Max and Helen (TV 1990)

Based on the fact-based novel by Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal based on his 1962 prosecution of the head of a Polish factory whom he learns was a murderous labor camp commandant. To be able ... See full summary »

Director:

Philip Saville

Writers:

Simon Wiesenthal (book), Corey Blechman (teleplay)

Stars:

Treat Williams, Alice Krige, Martin Landau

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Treat Williams	...	Max Rosenberg
Alice Krige	...	Helen Weiss
Martin Landau	...	Simon Wiesenthal
Jonny Phillips	...	Werner Schultze / Mark Weiss (as Jonathan Phillips)
Adam Kotz	...	Peter
Jodhi May	...	Miriam Weiss
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Martin Greenbaum
Lulee Fisher	...	Judith
Ian Bartholomew	...	Magistrate
Zoltán Gera	...	Elderly Man
John Grillo	...	Joseph Weiss
Aviva Goldkorn	...	Mrs. Weiss
Béla Jáki	...	SS Officer / Camp
Richard Kane	...	Businessman
István Kanitzsai	...	SS Officer Train

Storyline

Based on the fact-based novel by Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal based on his 1962 prosecution of the head of a Polish factory whom he learns was a murderous labor camp commandant. To be able to take him to justice, he must find witnesses who can help him. This leads him to Max Rosenberg, a still tormented individual who lost his wife, Helen, in the camps. Initially Max refuses to cooperate, but gradually his story unfolds beginning before the Holocaust.

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Plot Keywords:

holocaust | jewish | based on book | based on true story | character name in title

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 January 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hakaristin pitkä varjo

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Citadel Entertainment, Hungarian Television Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

By the numbers movie lifted by performances of cast

Simon Wiesenthal (Martin Landau) goes after a former Nazi and in doing so, upturns the lives of a doctor (Treat Williams) and his long lost love (Alice Krige). As this one is written, I think it would actually play better on the stage - it feels stagey rather than filmic. But in 1990 it was likely the best of its kind on television. The focus of this story is that on the lost lovers and their individual plights rather than the former Nazi himself, and that is refreshing. The performances of all the cast help this one rise above the average.