Release Date: May 23rd, 2007 (Quad Cinema) by Luminous Velocity. Directed by Richard Trank. BASIC PREMISE: A documentary about Simon Wiesenthal, a Nazi hunter and humanitarian. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: Narrated by Nicole Kidman, this informative and absorbing film documents the life of Simon Wiesenthal, from his survival in the Holocaust through his endless fight to bring Nazis to justice for the rest of his life. All of his family members were killed during the Holocaust except his wife, Cyla Mueller, so, they both settled down in Austria. Wiesenthal opened a small, private office called the Jewish Historical Documentation center, devoted to finding the whereabouts of Nazi war criminals and bring them to justice. His task certainly was not easy because a lot of documents with names of Nazis were destroyed. It feels riveting to watch how he brought war criminals, such as Franz Stangl, Gustav Wagner and Adolf Eichmann, to justice. He also tried his best to find the elusive, infamous Dr.Mengele, whose bones were found in Brazil after drowning in the ocean, and Karl Silberbauer, the Nazi who arrest Anne Frank. In total, he brought nearly 1,100 Nazis to justice. Wiesenthal wasn’t always accurate with his investigations, which angered some people in other countries where he searched for the perpetrators, but at least he was doing his best given his limited resources. Director Richard Trank expertly combines footage of Wiesenthal along with interviews with family members, friends and colleagues, which help to give you a clear understanding of the significance of Simon Wiesenthal. Anyone who watches this powerful documentary will always remembered him for the rest of their life. SPIRITUAL VALUE: Wiesenthal refused to be called a hero, but it goes without saying that his heroic and courageous actions have made an impression on many people all around the world. He never gave up, even under immense pressure and with many threats to his own life. It’s comforting and inspiring to know that such a great man existed in the world. Even though he died in 2005, his spirit of justice and courage remains along with the Simon Wiesenthal Center that he founded in Los Angeles. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: None. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 0 IN A NUTSHELL: Unforgettable and inspirational. An absorbing, informative and powerful documentary. RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Movie Theater Main Page Alphabetical Menu Chronological Menu The "I" Menu ______________________________________________________ |