The Eichmann Show (2015)

Dramatisation of the team hoping to televise the trial of Adolf Eichmann, an infamous Nazi responsible for the deaths of millions of Jews. It focuses on Leo Hurwitz, a documentary film-maker and Milton Fruchtman, a producer.

Director:

Paul Andrew Williams

Writer:

Simon Block

Stars:

Martin Freeman, Anthony LaPaglia, Rebecca Front

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Freeman	...	Milton Fruchtman
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Leo Hurwitz
Rebecca Front	...	Mrs. Landau
Andy Nyman	...	David Landor
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Yaakov Jonilowicz
Ben Addis	...	Ron Huntsman
Caroline Bartleet	...	Judy Gold
Ed Birch	...	Millek Knebel
Dylan Edwards	...	Roy Sedwell
Nathaniel Gleed	...	Tommy Hurwitz
Ben Lloyd-Hughes	...	Alan Rosenthal
Vaidotas Martinaitis	...	Adolf Eichmann
Zora Bishop	...	Eva Fruchtman
Nell Mooney	...	Female Journalist
Solomon Mousley	...	Perry Rudolph

Storyline

In 1961 former Nazi Adolf Eichmann is captured by Jewish agents and put on trial. American television producer Milton Fruchtman fervently believes that the trial with its witness accounts of Nazi atrocities should be televised to show the world the evils of the Holocaust and to combat any resurgence of Nazism and joins forces with black-listed director Leo Hurwitz. Despite death threats, reluctance to cooperate from several networks and even resistance from the Israeli prime minister David Ben-Gurion, who fears a 'show trial', the pair persist and move their cameras into the court-room. Edited daily and shown in some three dozen countries the 'Eichmann Show' becomes the first ever global television documentary.

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Plot Keywords:

trial | adolf eichmann | court room | genocide | shoah | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC Listing Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2015 (UK)

Also Known As:

Adolf Eichmannin oikeudenkäynti

Filming Locations:

Lithuania

Company Credits

Production Co:

Feelgood Fiction,British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),Vistaar Religare Film Fund

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Unites two actors who played dangerous henchmen from John Grisham's film adaptations: Anthony LaPaglia in The Client (1994) and Nicholas Woodeson in The Pelican Brief (1993).

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Goofs

(at around 1h) An ambulance is visible with the Hebrew writing upside down.

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Quotes

Leo Hurwitz: I don't believe in monsters. But I do believe that men are responsible for monstrous deeds.

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Connections

Referenced in Filmbarátok Podcast: Episode #1.81 (2015)

User Reviews

Martin Freeman was miscast

Although this is an excellent drama in every respect other than the casting of Martin Freeman who has neither the gravitas or personality in this part to be convincing. A very good actor but should confirm himself to lighter roles. This spoiled an otherwise very well scripted and directed film. The original footage was harrowing in spite of it being seen many times before it never ceases to shock and repulse, this made Martin Freeman's casting all the more baffling. How and why did the director and casting director ever come to an agreement on this, I could name at least four actors that would have been far better choices, particularly as the LaPaglia part was absolutely spot on. The Landau character was also perfect and if it had been made for the cinema and not just TV would reap many awards.