakers and the Heat to play on Christmas Day. The game registered the NBA's highest regular season television ratings since 1998 and would hold its spot until a 2008 Christmas Day meeting between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics. In the lead-up to the game, O'Neal referred to Bryant as a "Corvette" and himself as a "brick wall" in an interview with ABC's Al Michaels during halftime of Monday Night Football.[105]

text: Before the opening tip, Bryant and O'Neal did not talk, but did greet each other by bumping forearms. During the game, Bryant was fouled by O'Neal several times but the contacts were not excessive. O'Neal fouled out late in the fourth quarter but the Heat still won the game in overtime, led by up-and-coming star, Dwyane Wade. Bryant missed a potentially game-winning shot as time expired. When asked about the brick wall comment, Bryant said, "I knew there was a lot of talk about the brick wall and all that. But I think that was kind of just to hype the game. Hopefully, this is all behind us now." O'Neal shared a similar tone, saying "I'm over it. It's old news to me."[106] Bryant and O'Neal met on the court twice more during the season, once during the NBA All-Star Game and once more when the Lakers played the Heat on March 17, 2005.

text: In the following season, Bryant and O'Neal did not engage in further public attacks. However, hard feelings were apparently still present when they refused to refer to each other by name while talking to the media. The Lakers and the Heat faced off again on Christmas Day in 2005, with the Heat winning the second time. Unlike last year, Bryant and O'Neal did not shake hands nor make eye contact with each other before and after the game. O'Neal said, "It was just another game to me."[107] Bryant said "I wasn't even thinking about it. It is what it is."[108]

text: O'Neal indirectly referenced the feud in his cameo appearance in the 2006 movie Scary Movie 4. O'Neal is kidnapped in the movie in a Saw parody, and he hears a frightening voice. A terrified O'Neal then asks, "Kobe?"[109][110]

text: Additional championships and de-escalation of the feud: 2006–2011[edit]

text: From 2004–2006, the Heat and the Lakers met on Christmas Day to emphasize the Shaq-Kobe battle. This tradition ended in 2007, as the Lakers faced the Suns, and the Heat took on the Cavaliers. However, on February 20, 2008, O'Neal was traded from the Heat to the Suns.

text: Prior to their January 16, 2006 meeting, O'Neal greeted Bryant on the court warmly, a departure from his previous attitude toward Bryant. The two shook hands and hugged before tip-off.[111][112] After Bryant scored 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors, O'Neal refused to comment to the media about it.[113] O'Neal broke his silence a few weeks later during a media session at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, when he acknowledged that he had watched Bryant's 81-point game and offered praise for the performance.[114] During the All-Star Game itself, the two were seen laughing and joking together.[115] O'Neal and the Heat won the NBA title that season. In his 2011 autobiography, Shaq Uncut: My Story, O'Neal wrote of the championship, "I had proven I could win anywhere—not just with some shot-happy guard in Los Angeles."[116]

text: In 2007, O'Neal said that Bryant should have won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, which was awarded to Dirk Nowitzki.[117] During the offseason, Bryant was "beyond furious" at reports from a Laker insider that Bryant had insisted O'Neal be traded from the Lakers.[118] Bryant reported that Buss said, "I am not going to re-sign Shaq. I am not about to pay him $30 million a year or $80 million over three years ... His body is breaking down, and I don't want to pay that money to him when I can get value for him right now rather than wait ... It doesn't matter to me what you do in free agency because I do not want to pay [Shaq], period."[118] O'Neal agreed with Bryant: "There's no doubt in my mind Kobe is telling the truth. I believe him a thousand percent ... I would have respected Dr. Buss more as a man if he would have told me that himself, because I know he said it."[118]

text: In 2008, O'Neal reiterated his belief that Bryant deserved the MVP award.[119] Bryant went on to win the award for the first time in his career that season. During the offseason, O'Neal was at a party, and got up to rap in front of the crowd. O'Neal mentioned Bryant multiple times in the rap, saying that "Kobe couldn't do it without me", referring to Bryant and the Lakers loss in the 2008 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics. He also rapped, "Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes".[120] During the rap, O'Neal also blamed his divorce on Bryant's comments to investigators in 2004 about O'Neal paying off women.[121] Bryant commented that he "didn't take (O'Neal's rap) any kind of way whatsoever."[122] O'Neal later said he was freestyling and that "it was all done in fun. Nothing serious whatsoever ... I'm totally cool with Kobe. No issue at all."[123] Rap artist Snoop Dogg, a Laker fan, agreed that "Shaq has all access and the right to do and say what he wants to say in fun, in the spirit of rap."[124]

text: In November of the 2008–2009 season, O'Neal told reporters that he believed the entire feud has been the fault of the Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. O'Neal later retracted the statement and apologized, interrupting one of Jackson's pre-game interviews to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.[125] On January 29, 2009, in an interview with Stephen A. Smith, O'Neal claimed that the feud between him and Bryant was simply a marketing ploy, saying "We helped you hype it up. I know what I'm doing, brother. I'm the smartest player in the world." On Bryant, O'Neal claimed that he "always did love Kobe." On Jackson, O'Neal claimed he is "the greatest coach ever. And he's done a lot for me. Phil's my guy. It's all marketing, baby." O'Neal also added that had he stayed with the Lakers, he and Bryant would have won another three or four titles. "We're still the greatest little-man, big-man 1-2 punch ever created in the history of the game", O'Neal said.[126] At the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, O'Neal, Bryant, and Jackson were all reunited on the West squad. O'Neal and Bryant were both named co-MVPs for the game and were shown laughing and hugging during the game.[127] O'Neal told Bryant to keep the MVP trophy, but Bryant instead gave it to O'Neal's son.[128] For O'Neal, Bryant's gesture marked a turning point in their relationship.[129] Bryant and the Lakers would go to face the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. Shaq showed support for Kobe, on his Twitter page saying: "thats right i am saying it today and today only, i want kobe bryant to get number 4, spread da word  [sic]".[130]

text: After the Lakers once again won the title in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals, Bryant was asked what it meant to him personally. He responded, "Just one more than Shaq ... I can take that to the bank." Bryant had won five NBA titles, and O'Neal had won four. Bryant added, "You guys know how I am. I don't forget anything."[131] O'Neal again congratulated Bryant on his Twitter page: "Congratulations Kobe, u deserve it. U played great. Enjoy it man enjoy it. I know what ur sayin 'Shaq how my ass taste'  [sic]."[132]

text: Upon hearing Bryant's comment about having more titles than O'Neal, Wyc Grousbeck, principal owner of the Boston Celtics, said to Danny Ainge, Celtics' president, "Let's go get Shaq."[133] O'Neal signed a two-year contract with the Celtics for the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 season for the league minimum of $1.3 million and adding to the Celtics–Lakers rivalry. Bill Simmons of ESPN speculated that O'Neal wanted to tie Bryant with five titles and that still "Shaq hates Kobe and Kobe hates Shaq."[134] O'Neal said he didn't "compete with little guys who run around dominating the ball, throwing up 30 shots a night – like D-Wade, Kobe." O'Neal added that he is only competing against Tim Duncan: "If Tim Duncan gets five rings, then that gives some writer the chance to say 'Duncan is the best,' and I can't have that."[135]

text: Post-playing careers: 2011–present[edit]

text: O'Neal announced his retirement via social media on June 1, 2011.[136][137] Two days later, O'Neal held a press conference at his home in Orlando to officially announce his retirement.[138] When asked who was the greatest player he ever played with during his career, O'Neal did not answer but Bryant was the only player whose name was mentioned.[139] He also mentioned that his departure from Los Angeles has nothing to do with Kobe Bryant, saying "the reason I left wasn't about what Kobe did; it was about something else. I was making maximum dollars and felt I deserved more. It was a business end." When asked whether leaving Los Angeles was a bad decision, he answered "I don't like to live in a world of ifs. But if we would have stayed, possibly we could have got six [championships]."[139]

text: After his retirement, O'Neal was hired by Turner Sports as an NBA analyst. When asked whether it would be difficult for him to criticize Bryant, he answered "I have the ability and the backing to give fair criticism. The only time I have trouble with people giving criticism is when they haven't walked that walk. I've walked many walks in my 19-year career, so I think any criticism that I give should be fair."[140] During the 2011 NBA lockout, Bryant discussed his problems with O'Neal with a radio station in Italy, saying "I like players who workout. I used to do that 6–7 hours per day. I cannot stand players who practice for 30 minutes."[141] O'Neal countered that he did not need to work out, and that "My three Finals MVPs speaks for itself."[142]

text: On February 6, 2012, Bryant passed O'Neal for fifth place on the all-time scoring list. Bryant said it was an honor because of their championships together. O'Neal congratulated Bryant, saying "I'm proud of him. I'm happy for him. And, most of all, I want to thank him for being a part of the greatest 1-2 punch ever created, never to be duplicated."[143] Bryant stated on radio the following day that he and O'Neal were never going to last as teammates. Bryant recalled: "There was an interview that I heard Shaq do which he kind of threw down the challenge of me not being able to win without him. After I read that, I said, 'Aw, that's it.' Some comparison that he made with me and Penny Hardaway, and once I read that, I said, 'You know what? I can't finish my career with people saying that. There's no way.'"[144] In 2013, Bryant said that the two "have a really, really good relationship now", calling it "a good lesson for all of us."[145] He said the two had "mutual respect" for each other,[146] while O'Neal commented that they had an "athletic dislike" for each other but "never had a real dislike".[147] That year, the Lakers retired O'Neal's No. 34 during a halftime ceremony. Bryant did not attend the ceremony, but called O'Neal "the most gifted physical specimen I've ever seen play this game" in a recorded video during the event.[147][148] Questioned about his absence, Bryant told the media, "I appreciate you guys trying to start some stuff for old times' sake."[148] Later, it came out that Bryant had missed the ceremony because he had been receiving treatment from the Lakers' training staff.[149]

text: In 2015, O'Neal would launch The Big Podcast with Bryant as his first guest. O'Neal would introduce Bryant as "the greatest Laker ever" as the two reflected on their feud.[150]

text: Bryant retired following the 2015–16 NBA season, playing his final game on April 13, 2016. Leading the Lakers to a come-from-behind 101–96 victory against the Utah Jazz with 60 points, Bryant outscored the entire Jazz team 23–21 in the fourth quarter. He was then taken off the floor with 4.1 second remaining, to an uproarious Staples Center crowd. O'Neal, who was in attendance, was the first person that Bryant embraced upon returning to the bench.[151][152] When asked about Kobe's legacy during a segment on TNT, Shaq repeated his praise of Bryant as "the greatest Laker ever."[153]

text: One year later, O'Neal was honored by the Lakers with a statue of his likeness outside Staples Center. Bryant was in attendance of the statue's unveiling and spoke at the event, which O'Neal said "meant a lot" to him.[154]. Addressing Kobe during the ceremony, O'Neal said, "Next time we're out here for a statue, it'll probably be your statue."[155]

text: Head-to-head meetings between O'Neal and Bryant[edit]

text: O'Neal was 7–4 all-time against Bryant, though Bryant outscored O'Neal in each meeting.[156]

text:
#
Game
Date
Score
Player
Points
Rebounds
Assists

1
Miami at Los Angeles
December 25, 2004
104–102 (OT)
Kobe Bryant
42
3
6

Shaquille O'Neal
24
11
3

2
Los Angeles at Miami
March 17, 2005
89–102
Kobe Bryant
26
10
3

Shaquille O'Neal
25
12
2

3
Los Angeles at Miami
December 25, 2005
92–97
Kobe Bryant
37
8
6

Shaquille O'Neal
18
17
3

4
Miami at Los Angeles
January 16, 2006
92–100
Kobe Bryant
37
3
4

Shaquille O'Neal
18
10
1

5
Los Angeles at Phoenix
February 20, 2008
130–124
Kobe Bryant
41
5
3

Shaquille O'Neal
15
9
3

6
Los Angeles at Phoenix
November 20, 2008
105–92
Kobe Bryant
24
5
3

Shaquille O'Neal
15
9
1

7
Phoenix at Los Angeles
February 26, 2009
106–132
Kobe Bryant
22
4
8

Shaquille O'Neal
12
7
0

8
Los Angeles at Phoenix
March 1, 2009
111–118
Kobe Bryant
49
11
2

Shaquille O'Neal
33
7
3

9
Cleveland at Los Angeles
December 25, 2009
102–87
Kobe Bryant
35
9
8

Shaquille O'Neal
11
7
0

10
Los Angeles at Cleveland
January 21, 2010
87–93
Kobe Bryant
31
2
4

Shaquille O'Neal
13
6
3

11
Boston at Los Angeles
January 30, 2011
109–96
Kobe Bryant
41
3
4

Shaquille O'Neal
0
6
0

tag: table


document_title: Great Western Cattle Trail

question_text: where did the great western cattle trail begin and end

text: Great Western Cattle Trail

text: Brief history[edit]

text: The Great Western Cattle Trail was first traveled by Captain John T. Lytle in 1874 when he was transporting 3,500 longhorn cattle up from Southern Texas into Nebraska. In five short years, it became one of the most traveled and famous Cattle Trails in U.S. history. Despite its popularity, traffic along the trail began to decline in 1885 due to the spreading use of barbed wire fences and the legislation calling for a quarantine of Texas cattle due to the "Texas Fever" - a disease spread by a parasitic tick. The last major Cattle drive up the trail was on its way to Deadwood, South Dakota in 1893. By that time there had been an estimated six to seven million cattle and one million horses that had traversed the trail. Later, in order to commemorate the significance of the Cattle Drive era, two markers were erected in the 1930s at Doan's. Doan's was seen as the last "stepping-off point" before entering Indian Territory that sold supplies, ammo, tobacco, provisions, Stetson hats & guns, and anything else that would be required on the long trek. C.E. Doan had kept a meticulous record of the companies and Trail Bosses along with the number of cattle that crossed his path each year, allowing for numbers and history to be preserved, so a marker was fitting. In 2003 a new project was launched in order to place cement markers every six to ten miles along the trail, from the Rio Grande to Ogallala, Nebraska. Oklahoma set the first post south of the city at Altus.

text: Texas placed its first marker at the Doan's Adobe house during the 121st Doan's May Day Picnic of 2005. The picnic was first held in 1884 on the first Saturday of May at the now ghost town of Doans, north of Vernon, Texas. A barbecue lunch and T-shirts are available for sale, and a king and queen are crowned at the event. One of the shirts for 2017 features a design by Harold Dow Bugbee, former curator of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas, which depicts longhorns and a cowboy crossing the Red River at Doan's Crossing. There the postmaster Corwin F. Doan (1848-1929) also operated a store to supply the cowboys.[2][3] Bugbee's sculpture is part of the 1931 Trail Drivers Monument at Doans. During the event, riders cross the river each year from Oklahoma and usually arrive just before noon. The adobe house, built in 1881, is the oldest in Wilbarger County and is open for tours during the picnic.[4]

text: Markers were also placed in another major stopping point of the Great Western Cattle Trail: Seymour, Texas. One marker was erected in 1972 by the Seymour Historical Society, another four have been added since. Seymour was historically a popular campsite for cowboys since it was a major supply center. In fact, both Cowboys and Indians alike mingled in peace. In part due to the Great Western Cattle Trail's traffic, Seymour was seen as an ideal place to host a Cowboy Reunion. Jeff Scott was the retired Cowboy who broached the idea and it 'took'. In 1896 the Cowboy's Reunion was organized and had 10,000 spectators. The following year, 1897, Native American Chief Quanah Parker attended the Reunion, where he performed war dances with 300-500 of his Braves. The tradition of the Cowboy Reunion still continues today, except that it is now called the Seymour Rodeo and Reunion, and occurs on the second weekend of each July.

text: Landmarks on the trail[edit]

text: Due to the project launched in 2003 it is easy for people to find where the Great Western Cattle Trail was since there are now cement markers every six to ten miles along the way. It was not always so, however. Cowboys used to have to find their way using landmarks. The major ones were Mt. Tepee, Big Elk Crossing, and Soldier's Spring. Mt. Tepee is actually Mount Webster, but it looked like a giant white Tepee standing out against the rest of the Wichita Mountains, and so was a useful landmark. It wouldn't be long before they reached Big Elk Creek, and needed to cross it. Big Elk Crossing was an ideal place to get the job done. Most of the time river crossings are unfortunate because they will bog down the cattle in mud that will be difficult to push lagers and sore-footed animals through at the end.There also is the danger that an animal will break a leg. Finding a stone crossing such as Big Elk was ideal. It was placed at a horseshoe bend in the creek, which acted like a natural corral to contain and herd the animals during the crossing. After crossing, it would take maybe a day or so to reach the next landmark: Soldier's Spring. Soldier's Spring is not as easily found today. It was a huge, red, sandstone bluff that was taller than a man's head, with spring water spilling out of its face and pooling at the bottom. The reason it was called Soldier's Spring was that it reportedly had names and ranks cut into it and the surrounding rocks. It was a fantastic place to camp while along the trail. All that remains of it today is a few broken rocks and a small, spring-fed pool.

text: Dangers of the trail[edit]

text: Despite the apparent languidness of the journey, there were always dangers. One of the major ones was stampeding. If a herd got spooked, that would mean that as many as 3,000 longhorn cattle would be in a panic-induced stampede. At that point the only thing that could safely stop them would be to corral them till they were all running in one big circle. Then the herd could let off steam safely and calm down while causing as little damage as possible. Cowboys had to be able to jump on their horses at a moments notice during the night in case of such an instance. Naturally there were precautions taken against such things. First off there was the response tactics aforementioned, but Cowboys would also sing softly to their cattle while on watch in order to cover up any sharp, unexpected noises that could cause the herd to spook, and they were extra careful when the weather turned stormy. But it wasn't only natural noises that could cause a herd to stampede.

text: During the time of the Great Western Cattle Trail there was also the forced relocation of Native Americans to the Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation, effectively destroying native way of life. There are no reports of Natives being hostile to earlier Cattle Drivers, but as the Trail grew in traffic and popularity the Natives began demanding payment for the excellent grazing their territory provided. Of course, the Trail Boss never did give the usual 7 to 8 heads the Natives asked for, but usually gave 3 to 4 of the cattle that would either die on the trail, not fetch as good a price as others at market, or was one of the stragglers from a different drive. The Natives weren't exactly in a place to and didn't usually complain upon receiving beef. If they did not receive their beef, however, they would spook and stampede the herd during the night. This was not only problematic for everyone involved in the Cattle Drive, but it also meant greater potential loss than if they had peacefully paid the Native's toll, and could cause lasting damage to settlers. When hostilities got particularly bad, the Soldiers assigned to the Washita River Crossing by Edwardsville Rock was in charge of escorting Cattle Drives from the Red River's Doan Crossing to the Washita River. Fort Elliot troops took it from there. The Washita River soldiers were believed to be the ones who carved on Soldier's Spring during their patrols, though no one has ever confirmed it.

text: Even in cities the dangers of the trail continued. Cowboys who spent weeks on the trail were spoiling for trouble, and they found it in places such as Dodge City. With Saloons, alcohol and pent up energy, it wasn't surprising that more than a few Cowboys got involved in duels or shootings of one kind or another. The Boot Hill Cemetery at Dodge City was soon populated by Cowboys and the civilians and occasional town marshal they put there.


document_title: The Greatest Showman

question_text: who plays p.t. barnum in the greatest showman

question_tokens: who plays p.t . barnum in the greatest showman

text: The Greatest Showman

text: Plot[edit]

text: In the late 19th century, P. T. Barnum and his troupe perform a show at the circus ("The Greatest Show"). In a flashback to Barnum's childhood where he and his father Philo, a tailor, work for the Hallett family, he becomes infatuated with their daughter, Charity. Though Charity is being sent to finishing school, Barnum reassures her they will not be separated. The two keep in touch through letters until they meet again in adulthood ("A Million Dreams"), eventually marrying and raising two daughters, Caroline and Helen, in New York City ("A Million Dreams" reprise). They live a humble life; though Charity is happy, Barnum dreams of more.

text: Barnum loses his job as a clerk at a shipping company after the company goes bankrupt. Taking a risky bet, he takes out a large loan from a bank, deceiving the bank into accepting his former employer's lost ships as collateral. He uses this loan to buy Barnum's American Museum in downtown Manhattan, an attraction showcasing various wax models. Initially, sales are slow; on the suggestion of his children to showcase something "alive", Barnum searches for "freaks" to serve as performers for his museum ("Come Alive"). This attracts a large audience despite protests and poor reviews, prompting Barnum to rename his venture "Barnum's Circus".

text: Searching for ways to further his reputation amongst the upper class, Barnum meets playwright Phillip Carlyle and convinces him to join his venture ("The Other Side"). Carlyle is enchanted with Anne Wheeler, an African-American trapeze artist, but he hides his feelings. During a trip, Carlyle arranges for Barnum and his troupe to meet Queen Victoria. Afterwards, Barnum meets Jenny Lind, a famed Swedish singer, whom he convinces to perform in America, with him serving as her manager. Lind's first American performance is a rousing success ("Never Enough"). While Barnum gains favor with the aristocratic patrons, he begins to distance himself from his original troupe, refusing to socialize with them. Dejected, they decide to stand against their local harassers ("This Is Me").

text: Carlyle and Wheeler attend the theatre together one night, only to run into Carlyle's parents, who insult Wheeler's lowly status, causing her to leave. Carlyle chases her and tries to convince her that they can be together, but she rejects him despite her feelings towards him ("Rewrite the Stars"). As Barnum takes Lind on a US tour, Charity feels isolated from her husband as she stays home with their daughters ("Tightrope"). While on tour, Lind begins falling in love with Barnum, but when he refuses her advances, she calls off the tour and kisses him at the end of her last show, which is photographed by the press ("Never Enough" reprise). Barnum returns home to find his circus on fire, caused by a fight between the protesters and the troupe. Carlyle, who had tried to save Anne not knowing she had already escaped, is rescued by Barnum amid the chaos but suffers severe burns. Most of the sets and props are destroyed. Word of Lind's cancellation and Barnum's public intimacy also reaches New York, resulting in his mansion being foreclosed upon and Charity taking Caroline and Helen to her parents' home.

text: Depressed, Barnum retreats to a local bar, where his troupe find him there and explain that their own mothers were ashamed of them, and how unimpressed they are with him for giving up on them too, thinking that maybe he is a fraud, which causes him to realize the circus was for his friends and family rather than for himself. Meanwhile, the injured Carlyle wakes in a hospital with Anne by his side and they share a kiss ("From Now On").

text: Barnum leaves and finds his estranged wife, and they decide to mend their relationship. Faced with the financial difficulty of rebuilding the circus, the recovering Carlyle steps in, offering to use his earnings from his share of the circus's profits to rebuild it under the condition of becoming partners, which Barnum happily accepts. As rebuilding the circus in its original location would be too expensive, Barnum rebuilds it as an open-air tent circus by the docks. The revamped circus is a huge success, and Barnum gives full control of the show to Carlyle so he can focus on his family ("The Greatest Show" reprise).

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Hugh Jackman as P. T. Barnum, an ambitious showman and entrepreneur.

Ellis Rubin as Young P. T. Barnum

Ziv Zaifman provides Young P. T. Barnum's singing voice.

Zac Efron as Phillip Carlyle, a playwright who becomes Barnum's partner. His character is partly based on James Anthony Bailey.
Michelle Williams as Charity Hallett-Barnum, the wife of P.T. Barnum.

Skylar Dunn as Young Charity

Rebecca Ferguson as Jenny Lind, a famous Swedish singer known as the "Swedish Nightingale".

Loren Allred provides Lind's singing voice.[8][9]

Zendaya as Anne Wheeler, an acrobat, trapeze artist, W.D.'s younger sister and Phillip Carlyle's love interest. Her character is partly based on Ruth Louisa McCaddon.
Keala Settle as Lettie Lutz, a bearded lady. She is a composite character partly based on Josephine Clofullia and Annie Jones.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as W. D. Wheeler, an acrobat and Anne's brother.
Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Deng Yan, a Chinese acrobat and blade-specialist.
Paul Sparks as James Gordon Bennett, the founder, editor and publisher of the New York Herald.
Sam Humphrey as Charles Stratton, a dwarf performer who is also known by his stage name, General Tom Thumb.

James Babson provides Stratton's speaking and singing voice.

Austyn Johnson as Caroline Barnum, one of Barnum's daughters.
Cameron Seely as Helen Barnum, one of Barnum's daughters.
Eric Anderson as Mr. O'Malley, a former thief whom Barnum employs at his circus to handle different tasks like staffing the front of the house, selling tickets, reading the reviews, fending off the protestors, producing the posters and promotional materials, and distributing the circus posters on everything.
Daniel Everidge as The Lord of Leeds, a heavyweight man who is based on Teodulo Valenzuela.
Timothy Hughes as the Strongman, a man with enhanced strength who is based on Angus MacAskill.
Shannon Holtzapffel as Prince Constantine, the Tattooed Man who is based off George Costentenus.
Luciano Acuna Jr. as Walter, the Dog Boy who is based off of Fedor Jeftichew.
Danial Son and Yusaku Komori as Chang and Eng Bunker, the "Siamese Twins."
Jonathan Redavid as Frank Lentini, the Three-Legged Man.
Nick Jantz as Jeff Harris, the Juggler.
Kenneth Chan as the Human Cannonball
Martha Nichols as Woman in Gold, a woman in gold clothing with gold spots on her.
Jeremy Hudson as The Elephant-Skinned Man, a man who is based off of Ralph Krooner. He was credited as "Dancer Oddity #3."[10]
Taylor James as Blockhead, a man with facial piercing that is based off of Melvin Burkhart. He is credited as "Dancing Oddity #4."[10]
Chelsea Caso as Tattoo Lady, a woman covered in tattoos who is based off of Nora Hildebrant. She is credited as "Dancing Oddity #5."[10]
Caoife Coleman and Mishay Petronelli as the Albino Twins. They were credited as "Dancer Oddity #6" and "Dancer Oddity #7."
Khasan Brasilford as Albino Man, a white-haired man in white clothes. He was credited as "Ensemble Dancer #1."[10]
Alex Wong as Oriental Man, a man dressed in an oriental outfit. He was credited as "Ensemble Dancer #2."[10]
Julius Rubio as Golden Boy, a man in gold clothing with gold spots on him. He was credited as "Ensemble Dancer #2."[10]
Vincent-Oliver Noiseux as Devil Boy, a performer with horns. He was credited as "Ensemble Dancer #4."[10]
Dean Walters and Jessica Castro as the Voodoo Twins. They are credited as "Ensemble Dancer #5" and "Ensemble Dancer" #6.[10]
Najla Gilam as Snake Dancer, a snake charmer who is based off of Nala Damajanti. She was credited as "Ensemble Dancer #7."[10]
Damian Young as Mr. Winthrop
Tina Benko as Mrs. Winthrop
Gayle Rankin as Queen Victoria.
Will Swenson as Philo Barnum, a tailor and the father of P. T. Barnum.
Fredric Lehne as Benjamin Hallett, father of Charity and abusive father-in-law of Barnum.
Kathryn Meisle as Hannah Hallett, mother of Charity and mother-in-law of Barnum.
Shuler Hensley as Lead Protestor
James Andrew O'Connor as Fireman

text: Production[edit]

text: The project was first announced in 2009, with Jackman already set for the title role.[11] In August 2011, Michael Gracey was chosen to direct.[12] In 2013, Fox hired lyricists Pasek and Paul to write the songs.[13]

text: On June 15, 2016, Zac Efron began negotiations to star in the film,[14] and in July 2016, Michelle Williams was cast.[15][16][17][18] The film was choreographed by Ashley Wallen.[19]

text: Filming[edit]

text: Rehearsals on the film began in October 2016 in New York City, and principal photography began on November 22, 2016.[20][21]

text: Post-production[edit]

text: In December 2017, it was reported that James Mangold, who had worked with Jackman on several projects (including 2017's Logan), had been brought in to serve as an executive producer during the film's post-production. In an interview, director Michael Gracey noted, "There were eight producers on this film, and it was amazing having one of them be a filmmaker."[22]

text: Music[edit]

text: Musical numbers[edit]

text: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote nine songs.[23]

text:
"The Greatest Show" – Hugh Jackman, Keala Settle, Zac Efron, Zendaya
"A Million Dreams" – Ziv Zaifman, Jackman, Michelle Williams
"A Million Dreams" (Reprise) – Austyn Johnson, Cameron Seely, Jackman
"Come Alive" – Jackman, Settle, Daniel Everidge, Zendaya
"The Other Side" – Jackman & Efron
"Never Enough" – Loren Allred
"This Is Me" – Settle
"Rewrite the Stars" – Efron & Zendaya
"Tightrope" – Williams
"Never Enough" (Reprise) – Allred
"From Now On" – Jackman

tag: ol

text: Soundtrack[edit]

text: The soundtrack album is produced by Greg Wells, Justin Paul, and Benj Pasek, featuring eleven tracks performed by the cast. In the United Kingdom it became only the second album in 30 years to achieve 11 consecutive weeks at number 1.[24] The Greatest Showman now draws level with Adele's 21 for the longest unbroken run at the UK summit in the last 30 years. The cast album is now at 465,000 combined units, according to the Official Charts Company, made up of 197,000 physical copies, 107,000 downloads and 35% streaming.[25]

text: Release[edit]

text: The Greatest Showman held its premiere on December 8, 2017, aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2, while it was docked in New York City. The film was then released in the United States on December 20, 2017.[26][27] Like Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast, a sing-along version of the film was released in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2018.[28] The film had a limited IMAX release on February 2.

text: Marketing[edit]

text: On June 28, 2017, 20th Century Fox released the first international trailer to promote the film. On November 13, 2017, the second trailer was released.[29]

text: On December 17, 2017, Fox televised a live performance of "Come Alive" from Warner Bros. Studios during its live musical special A Christmas Story Live! (which was based on fellow Pasek and Paul work A Christmas Story: The Musical). The number featured the film's stars and a cast of 150 dancers.[30][31]

text: Home media[edit]

text: In the United States, the film was released via digital download on March 20, 2018, and was released on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD on April 10, 2018.[32] In the United Kingdom, the film was released first on digital download on April 27, 2018, while Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD copies went on sale on May 14. These versions include the sing-along version, two hours of behind-the-scenes footage and music machine jukebox features.[33]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Box office[edit]

text: As of June 12, 2018[update], The Greatest Showman has grossed $174 million in the United States and Canada, and $259.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $433.2 million, against a production budget of $84 million.[3] It is the third highest grossing musical ever in North America and globally, respectively, and Deadline Hollywood estimated the film would turn a profit between $50–100 million.[34]

text: In the United States and Canada, The Greatest Showman was released alongside Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and was projected to gross around $21 million from 3,006 theaters over its first six days.[35][36] It took in $2 million on its first day and $2 million on its second. Over the three day weekend, it grossed $9 million (for a six-day total of $19 million), finishing fourth at the box office, behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Pitch Perfect 3.[37] In its second weekend, the film grossed $15.5 million, again finishing 4th at the box office.[38] The weekend-to-weekend increase of 76.3% marked the largest ever for a film playing in over 3,000 theaters, and the fourth biggest ever.[39][40] In its third week, the film dropped 11% to $14 million.[41]

text: The film made $13 million in its fourth weekend and $11 million in its fifth, finishing 4th and 5th at the box office, respectively.[42] The film continued to hold well in its sixth week of release, grossing $9.5 million and returning to 4th place,[43] and again finished fourth in its seventh week, this time grossing $7.8 million (a drop of just 18%).[44] It is the 13th highest-grossing film to never top the American box office.[45]

text: Critical response[edit]

text: On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 56% based on 207 reviews, and an average rating of 6/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Greatest Showman tries hard to dazzle the audience with a Barnum-style sense of wonder – but at the expense of its complex subject's far more intriguing real-life story."[46] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 48 out of 100, based on 43 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[47] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while it earned a 70% "definite recommend" from comScore.[37]

text: Owen Gleiberman of Variety gave the film a positive review, writing, "The Greatest Showman is a concoction, the kind of film where all the pieces click into place, yet at an hour and 45 minutes it flies by, and the link it draws between P.T. Barnum and the spirit of today is more than hype."[48] Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3/4 stars, saying, "With all that corn and cheese and old-timey sentiment, The Greatest Showman ends up scoring some very timely social arguments. P.T. Barnum himself would have approved the dramatic sleight of hand."[49] Steve Persall of Tampa Bay Times gave the film an 'A', and said, "The Greatest Showman is the feel-good movie the holiday season needs,"[50] while William Bibbiani of IGN gave The Greatest Showman a score of 7.9/10, and called the film, "wildly entertaining."[51]

text: Britton Peele of The Dallas Morning News said, "The story is interesting and the beats are well-acted, but it's the musical numbers that make The Greatest Showman."[52] Jackie K Cooper of HuffPost gave the film a score of 10/10 and wrote, "You will be overwhelmed by the music and magic that explode on the screen. The film has a message that should resonate with today's world concerning acceptance and courage."[53] Hugh Armitage of Digital Spy said, "The Greatest Showman is a broad and solid crowd-pleaser. An undemanding spectacle for all the family."[54] Alan Jones of Radio Times called it "A joyously uplifting potpourii of visual resplendence, stylish choreography and solid gold magic, one engineered to approximate the lavish spectacle the movie musical once offered."[55]

text: Sheila O'Malley of RogerEbert.com gave it 3.5/4, stating "The Greatest Showman is an unabashed piece of pure entertainment punctuated by memorable songs."[56] Douglas Davidson of CLTure called the film, "An undeniable spectacle with a infectious soundtrack, a movie that dazzles and delights."[57] James Berardinelli of ReelViews gave the film a 3/4 score, and said, "The film has show-stopping well-choreographed numbers with catchy tunes,"[58] and Calvin Wilson of St. Louis Post-Dispatch called the film "highly enjoyable."[59]

text: Carl Kozlowski of Pasadena Weekly gave the film an 'A', calling it "Groundbreaking & grandly innovative."[60] Sean P. Means of The Salt Lake Tribune gave The Greatest Showman 3.5/4 stars, stating, "A strong cast give emotional power to this romanticized, tune-filled biography."[61] Manuela Lazic of Little White Lies gave it 4/5, saying, "The Greatest Showman deserves to become a Christmas classic. The film's severe romanticism and ridiculous but affecting enthusiasm make it irresistibly life-affirming."[62] Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and called it, "A fantasia of song and dance, a joyous exercise in pure entertainment that is made for the holiday crowd."[63]

text: Conversely, Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the film a negative review, criticizing the songs and characters and saying "There's idiotic, and there's magnificent, but The Greatest Showman is that special thing that happens sometimes. It's magnificently idiotic. It's an awful mess, but it's flashy. The temptation is to cover your face and watch it through your fingers, because it's so earnest and embarrassing and misguided – and yet it's well-made."[64] In a negative review for The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney wrote "This ersatz portrait of American big-top tent impresario P.T. Barnum is all smoke and mirrors, no substance. It hammers pedestrian themes of family, friendship and inclusivity while neglecting the fundaments of character and story."[65]

text: Writing for Rolling Stone, Peter Travers gave the film 1.5 out of 4 stars, saying, "How do you cast a virtuoso Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum, spare no expense in production values, add a score by Oscar and Tony winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and still end up with the shrill blast of nothing that is The Greatest Showman? Ask first-time director Michael Gracey, who cut his teeth on commercials and music videos without ever mastering the crucial knack of building snippets of musical comedy and drama into a satisfying whole."[66] Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film's failures "are rooted in something deeper: a dispiriting lack of faith in the audience's intelligence, and a dawning awareness of its own aesthetic hypocrisy. You've rarely seen a more straight-laced musical about the joys of letting your freak flag fly."[67]

text: Accolades[edit]

text:
Award
Date of ceremony
Category
Recipient(s) and nominee(s)
Result
Ref(s)

AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards
February 5, 2018
Best Grownup Love Story
The Greatest Showman
Won
[68][69]

Academy Awards
March 4, 2018
Best Original Song
"This Is Me" – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Nominated
[70][71]

Casting Society of America
January 18, 2018
Big Budget – Comedy
Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield, Rori Bergman and Patrick Goodwin
Won
[72]

Costume Designers Guild
February 20, 2018
Excellence in Period Film
Ellen Mirojnick
Nominated
[73]

Critics' Choice Movie Awards
January 11, 2018
Best Song
"This Is Me" – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Nominated
[74]

Dorian Awards
February 24, 2018
Campy Flick of the Year
The Greatest Showman
Nominated
[75]
[76]

Empire Awards
March 18, 2018
Best Costume Design
The Greatest Showman
Nominated
[77]
[78]

Best Make-up And Hairstyling
The Greatest Showman
Nominated

Georgia Film Critics Association
January 12, 2018
Best Original Song
"This Is Me" – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Nominated
[79]

Golden Globe Awards
January 7, 2018
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Hugh Jackman
Nominated
[80]

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
The Greatest Showman
Nominated

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
"This Is Me" – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Won

Golden Reel Awards
February 18, 2018
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Musical
Jen Monnar, Jim Harrison, Jeff Carson, Peter Myles and Sheri Ozeki
Won
[81]

Guild of Music Supervisors Awards
February 8, 2018
Best Music Supervision for Film: Budgeted Over 25 Million Dollars
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Nominated
[82]

Best Song/Recording Created for a Film
"This Is Me" – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Nominated

Heartland Film Festival
December 31, 2017
Truly Moving Picture Award
Michael Gracey
Won
[83]

Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild
February 24, 2018
Feature Motion Picture: Best Period and/or Character Makeup
Nicki Ledermann, Tania Ribalow and Sunday Englis
Nominated
[84]

Saturn Awards
June 27, 2018
Best Action or Adventure Film
The Greatest Showman
Pending
[85]

Best Costume Design
Ellen Mirojnick
Pending

Best Music
John Debney and Joseph Trapanese
Pending