A set of commercials were filmed in August at Cleese’s home in Monaco, under the direction of the Inbar, Merhav, Shaked Advertising agency.
Cleese was recently cast in Reshef Levy’s new movie “Hunting Elephants.” He had to turn the part down, however, due to medical reasons. Patrick Stewart will play the role.
Hashahar Ha’oleh was not prepared to give up on Cleese and because he could not fly to Israel, they flew to his home in Monaco. The entire production staff was flown out from Israel to make the commercials, with Cleese apparently receiving $50,000 for his participation.
This ad shows John Cleese as a Western General who gives the IDF the go ahead to perform and air strike against an anonymous Middle East enemy. Odd for a commercial for a Nutella type chocolate spread.
"We need your approval of the attack," an Israeli in the war room says. "I promise you, we will be in and out in 33 minutes...we have the right to defend ourselves!"
A distracted Cleese then grabs a jar of HaSachar Haole's Sababa Egozim spread, messily licks the wrapper, and then announces a Hebrew phrase that the Jerusalem Post translates as "Great stuff" but what appears to be the company's official YouTube account translates as "Let's get nuts!" Generals high five; Cleese doesn't notice the residual chocolate smudge on his nose.
