Conspiracy (HBO/BBC).

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by James S, Nov 13, 2016.

  1. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Conspiracy (TV Movie 2001) - IMDb

    I have no idea how many times I have watched and enjoyed this movie , it is simply excellent.
    The film was shot on location at and in the "Wansee House" just outside Berlin.(2001), the csat is simply amazing - shot around the "conference table", no back ground music - the movie stands or falls on the acting ,dialogue and interaction between the characters/ actors.

    The film is based on the Wansee conference which Heydrich called to assert his authority and governace on the implementaion of "the Final Soultion to the jewish Question".
    Naturally the notes of the conderence are quite sterile and no record remains of the background conversations , comments and debate - anyone who has ever attended a "meeting" will recognise this from minutes they have recieved.

    This is a really great movie to watch and it does make you think , Branagh has the central role of Heydrich which he carries off very well - his ability to dominate, control , using various methods to get what he wants from individuals.
    The supporting cast is equally good made up of good solid British actors , so well written - the various conflicts between departments - the sychophants, the reality of what has been done to date and what was now being proposed is slowly released, the utter lack of morality and disregard for life is hard to overlook.
    How few of these men who were held to account for what was endorsed and what came from this meeting is outlined just before the end credits, these men were "middle management" - the idea that the "Final Solution" came from this meeting is a myth - the decisions had already been made they were there to be called into line and to ensure their departments and offices would follow Heydrich's direction without issue.

    Well worth a look.

     
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  2. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    I watched this when it was first broadcast and found it chilling to see the offhand way the Final Solution was organised as you start to realise the implications of their discussion. In some ways it was more horrific than any reels of graphic concentration camp film.
     
  3. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    Brilliant on so many levels. Accounts state how Heydrich was personally charming (even if he looked like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier) yet was so evil. Branagh captured the charm with the iron so very well - when he turns on the officials you feel real dread. And despite the edifice of Nazi efficiency (which has been debunked by the likes of Sir Ian Kershaw; more obsessively bureaucratic than really efficient) -there had to be one who kept the minutes in blatant disregard of instructions. (Thank goodness, for history, that he did, though). What's that phrase? The banality of evil. This film nails it. .
     
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  4. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    The Wansee Conference (film) - Google Search

    There is an earlier version of the same events, made I think originally by/for German TV...



    Die Wannseekonferenz, 1984. German with English subs.

    A real time recreation of the 1942 Wannsee Conference, in which leading SS and Nazi Party officials led by SS-General Reinhard Heydrich gathered to discuss the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question".

    Director: Heinz Schirk
    Writer: Paul Mommertz
    Stars: Dietrich Mattausch, Gerd Böckmann
    and Friedrich G. Beckhaus


    I actually remember watching the above German version first. So I think it was at some point (also, perhaps originally) on UK television. I've seen Conspiracy a few times too, and I guess it has tended to eclipse the German version now?

    It's not snowy like the Branagh version and there are lots of other (large and small) differences too, but other bits are pretty much word for word the same, so I assume those bits, particularly, are taken closely from the minutes.

    Perhaps what one left out for time the other managed to put in.

    Wannsee Conference - Wikipedia
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2016
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  5. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Member

    I have seen the film and read several accounts of the Wannsee Conference. I agree that Branagh made a chilling Heydrich. It's frightening to know that beneath Heydrich's cool exterior there was a raging desire to cleanse the Reich of all that he considered "undesirable". Besides being anti-Semitic, he harbored a disdain for anyone who was different. The film does a great job of showing that. Hannah Arendt coined the phrase "the banality of evil" and the film is indicative of that.
     
  6. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Orderly slips and breaks dishes - head of catering staff grimices, knowing what will not follow.
    Eichmann "Do we have enough" (Silently threatening).
    Catering head " I am sure we have a sizable inventory"
    Eichmann " You are sure or you know"
    "I know".
    Eichmann " Itemise the bill in a sperate account to me, he pays and keep him where I do not see him......... "

    Luther , leaning forward expecting praise "I think I heard some of what I recommended in what you have just said" ...weak smile.
    Heydrich , hardly looking at Luther replies curtly killing the exchange "I think not".
     
  7. Gibbo

    Gibbo Senior Member

    Die Wannseekonferenz has been shown at least twice by the BBC. It was on either BBC2 or BBC4 immediately after the first British showing of Conspiracy on BBC1, which was the second time that I had seen it.
     
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  8. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    From a report, Heydrich says:
    "Any final remnant that survives will doubtless consist of the elements most capable of resistance. They must be dealt with appropriately, since, representing the fruit of natural selection, they are to be regarded as the core of a new Jewish revival.”
    TG what happened was a few did survive, and there was a revival.
    Shows how they were brainwashed into the theories of racial superiority and inferiority. And Darwinism.
     

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