The Debt (I) (2010)

1965, three Mossad agents cross into East Berlin to apprehend a notorious Nazi war criminal. Thirty years later, the secrets the agents share come back to haunt them.

Director:

John Madden

Writers:

Matthew Vaughn (screenplay), Jane Goldman (screenplay),

Stars:

Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Ciarán Hinds

8 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Helen Mirren	...	Rachel Singer (Tel Aviv 1997)
Tom Wilkinson	...	Stephan Gold (Tel Aviv 1997)
Ciarán Hinds	...	David Peretz (Tel Aviv 1997)
Romi Aboulafia	...	Sarah Gold (Tel Aviv 1997)
Tomer Ben David	...	Sarah's Husband (Tel Aviv 1997)
Ohev Ben David	...	Sarah's Son (Tel Aviv 1997)
Jonathan Uziel	...	Mossad Agent (Tel Aviv 1997)
Elana Kivity Davenport	...	Publisher (Tel Aviv 1997)
Eli Zohar	...	Stephan's Driver (Tel Aviv 1997)
Irén Bordán	...	Seminar Moderator (Tel Aviv 1997)
Jessica Chastain	...	Young Rachel (Berlin 1965)
Marton Csokas	...	Young Stephan (Berlin 1965)
Sam Worthington	...	Young David (Berlin 1965)
Jesper Christensen	...	Doktor Bernhardt / Dieter Vogel (Berlin 1965)
Brigitte Kren	...	Frau Bernhardt / Nurse (Berlin 1965)

Storyline

The espionage thriller begins in 1997, as shocking news reaches retired Mossad secret agents Rachel (Helen Mirren) and Stefan (Tom Wilkinson) about their former colleague David (Ciarán Hinds). All three have been venerated for decades by their country because of the mission that they undertook back in 1965, when the trio (portrayed, respectively, by Jessica Chastain, Marton Csokas, and Sam Worthington) tracked down Nazi war criminal Vogel (Jesper Christensen) in East Berlin. At great risk, and at considerable personal cost, the team's mission was accomplished - or was it? The suspense builds in and across two different time periods, with startling action and surprising revelations.

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Plot Keywords:

mossad | secret | nazi war criminal | secret agent | nazi hunter | 

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Taglines:

Every secret comes with a price

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA UK Hungary

Language:

English German Russian

Release Date:

31 August 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al filo de la mentira

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$9,949,109 (USA) (2 September 2011)

Gross:

$31,146,570 (USA) (28 October 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, Marv Films, Pioneer Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The plane seen landing in the background during the agents' arrival scene at the beginning of the movie is an Antonov An-26 of the Hungarian Air Force with fake Israeli markings.

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Goofs

In the mental hospital Rachel writes a note from right to left (presumably in Hebrew). The journalist reads the note from left to right.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Young Stephan: Breathe.

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Connections

Referenced in Mall Ratz XXX (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Leila"
Written by Dol Dauber, Beda (Fritz Löhner-Beda)
Performed by Bruno Majcherek
Courtesy of Marlstone Music

User Reviews

Go See This Film...Now

I went to The Debt because I had seen the trailers ages ago and was instantly telling myself I wanted to see this film. Not to be reminded about one of the ugliest of human stains in world history; not because I wanted to think about images in a WWII documentary I happened to watch unattended at an adult party when I was seven years old and will never forget (but, I try); not because I wanted something to feel bad about.

I went because of the reviews, the trailer, and Helen Mirren, and pretty much the entire ensemble of brilliant actors. It was a bit slow starting according to my companion, and some of the initial flashbacks left one a little confused, and then once the story started when the Mossad agents were in Germany to track down and bring the "Surgeon of Birkenau" to trial, I was so glad it was a reminder film. That no one will ever fully understand what drives a nation and group like the Mossad to do what they do. This made me understand a little bit more.

This was a very tragic, thoughtful film with the embodiment of the mortal coil and well worth watching and thinking about. Helen Mirren and Jessica Chastain as the young Rachel were so good. Give Mirren another Oscar already. And, the men, including the "Surgeon" who I wanted to kill myself, were all so very good in this.

I don't agree the film lagged at the end. In fact, it left you wondering, questioning, the twist was unexpected, and I am glad, despite the lingering tears in my eyes as I write this, that I saw it. My fellow cinematic partner agreed as well. Go see this film. You won't forget it. And, we really shouldn't ever forget it.