PBS usually always makes some fine documentary films, This one is no exception. This film covers the major contribution that people fleeing Nazi Germany made to Hollywood during the 1930's and 1940's and beyond. The film made a lot of excellent choices of film material to be included and wrote an excellent narration script. Sigourney Weaver is an excellent choice to do the narration.
Very often this type of production slips under the radar of the public and this one has a lot of information which needed to be documented. I was amazed at some of the obvious home movie material that was chosen to get into this one. It was chosen very well.
The focus on the people who had to flee Germany is told with care and carefully. This film gives one a whole new aspect of viewing the movie Casablanca and the irony that went into the casting of the film. The focus here on everyone in the film without focus on Bogart and Bergman gave me a perspective I never had before.
To Be Or Not To Be is a film of growing reputation in recent years. This movie is a great choice to talk about this era too. Surprising, the films connected to this subject range a wide array of movies that perfectly illustrate the Nazi's loss by literally forcing these creative people to leave and come to Hollywood to contribute.
The names from Fritz Lang, to Peter Lorre, to Billy Wilder, and the ones of lesser fame were major contributors to a lot of quality films in Hollywood history from this era.
This film stands on it's own on how an era of desperation produced many people who inspired some of the greatest work in Hollywood during a time it was much needed.
An overlooked film from this era does need a documentary of it's own. Unfortunately that amazing film was a one man operation, so without him, no proper documentary can be done.
I would state though that viewing that movie would complement viewing this one as the film is a very fitting complement for To Be Or Not To Be, and predates and possibly inspired it.
That film? The Great Dictator.
While that movie would not make this documentary better, it deserves a special place in the history of films all it's own.
Very often this type of production slips under the radar of the public and this one has a lot of information which needed to be documented. I was amazed at some of the obvious home movie material that was chosen to get into this one. It was chosen very well.
The focus on the people who had to flee Germany is told with care and carefully. This film gives one a whole new aspect of viewing the movie Casablanca and the irony that went into the casting of the film. The focus here on everyone in the film without focus on Bogart and Bergman gave me a perspective I never had before.
To Be Or Not To Be is a film of growing reputation in recent years. This movie is a great choice to talk about this era too. Surprising, the films connected to this subject range a wide array of movies that perfectly illustrate the Nazi's loss by literally forcing these creative people to leave and come to Hollywood to contribute.
The names from Fritz Lang, to Peter Lorre, to Billy Wilder, and the ones of lesser fame were major contributors to a lot of quality films in Hollywood history from this era.
This film stands on it's own on how an era of desperation produced many people who inspired some of the greatest work in Hollywood during a time it was much needed.
An overlooked film from this era does need a documentary of it's own. Unfortunately that amazing film was a one man operation, so without him, no proper documentary can be done.
I would state though that viewing that movie would complement viewing this one as the film is a very fitting complement for To Be Or Not To Be, and predates and possibly inspired it.
That film? The Great Dictator.
While that movie would not make this documentary better, it deserves a special place in the history of films all it's own.