Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Billy Wonka (A) on April 08, 2017 at 17:26:20

Another lushly produced WW2/Holocaust drama that takes place in Warsaw. The scene is set with Chastain and her loving husband running the city zoo just before the bombs fall. They are devoted to their animals and have contacts all over Europe. Bruhl arrives for a semi-formal get-together and guest since he is the top zoological expert in Germany. Shortly thereafter, the invasion begins and Bruhl returns in uniform to inform the Zabinski's of the changes that will be made for supporting the troops. Not only are the animals affected but their friends are starting to be rounded up and placed in the ghetto. At this point, Jan tells Antonina they must do what they can by smuggling Jews into the underground tunnels of the zoo until other places can be found. It is here that we begin to see all the small and large dramas associated with this kind of film. Based on true events this film is a thank you to the Zabinski's for all the risk and stress they endured to save the lives of hundreds.

The overall production values were very high but lacking in some areas. The actors were up to par but the problem is the subject matter overload. This is "yet another" look at the tribulations and heroes of the dark times in the 20th Century. These films do have a draw, though, and I would say the youngest person in the matinee was sixty.

History repeated through a different lens. Not bad but not terrific, either.



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