Denial (2016)

Acclaimed writer and historian Deborah E. Lipstadt must battle for historical truth to prove the Holocaust actually occurred when David Irving, a renowned denier, sues her for libel.

Director:

Mick Jackson

Writers:

Deborah Lipstadt (based on the book "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier" by) (as Deborah E. Lipstadt), David Hare (screenplay by)

Stars:

Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rachel Weisz	...	Deborah Lipstadt
Tom Wilkinson	...	Richard Rampton
Timothy Spall	...	David Irving
Andrew Scott	...	Anthony Julius
Jack Lowden	...	James Libson
Caren Pistorius	...	Laura Tyler
Alex Jennings	...	Sir Charles Gray
Harriet Walter	...	Vera Reich
Mark Gatiss	...	Prof. Robert Jan Van Pelt
John Sessions	...	Prof. Richard Evans
Nikki Amuka-Bird	...	Libby Holbrook
Pip Carter	...	Anthony Forbes-Watson
Jackie Clune	...	Heather Rogers
Will Attenborough	...	Thomas Skelton-Robinson
Max Befort	...	Nik Wachsman

Storyline

Based on the acclaimed book "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier," DENIAL recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt's (Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (Cannes Award winner Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system in Defamation, the burden of proof is on the accused, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred. Also starring two-time Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson, the film is directed by Emmy Award winner Mick Jackson ("Temple Grandin") and adapted for the screen by BAFTA and Academy Award nominated writer David Hare (THE READER). Producers are Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff.

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Plot Keywords:

anti semitism | courtroom | holocaust denial | holocaust | historian | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material and brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Twice in the movie Deborah Lipstadt is shown out jogging in London whereupon she stops to gaze upon the statue of "Boadicea and Her Daughters" on Westminster Pier. Boadicea was famous as a warrior queen who led an unsuccessful uprising against the Romans.

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Goofs

When Lipstadt is in her London hotel room, the shipping forecast is on the radio. We see the time on the clock as 12.42am. The shipping forecast does not air until 12.48am and is never early.

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Quotes

Deborah Lipstadt: Now, some people are saying that the result of this trial will threaten free speech. I don't accept that. I'm not attacking free speech. On the contrary, I've been defending it against someone who wanted to abuse it. Freedom of speech means you can say whatever you want. What you can't do is lie and expect not to be held accountable for it. Not all opinions are equal. And some things happened, just like we say they do. Slavery happened, the Black Death happened. The Earth is round, the ice caps...

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Connections

References Masterpiece Classic (1971)

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Soundtracks

Largo from Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58
Composed by Frédéric Chopin
Performed by Idil Biret
Licensed courtesy of Naxos Rights US Inc

User Reviews

A first-rate legal drama

I recommend this movie for people who, like me, make time for conspiracy theories despite loathing them. Outside of the interesting "intentionalist versus functionalist" debate, "revisionism" erroneously connotes academic legitimacy. The title is therefore apt.

All the dialogue pertaining to the defense's fascinating legal strategy went over very well with me. That and the much appreciated verbatim courtroom dialogue comprises most of the script. My positive impressions were reinforced by subsequent research into the trial. Denial delves into the sinister practice of Holocaust denialism at its best. I stretched my viewing over several hours and basked in the cerebral delight of it.

Rachel Weisz has been given flak for a performance that did not leave me in want of anything. Though I would not say it was an award-worthy performance, I chalk that up more to the formulaic production than any shortcoming of hers. Tom Wilkinson deserves mention as her character's barrister. Timothy Spall is terrific as David Irving!

This glowing review notwithstanding, Denial has the feel of excellent television, which is no way to compliment a feature film. The defense's true-to-life legal strategy necessarily undercut the film's emotive power. The scenes at Auschwitz itself are therefore especially vital to its success for me. Including London's Boadicea and Her Daughters was a nice touch.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English German Hebrew

Release Date:

21 October 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Denial

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$93,728, 2 October 2016

Gross USA:

$4,073,489

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,994,527

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Krasnoff / Foster Entertainment, Participant

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1