Varian's War
| Varian's War | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Lionel Chetwynd |
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| Written by | Lionel Chetwynd |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Neil Smolar |
| Cinematography | Daniel Jobin |
| Edited by | Denis Papillon |
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Release date
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Running time
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121 minutes |
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| Language | English |
Varian's War (aka Varian's War: The Forgotten Hero) is a 2001 joint Canadian/United Kingdom film made-for-television drama. The film was written and directed by Lionel Chetwynd, based on the life and wartime exploits of Varian Fry who saved more than 2,000 Jewish artists from occupied France. Varian's War stars William Hurt, heading an all-star ensemble cast of Julia Ormond, Matt Craven, Maury Chaykin, Alan Arkin and Lynn Redgrave.
While in Berlin during Kristallnacht in 1938, journalist Varian Fry (William Hurt) witnessed the Nazi's brutal treatment of Jews. He was physically sick and felt helpless to help the victims that the brown-shirted thugs had clubbed to the ground. The experience left him with a resolve to do something to help the Jews.
Back in the United States, Fry begins to canvass his influential friends and acquaintances, only to find indifference and even, anti-semitism. Learning that the Nazis have targeted artists and intelligentsia, he approaches the State Department with a plan and a few names including artist Marc Chagall (Joel Miller), scrawled on a list. When the State Department tries to block his plans to head back to Europe, Fry finds an ally in First lady Eleanor Roosevelt (Sheena Larkin) who intervenes on his behalf.
In 1940, heading for Marseille in Nazi-occupied Vichy France, where he knows that Jewish artists have taken refuge, Fry arrives with money to bribe officials. Chagall is safely housed by Vice Consul Harry Bingham (Ted Whittall), a U.S. consulate official, but like many other expatriates, Chagall believes he is safe in France. Word spreads quickly in Marseille that an American will help Jews to escape Vichy France. In setting up an office out of his hotel room, Fry encounters Miriam Davenport (Julia Ormond) who helps him screen the numerous refugees that begin lining up at his hotel.
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Wikipedia