Two school girls, one Jewish and one from a family who are strong Nazi supporters are close friends in Vienna in 1938. Their relationship holds fast even as the persecution of Jews grows. Some Jews are aware of the encroaching danger but others refuse to see it and many lose their last opportunity to escape it. The film gets a little maudlin at times: the girls' dialogue seems too adult and idealistic. However the story does clearly depict the insidious manner in which Naziism divided families, friends and communities and it does so in a manner suitable for people from ages 7 to adult. I give it 7/10 (enjoyable enough for one viewing).
4 Reviews
A Moving Story, Very Nicely Done
mshields187 June 2003
This movie is based on the novel 'The Devil in Vienna' by Doris Orgel. The book was written for young adults, and in diary format as told by Inge a young Jewish girl of 13 living in Vienna just before the Nazi takeover of Austria.
The movie is true to the story and the spirit of the book, and tells how these events impact Inge and her best friend Lisette (who is Catholic) and their families. The girls vow to maintain their friendship no matter what happens -- even though Lisette's father and brother are ardent Austrian Nazi's.
The girls are believable in their roles, and Ed Asner stands out as Inge's grandfather. This movie should be enjoyed by girls, as well as people interested in this time period. It especially gives interesting details on how early Nazi laws impacted schools and day to day Jewish lives in Vienna.
The movie is true to the story and the spirit of the book, and tells how these events impact Inge and her best friend Lisette (who is Catholic) and their families. The girls vow to maintain their friendship no matter what happens -- even though Lisette's father and brother are ardent Austrian Nazi's.
The girls are believable in their roles, and Ed Asner stands out as Inge's grandfather. This movie should be enjoyed by girls, as well as people interested in this time period. It especially gives interesting details on how early Nazi laws impacted schools and day to day Jewish lives in Vienna.
Friendships ending over fear.
mark.waltz5 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Two lifelong friends (Jenny Lewis and Kamie Harper) suffered their greatest challenge in life even before they reach young adulthood, faced with the consequences of the arrival of the Nazis in Australia. In the first 45 minutes, you hear about the possibilities of what the Nazis will do, and the last half of the film, you see them carried out and it becomes terrifying. Adults begin to change their points of view out of their own fears of being considered a Jewish sympathizer as if they know what the fate will be.
As the Nazi power rises, the horrors become even more obvious as communities that were once friendly with everybody around them begin to openly discriminate Jews in the street. The opening scene Jewish newspaper editor (Jane Alexander) taking away Nazi propaganda from a bunch of young boys she's known all her life and that sets her up for becoming a target, as well as her family, husband Stephen Macht, daughter Lewis and wise father Ed Asner. Rosemary Forsythe is the initially anti-Nazi teacher whose attitudes change as her own personal fears take over.
A morality tale as well as a historical one, this asks the question of what people should do when they see other groups being unjustly targeted for hatred, and it is heartbreaking to watch the story unfold. Asner's farewell as he leaves his home to get away from the oncoming terror is truly touching. The street confrontation between Lewis and Harper, now wearing a Nazi young girl's uniform, is awkward because they are screaming at each other over these issues in the street as soldiers walked by and not hear them. It didn't ring of truth in the way that the situation arose.
In many ways, this shows a world of Orwell's "1984" that seems to be taking place here because everybody in their efforts to save themselves becomes the most horrific of nosy neighbors, even turning to blackmail which happens with one of the youth from the first scene. The performances and atmosphere are excellent even though there are a couple of minor flaws is that in context of the situation seem out of place even if we'd rather not see them. If you're going to present the whole story, and not skimp on the terrors, show it all. A must for World War II historians, particularly the plight of European Jews caught in the worst part of what happened in countries taken over by the Nazis.
As the Nazi power rises, the horrors become even more obvious as communities that were once friendly with everybody around them begin to openly discriminate Jews in the street. The opening scene Jewish newspaper editor (Jane Alexander) taking away Nazi propaganda from a bunch of young boys she's known all her life and that sets her up for becoming a target, as well as her family, husband Stephen Macht, daughter Lewis and wise father Ed Asner. Rosemary Forsythe is the initially anti-Nazi teacher whose attitudes change as her own personal fears take over.
A morality tale as well as a historical one, this asks the question of what people should do when they see other groups being unjustly targeted for hatred, and it is heartbreaking to watch the story unfold. Asner's farewell as he leaves his home to get away from the oncoming terror is truly touching. The street confrontation between Lewis and Harper, now wearing a Nazi young girl's uniform, is awkward because they are screaming at each other over these issues in the street as soldiers walked by and not hear them. It didn't ring of truth in the way that the situation arose.
In many ways, this shows a world of Orwell's "1984" that seems to be taking place here because everybody in their efforts to save themselves becomes the most horrific of nosy neighbors, even turning to blackmail which happens with one of the youth from the first scene. The performances and atmosphere are excellent even though there are a couple of minor flaws is that in context of the situation seem out of place even if we'd rather not see them. If you're going to present the whole story, and not skimp on the terrors, show it all. A must for World War II historians, particularly the plight of European Jews caught in the worst part of what happened in countries taken over by the Nazis.
Engrossing, believable
gcapp-14 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
A movie that would be welcome on DVD if it isn't out already.
The movie captures the harsh, anti-humanity of the Nazi movement, the illogic of their hatred, and the beastliness of their thug-like behaviour to intimidate opposition.
You get to know these two girls and then ache when adult jealousies and adult attitudes try to separate them. Lise's father and brother are motivated by hatred, Inge's mother and father are motivated by fear and concern for their daughter. All the while, the two girls bear up under the illogical division that's trying to spoil their special friendship.
In the end, did Lise's father succeed in spoiling it? It could have been anything else.
The movie captures the harsh, anti-humanity of the Nazi movement, the illogic of their hatred, and the beastliness of their thug-like behaviour to intimidate opposition.
You get to know these two girls and then ache when adult jealousies and adult attitudes try to separate them. Lise's father and brother are motivated by hatred, Inge's mother and father are motivated by fear and concern for their daughter. All the while, the two girls bear up under the illogical division that's trying to spoil their special friendship.
In the end, did Lise's father succeed in spoiling it? It could have been anything else.
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