Wallenberg, le héros disparu

The story itself is by now well-known, but at the time of this production, very few holocaust stories had been filmed. There are some decent scenarios but overall the acting, dialogue and relationships stretch believability. Not a great version of this important event, since a few documentaries have come out since, but being a fan of the lovely Richard Chamberlain, I enjoy seeing him in anything, no matter how mediocre or bland. The acting reminded me of early 40-50s type movies and although the period details are usually pretty authentic (buildings, cars, costumes), the general feel of this mini-series is 'amateurish' and a bit lazy. Still, an ok way to spend some time and learn a few things about this tragic episode of WW2.

Maybe little bit romanced but real story. I know because my mother was saved by him (by giving her a Swedish passport) and my grand-uncle (brother of my grand-father) worked with him. He worked in very difficult conditions and did not hesitate to put his life in danger in order to save Jews.

In Haifa, where he worked for a while in a bank before returning to Sweden and subsequently being assigned to Hungary, his house (on Arlozoroff street 17) has a commemorative sign. In Hungary he has only a Tiny street named after him.

The Nazis arrived only towards the end of war. The Hungarians were the German ally but were less aggressive towards the Jews as the Germans. The Germans, knowing they will soon lose the war, went to Hungary to at least finish the extermination, or so they thought, especially Eichmann (later found by Israel to live in South America, kidnapped, and brought to Israel for trial). The German were awfully efficient at it, as they are.

This is an excellent movie about one of the finest heroes of the 20th century. An attractive young scion from an old Swedish banking family reaches the point where he can no longer tolerate what he sees happening to Jews in Europe during WW2, and decides he has to do something about it. Conferring with a senior Diplomat, he gets himself some minor position in the Diplomatic Corp. and immediately begins to use that position to do something about it. What he does, and how he does it, is so simple, yet so amazing, and most of all, surprising, even shockingly successful.

Totally Politically Incorrect. Can we expect Hollywood, who dissed "The Passion", utterly, to appreciate this piece of work, either, and help market it? I think the fact that others have found this work so unavailable, from a proved actor of the caliber of Richard Chamberlain speaks volumes. This miniseries made many powerful enemies in its day. Sometimes if you bombard the classic movie channels with requests for an "oldie", they will eventually play it, perhaps a year later.

I have written to NBC several times, asking if this series will be aired again, and to this date have not had a response. Can anyone tell me how I can get a copy of this movie? This was one of the greatest mini series that has ever been on TV. Richard Chamberlain did a fantastic job, it could not have been done better by anyone else. This happened in my era and is very heart warming. I have just about exhausted all avenues in trying to locate a copy of this movie. If anyone can help it would be appreciated. I would think that the way the world is today, you think that this would be the time to show the series again. It would be better then the stuff that they are showing on TV today.

My hommage to Richard Chamberlain continues.

Chamberlain plays the eponymous real-life hero, who disappeared in 1947. No one is sure when he died.

The film shows Wallenberg's tireless work to save Jews while holding the position of Sweden's special envoy in Budapest between July and December 1944. The Nazis called it "turning Jews into Swedes" because he issued "protective passports" that identified the carrier as a Swedish subject. He housed Jews in rented buildings.

The movie has a quasi romance between Wallenberg and Baroness Elisabeth Kemeny (Alice Krige) which was probably false. However, she believed in Wallenberg's work and was instrumental in encouraging her husband, the Hungarian minister for Foreign Affairs to have travel passes honored when the Germans declared them invalid.

Any film showing the plight of the Jews is harrowing and tragic. This is no different, with dialogue from Eichmann (Kenneth Koley) and others showing their contempt and inhumanity.

In Chamberlain's earnest portrayal, he exhibits no understanding of such cruelty, and his attempts to reason with the Germans leave him baffled. They think nothing of exterminating Jews, even young children.

Sadly I was reminded of today, when some people are lumped together in one group and no longer thought of as human beings. What emerged for me was the despair that we've learned nothing.

My only problem was all the accents. When your in a foreign country, you don't walk around speaking English with a foreign accent. You speak your own language. Though this was set in different places, Wallenberg understood other languages, and would have been speaking in them. Accents are not necessary. Otherwise, Romeo and Juliet would be speaking with Italian accents.

A compelling, thought-provoking film, with a strong performance by Chamberlain as a righteous among nations.