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Average customer rating:

An enlightening classic
When one man made a difference
A courageous man,but a dull depiction of his acts.
I've seen better...
An ordinary man, an extraordinary story

Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg
Starring: Stellan Skarsgård , Katharina Thalbach , Károly Eperjes , Miklós Székely B. , and Erland Josephson
Director: Kjell Grede
Manufacturer: First Run Features
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006IUHK
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Customer Reviews:

An enlightening classic.......2007-06-08

Raoul Wallenberg is a prototypical hero of our times. His extraordinary expression of altruism immediately preceeds the activist of our post-modern era, and stands as a shining example. He was unquestionably one of the greatest men of his day, and living proof that activism is perhaps the highest form of spiritual activity to which one can aspire in the contemporary world. Perhaps there is another film about Raoul Wallenberg. If so, I am not aware of it, and that there is such a fine film about this relatively little known giant (especially for younger generations and many non-Europeans)in itself gives this film value.
Further, the film is well-acted, well-made. There are a number aspects that I particularly like. The film works well within a limited budget. The cinematography (the shooting, editing, etc.) is excellent. The film is quite staged - much in the tradition of the French Existentialist Theatre of Beckett, Artaud, Jarre, and much against the realist trend which really takes off in the 1970's in the wake of Hitchcock, Bresson, Peckinpaw, and many others. Waiting for Eichmann feels like Waiting for Godot. The script has this theatrical feel, as well. The film starts very slowly and builds through a series of powerful siloquies and dialogs. As contrarian as the whole production is in this sense, it works quite well within the context which was highly existential. The film is thus more thought provoking than sensationally provocative, which seems to have been lost on a number of reviewers. The Absurdity plays as much a role in the turning of events as the obvious Brutality, with which we are all unfortunately familiar.
In my opinion, the two most affecting scenes: A little boy wearing the Star of David emerges from hiding and is held at gunpoint by a huge battalion of Nazis. The climax where Wallenberg confronts the SS officer in charge of the annihilation of tens of thousands, and stops him from fulfilling his orders by bringing him face to face with his own humanity, as they share an umbrella in the rain. Thus, the secret of successful non-violent activism is revealed - a great scene, worth far, far more than the pittance the film is selling for these days.

When one man made a difference.......2007-05-08

Raoul Wallenberg is one of the righteous Gentiles, who was willing to risk everything for the sake of standing up to Nazi atrocities. What makes his story truly remarkable is the fact that he was just an ordinary person, not even a very high ranking officer in the Swedish diplomatic corps, but who used whatever leverage he had to provide safe passage to persecuted Jews in WWII Hungary. At the beginning of the movie, we see how the Jews view him as an invincible saviour, but this later changes as they come to realise the reality of the situation, that it is by his pure force of will and character that he does what he does to save them. It is a hard movie to watch as we see Wallenberg continually come up against one obstacle after another in trying to save as many Jews as possible. On the other hand, we witness the glee with which the Hungarian Arrow Cross execute hapless Jews, men, women and even children. The Hungarian civilian population is also depicted as willing participants in the atrocities committed against the Jews, egging on the execution squad as they mow down innocents. Stellan Skarskard's portrayal of Wallenberg was somber and effective, his pain & frustration at not being able to do more is clearly evident throughout the film. Yes, there are better adaptations out there, even better Holocaust movies, but this one is worth watching too. It helps us understand better the man that was Raoul Wallenberg, a hero of the Holocaust who survives the Nazis, only to fall victim to Stalin's regime.

A courageous man,but a dull depiction of his acts........2007-01-14

I am extremely interested in heroic tales of the Holocaust Era.Though this film is good from the informational aspect, it is just plain dull viewing.The life of Wallenberg would best be suited to more skillful hands than those who directed and produced this one.Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgaard (THE OX) never comes to life at any time as the defiant diplomat Raoul Wallenberg.An earlier made-for-TV version of WALLENBERG was far superior in all ways.Too bad it has never been released to tape to my knowledge.
For those interested in the Hungarian-Jewish slaughter of WW2,I would recommend MUSIC BOX or SUNSHINE.Though these films do not specifically address the 65,000 Jews of the Budapest ghetto,THESE films are at least engrossing and DO communicate the atrocities to some degree that occured in Hungary in a much more engaging and compelling way for the screen.

I've seen better..........2006-08-10

Yea, I would say so, when compared to Schindler list. Schindler List is better. Sometimes it seems, that the movie is loosing the action and is "standing" at one same point without any action progress. It seems that the author didn't know what to do next, so the action stills so you get bored soon. The good feature is the multilanguage version of the movie and there are of course several very strong scenes, but over all I would recomend this movie only to those, who are a really great fans to WW2 history & events. Anyway buy Schindler List or, if you want to see any documentary, so very strong movie is the Strangers of Arms.

An ordinary man, an extraordinary story.......2006-06-13

Before us appear the last months of World War II in Budapest, presenting the monumental role of Raoul Wallenberg in saving the city's Jews with remarkable success. The story of Wallenberg and his tireless efforts is depicted with honest reality, conveying how selflessly he worked to save those who could not save themselves. By others, he was seen as a man of mediocrity adding nothing to the fame of his notable Swedish family of industry and finance. His unremarkable life caused many to doubt his suitability to rescue Jews in Central Europe. And yet, he went on to prove his doubters very wrong exhibiting anything but mediocrity as he devoted all his time, energy and resources to rescuing Jews in Budapest from trains that would have led to certain death. The film depicts his resourcefulness at devising new plans when previous methods of rescue no longer succeed. One cannot but be amazed at the gall he exhibited in approaching the Nazi general in command to avert the annihilation of the Jewish ghetto of Budapest, thereby saving 65,000 lives in addition to the some 35,000 lives he protected in safe houses disguised as Swedish government buildings. If these figures are accurate, Wallenberg is responsible for the saving of most of the Jews of Budapest who survived the war. Over and over, we see how he forwent his own comfort and needs in order to save one more life or make one more person's life a little easier. He never thought twice of putting his own life in danger to save another's. How tragic then his own disappearance at the close of the war, when the perceived danger had passed. He was taken by the Russians under the pretext of meeting with the newly established Hungarian government heads only to be taken to Russia never to be heard from again. While we may never know the fate of this most extraordinary hero, we have much to learn from his example of selfless love for one's neighbor. He made the ultimate sacrifice for humanity giving up his freedom and in all likelihood his life. This film offers a very tasteful recounting of his heroic efforts during the war and being filmed in Swedish, Hungarian and German adds to its authenticity. I would highly recommend this film to anyone wishing to learn about Raoul Wallenberg and the role he played in saving Budapest's Jews during World War II.

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