Christabel

Christabel's true story needed to be told. Not just because she was the wife of a man involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler, but because it shows the all-too-ignored German life during wartime. It shows the humanity and the doubts felt by many Germans, keeping away from the stereotypes so prevalent in many films about the era. The actors playing Germans speak in broad English accents, and this is a brilliant device, because they make the Germans identifiable characters. There is one scene when an older German man, in Nazi uniform, teaches Christabel's children how to salute Hitler. Because the German does it in English tones, you may be even more chilled. Elizabeth Hurley looks little like her current model self. Her acting attains everything the writers and director would've wanted, but without a brilliance. It was, it must be remembered, one of her first features. Overall, this is an important piece of work for the reality it gives. One of Hurley's best scenes is when she's sitting with an old German woman in the street just as the bombs start to fall. They cry together, and you may want to cry with them. This is an autobiographical film about good people put into extraordinary circumstances, how they thought, how they argued, and the choices they made. All through the piece you wonder whether you'd do the same things. 8/10

While many people may be drawn to this film because of Elizabeth Hurley, her performance may at first disappoint; her acting is shaky throughout most of the film, but near the end her character seems to truly come into bloom, and the last third of the film is rather enjoyable, with Hurley finally showing us that she is more than just a pretty face. If you're not moved, then maybe many things won't move you.

The book on which the drama is based goes against the standard stereotypes and explains how ordinary people could go along with Hitler in the early years. The woman says: "On January 30thm 1933, Hitler became Germany's Chancellor. I was in England at the time, and when I read of it in the newspapers I was rather pleased for my friend Hans. I took note that Hitler had only two other National Socialists with him in his Cabinet, and that he was well hemmed-in by such respectable figures as von Neurath and von Papen. Although I was glad therefore than Han was to get his chance, I was equally certain that a month or so would suffice to bring him speedy disillusionment, and that there would be, as usual, another round of musical chairs, another change of Government." (Ward River Press 1982, Page 22.) I was disgusted by the dramatisation, which shows no interest in what this eye-witness told and instead has all of the normal stereotypes.

I think it also avoided the inconvenient fact of widespread support for Hitler in Britain, including the Daily Mail.

This is a 1988 BBC TV Movie, and a rendition of 1930's Germany, the like of which I have never seen before.

Although brilliantly written by Dennis Potter our own late mother, (although not involved in The German resistance or with the Holocaust), could have written this and better based on her own incredible day to day wartime experiences.

The setting is simply outstanding. The attention to detail such as the trains, trams and even household items such as the coffee grinder are amazing.

There are several actual very similar parallels with events experienced by Mum, and even some identical dialogue in this movie.

Given our family connection to this era, I found myself spellbound and deeply moved by it tonight.

Never thought I could ever equate my Mum with Liz Hurley though LOL!

Unfortunately, there is no authorized version of this important docudrama available. The BBC has not seen fit to provide a high quality DVD to the general public.

I purchased both a DVD and a VHS version of the film from the Amazon sellers marketplace a few years ago. I realized later that they were both copied off the television (I assume). As of this writing (October 21, 2008), even these pirated versions seem to have disappeared.

I recommend that visitors contact the BBC and ask them to put this docudrama on DVD, if only for the 6-1/2 minute segment where Christabel meets an SS officer on a train. It is to my mind the most perfect marriage of cinematography, directing, script, and acting that has ever been produced. Andrew Wilde plays the SS officer, and he deserves an Oscar for his performance.