A Film Unfinished

Name: A Film Unfinished
Genre: Drama, History, Documentary
Released: August 18, 2010
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 88
Cast: Alexander Beyer, Rüdiger Vogler

2010

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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A Film Unfinished

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Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope Pictures | Release Date: August 18, 2010 | Unrated

Starring: Alexander Beyer, Rüdiger Vogler

Summary: Yael Hersonski's powerful documentary achieves a remarkable feat through its penetrating look at another film-the now-infamous Nazi-produced film about the Warsaw Ghetto. Discovered after the war, the unfinished work, with no soundtrack, quickly became a resource for historians seeking an authentic record, despite its elaborateYael Hersonski's powerful documentary achieves a remarkable feat through its penetrating look at another film-the now-infamous Nazi-produced film about the Warsaw Ghetto. Discovered after the war, the unfinished work, with no soundtrack, quickly became a resource for historians seeking an authentic record, despite its elaborate propagandistic construction. The later discovery of a long-missing reel complicated earlier readings, showing the manipulations of camera crews in these "everyday" scenes. Well-heeled Jews attending elegant dinners and theatricals (while callously stepping over the dead bodies of compatriots) now appeared as unwilling, but complicit, actors, alternately fearful and in denial of their looming fate.… Expand

Director: Yael Hersonski

Genre(s): Drama, History, Documentary

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 88 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ty Burr

It's the only film that exists of the Ghetto, and it's both revelatory and profoundly suspect. Read full review

100

Steven Rea

A profoundly unnerving historical document. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

The first Holocaust movie that's actually about another Holocaust movie, and in some peculiar way it brings us closer to the terror and tragedy of the original event. Read full review

Movieline Michelle Orange

The imperatives of history are manifold, and this film is among the most urgent of them. You cannot look, and you must look: This happened. They were human beings. All of them. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Extremely unsettling and thought- provoking. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

A kind of historical detective story made up of haunting montages, including a theater performance featuring a heartbroken musician that's absolutely chilling. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Mark Keizer

Just when we thought there were no new twists to the story of the Warsaw Ghetto comes this documentary: focused, sorrowful and revelatory. Read full review

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User Reviews

Winstonoboogie

Dec 12, 2010

Poetic as it is probing, illuminating as it is moving, this astonishing Holocaust documentary uses newly found archive footage to show the day-to-day horror, strife, and heroism among the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. And because the footage was intended as the centerpiecePoetic as it is probing, illuminating as it is moving, this astonishing Holocaust documentary uses newly found archive footage to show the day-to-day horror, strife, and heroism among the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. And because the footage was intended as the centerpiece of a never-completed Nazi propaganda 'documentary,' it also shows with damning clarity the filmmakers' original evil intention to contrast the decadent lives of luxury supposedly lived by a handful of affluent Jews (all in ludicrously staged fictional footage) with the desperate and impoverished lives of their fellow citizens. Adding to the film's overwhelming power are the faces and words of survivors as they watch this document of a long-ago but never forgotten part of their lives; long-lost family, friends, and neighbors captured forever on film. Truly extraordinary.… Expand

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filmtrashreview

Jul 3, 2011

What is advertised as a shocking tail of a propaganda film is more or less a telling of the day to day life at the Warsaw Ghetto. I just wish the filmmakers understood how golden the stories and relationships of the survivors to the ghetto were. At times it feels as though the documentary isWhat is advertised as a shocking tail of a propaganda film is more or less a telling of the day to day life at the Warsaw Ghetto. I just wish the filmmakers understood how golden the stories and relationships of the survivors to the ghetto were. At times it feels as though the documentary is trying to be more of a conspiracy piece, placing twists and turns that are way to knowledgeable to the viewer to gain the gasps that they are working for.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MrBBaggins

Sep 24, 2010

Um... I did not get a good vibe out of James Steal.

How can anyone with any kind of intelligence disbelieve the voluminous evidence regarding the biggest nightmare in human history? Some people's stupidity is awe-inspiring.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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