I enjoyed this film tremendously last night .... part of a "Maximillian Schell" theme night on Turner Classic.
I would echo the comments regarding the acting (esp. Voight) directing, sets, atmosphere, etc. I was really absorbed into the world of the movie, and the subject matter really makes you think.
I have not read the book so I am not familiar with how closely the movie follows the book. That said, I have a few nitpicks with the plot of the movie ...(SPOILER ALERT!)
1) Peter Miller seems like a bright guy. Why does he make a STUPID decision to blow his cover and call Sigi? It's not as though he was the type of boyfriend who felt the need to check in every couple of hours ... Clearly, he was secure enough and strong willed enough to go through with his undercover work without needing to call.
2) Here's the big problem. It's only because of this out-of-character, stupid mistake, that he discovers the Odessa File. If he had not called Sigi, the assassin would not have been directed to the print shop. Peter would have gone there Monday at 10 am and gotten his forged papers, and been sent on his way (and off would go our plot, meandering away to nowhere). Instead, he becomes suspicious about the sudden change in schedule, cautious about approaching the shop, climbs in the window and gets the info on the file from Frau Wenzer, kills the assassin, etc.
3) Once he had the file, why didn't he just go to the Komet and write an article? Seems to me a public expose would be just as good a method of getting revenge against Roschmann as risking life and limb to confront him face-to-face.
In my opinion, an entertaining movie, but I hesitate to put it in the GREAT category, because of the above non-sensical plot points.
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bfineprint
20 years ago
I, too, found this movie via Turner Classic Movies.
I believe that this movie led to Voight's friendship with the Jewish community in L.A., especially the Hillel organization at UCLA where he always helped to raise funds. I don't know this for a fact, but figured it must have had some effect.
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abcama
19 years ago
SPOILERS AHEAD!
1) Peter Miller seems like a bright guy. Why does he make a STUPID decision to blow his cover and call Sigi? It's not as though he was the type of boyfriend who felt the need to check in every couple of hours ... Clearly, he was secure enough and strong willed enough to go through with his undercover work without needing to call.
I don't really understand why he felt like calling her at that moment in time either. You'd think that past expiriences would teach him to think before he does things. But as self assured as he was, he was taking the biggest risk he had taken thus far. I'm guessing that the writer wanted to portray Peter as being scared to the point of screwing up, which makes the rest of the plot work out.
3) Once he had the file, why didn't he just go to the Komet and write an article? Seems to me a public expose would be just as good a method of getting revenge against Roschmann as risking life and limb to confront him face-to-face.
I think that by then he had figured out that Roschmann had killed his father, so now his vendetta was personal. He probably wanted answers and was out for blood.
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flit-2
18 years ago
1. He hadn't seen her in some time, and he probably didn't think the enemy had a mole in his own house...
2. The plan was for him to infiltrate ODESSA and find out the info. The blow in cover actually helped him along...
3. I doubt the Komet would have printed the story, what with all the ODESSA people in high places. Plus, he left arrangements for the Jews to get the file in case of his death...
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