Rent The Eichmann Show (2015)

A different kind of Holocaust movie - The Eichmann Show review by HW

This is one of those films that gets a great human story out of a unique, remarkable event: the filming of the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem in 1961. Before seeing this film, I had no idea of the monumental impact of the first worldwide documentary series, broadcasting Holocaust testimonials to an unsuspecting global audience. Recreations of the trial are blended almost seamlessly with chilling historical footage. As well as confronting you with horrors from one of humanity’s worst episodes, we get a tense, gripping and fast-paced film as the filmmakers struggle with a range of obstacles: from outside (fussy judges and death threats) and inside. Anthony Lapaglia gives a rather fascinating performance as blacklisted director Leo Hurvitz, a man depicted as obsessed with exposing the humanity behind fascism at the cost of entertainment; which brings him into clashes with his anxious employer, played well by Martin Freeman in one of his more serious roles. This well-crafted and original drama proves that you can never have enough stories and discussion about the Holocaust.