This is a mini-series is focused on holocaust survivors and their children living in a kibbutz in Israel circa 1970, and the Israeli Mossad's efforts to capture the Nazi doctor Mengele, who was then living in South America.
The plot is interesting and the pace IMO is right - I was never bored. The story weaves together different aspects of the characters' world in a natural and balanced way, leading the viewer to develop empathy towards the main characters, and to feel for them. The acting too is quite good, thought sometimes inconsistant (even for the same actors between scenes). Oliver Masucci - a very good actor - obviously doesn't speak Hebrew and while in most scenes he still gives a stellar performance, at times that is quite apparent in how he delivers the lines.
Before I continue I should mention that I'd spent some time back in the day in a kibbutz in Israel established by holocaust survivors, and some of the issues I refer to may not in the least affect how someone not familiar with the setting would experience this series, as they have little to do with enterntainment value, but with historical accuracy.
A lot of the themes depicted are based on historical events - e.g. Israeli Nazi-hunters and Mossad related activity, survivors' determined reluctance to talk with anyone about their experiences during the holocaust, the general atmosphere in the Kibbutzim at the time, and even the prevelance of extramarital affairs in such communities ;-) - all are quite true.
My main issue with this series is that the production was decidedly lazy about details that stand out to anyone familiar with the setting. For one, no holocaust survivor that I've ever come across spoke perfect Hebrew with an Israeli accent, but with the heavy European accents of their countries of origin and usually peppered with mistakes, yet here miraculously holocaust survivors speak as born-and-bread Israelis. And it's not just the language; the behavior, the nature of their familial relationships - all were sort of off. Most Kibbutz members that were holocaust survivors were tough and pretty cold, so they often struggled to form a connection and express warmth in their relationships with their children who grew up in kibbutz childrens' houses (with kids of their age group rather than in the family home). Also, syblings raised in such circumstances were rarely that close - they tended to be surrounded by - and closer to - the kids they grew up with. Should I even mention that women in the kibbutz back then were not allowed to wear makeup while this female protagonist is perfectly covered in makeup throughout? Or that her bra that makes a brief appearance is obviously a 21st century garment?
Had at least most of the above mentioned issues given attention to and corrected this could have been an excellent mini-series. As it is, it's interesting and entertaining, but not great.
