Films about Nazis always freak me out, even ones like this where there's a layer of cinematic tint. Dramatic set pieces, overly acted dialogue, rousing score. It feels wrong to dress up Nazi atrocities. Yet despite its heist movie aesthetic, this is worth watching, Oscar Isaac is good, in his Golden Age of Hollywood way. Ben Kingsley though, has played some terrifying characters, but is portrayal of Adolf Eichmann is, well it's disarming. There are much better films that cover this subject, but I'll never decry any that highlights what happened during the Holocaust, the aftermath and present day deniers and anti-semites. Films like this have their place, many people struggle with the realities of what happened and if this makes the truth more accessible, then so be it.
210 Reviews
On Trial: Otto Adolf Eichmann
lavatch7 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The bonus track of the DVD of "Operation Finale" provides incisive analysis of the goals of the filmmakers in re-filming the story of the nabbing Adolf Eichmann in Argentina, then sending him to Israel in what should be considered the trial of the century in 1961. Another film called "The Man Who Captured Eichmann" was produced in 1996 and featured Robert Duvall in the role of Eichmann. The more recent film with Ben Kingsley is a worthy companion piece to the earlier film version.
The bonus track opens with Kingsley describing "Operation Finale" as "the capturing of a monster and the honoring of the monster's victims." The film was successful in its painstaking recreation of the capture of Eichmann and the tricky process of flying him to Israel. The screenplay drew on the autobiographical "In My Hands" by Peter Malkin, who was one of the principal operatives involved in the apprehending of Eichmann and facilitating his secret transportation to Israel for trial. The most dynamic part of the film was the relationship of Malkin (Oscar Isaac) and Eichmann and the unanticipated empathy for the Nazi war criminal that developed on the part of Malkin, whose beloved sister was a victim of the Holocaust.
Another interesting character development in the film was in the figure of Sylvia Hermann, a young Jewish woman who starts a romantic relationship with Eichmann's son Klaus, then discovers that he is part of a Nazi cabal in Argentina. Hermann's efforts in blowing the whistle on the suspected residence of Klaus' father led the Mossad to Argentina. David Ben-Gurion, the national founder of the State of Israel and its first Prime Minister, took it from there to order to the apprehension of Eichmann in a top secret operation.
There is one problematic scene in the film that reveals Eichmann losing his cool for a moment and lapsing into the mode of "the monster" as he taunts Malkin and relishes in the memory of the death of Malkin's sister Fruma. The scene was out of character for the poised Eichmann. In the commentary track, the film's director described the scene as "conjectural," but he failed to grasp the implications of taking license with such an over-the-top interpretation.
In that explosive scene, the choices of Director Chris Weitz and screenwriter Chris Weitz resulted in a cliché depiction of a psychopathic killer. But the historical truth about Adolf Eichmann as a steely bureaucratic, who was one of the masterminds of the extermination of millions of human lives without feeling any emotional connection to the atrocities, is even more sinister. It is much more disturbing to contemplate the architect of the most horrific genocide of the twentieth century as a man who genuinely believes he was acting in the best interests of his nation in his capacity as the non-descript head of the "Office of Jewish Affairs." Eichmann rarely showed emotion, as apparent in the trial, and it is unlikely that he would unravel to the extent portrayed in the short scene in the Buenos Aires safe house.
The film was nonetheless successful in unfolding the importance of the capture and trial of Eichmann, which for the first time brought eyewitnesses to the fore to tell the story of the Holocaust. And it did so through the medium of television in the context of a trial broadcast to millions of viewers. One of the most striking moments in the film was the appearance of Eichmann's wife in Israel where she visited her husband in prison. That was the fulfillment of a promise made and a promise kept by Peter Malkin to reunite Eichmann with his wife for a final meeting. The contrast of Eichmann and Malkin is one of barbarism versus compassion. That is one of the most memorable achievements of this fine film.
The bonus track opens with Kingsley describing "Operation Finale" as "the capturing of a monster and the honoring of the monster's victims." The film was successful in its painstaking recreation of the capture of Eichmann and the tricky process of flying him to Israel. The screenplay drew on the autobiographical "In My Hands" by Peter Malkin, who was one of the principal operatives involved in the apprehending of Eichmann and facilitating his secret transportation to Israel for trial. The most dynamic part of the film was the relationship of Malkin (Oscar Isaac) and Eichmann and the unanticipated empathy for the Nazi war criminal that developed on the part of Malkin, whose beloved sister was a victim of the Holocaust.
Another interesting character development in the film was in the figure of Sylvia Hermann, a young Jewish woman who starts a romantic relationship with Eichmann's son Klaus, then discovers that he is part of a Nazi cabal in Argentina. Hermann's efforts in blowing the whistle on the suspected residence of Klaus' father led the Mossad to Argentina. David Ben-Gurion, the national founder of the State of Israel and its first Prime Minister, took it from there to order to the apprehension of Eichmann in a top secret operation.
There is one problematic scene in the film that reveals Eichmann losing his cool for a moment and lapsing into the mode of "the monster" as he taunts Malkin and relishes in the memory of the death of Malkin's sister Fruma. The scene was out of character for the poised Eichmann. In the commentary track, the film's director described the scene as "conjectural," but he failed to grasp the implications of taking license with such an over-the-top interpretation.
In that explosive scene, the choices of Director Chris Weitz and screenwriter Chris Weitz resulted in a cliché depiction of a psychopathic killer. But the historical truth about Adolf Eichmann as a steely bureaucratic, who was one of the masterminds of the extermination of millions of human lives without feeling any emotional connection to the atrocities, is even more sinister. It is much more disturbing to contemplate the architect of the most horrific genocide of the twentieth century as a man who genuinely believes he was acting in the best interests of his nation in his capacity as the non-descript head of the "Office of Jewish Affairs." Eichmann rarely showed emotion, as apparent in the trial, and it is unlikely that he would unravel to the extent portrayed in the short scene in the Buenos Aires safe house.
The film was nonetheless successful in unfolding the importance of the capture and trial of Eichmann, which for the first time brought eyewitnesses to the fore to tell the story of the Holocaust. And it did so through the medium of television in the context of a trial broadcast to millions of viewers. One of the most striking moments in the film was the appearance of Eichmann's wife in Israel where she visited her husband in prison. That was the fulfillment of a promise made and a promise kept by Peter Malkin to reunite Eichmann with his wife for a final meeting. The contrast of Eichmann and Malkin is one of barbarism versus compassion. That is one of the most memorable achievements of this fine film.
Not exactly enjoyable...but well done.
planktonrules20 August 2021
This is the second or third film I've seen that dramatizes the events leading to the capture of Adolph Eichmann. However, this one focuses less on how they discovered this evil man hiding in Argentina and more on what happened after he was captured and before he was spirited off to Israel to face a trial for crimes against humanity.
Of course, such a film isn't going to be fun viewing but the film is not as intense and filled with much footage of the actions of this monster or the SS. As a result, it's probably a good film to show your older kids or teens...of course, provided you watch it with them and help explain the context for the real life drama.
Overall, very well made and worth seeing....and quite interesting.
Of course, such a film isn't going to be fun viewing but the film is not as intense and filled with much footage of the actions of this monster or the SS. As a result, it's probably a good film to show your older kids or teens...of course, provided you watch it with them and help explain the context for the real life drama.
Overall, very well made and worth seeing....and quite interesting.
Find and catch
kosmasp3 April 2019
Sometimes it is not just about finding someone, or just catching them. It is about how to handle the whole situation. And with "war criminals" from the past, some may even argue: is it worth the time and money to catch and old man? What will it bring/achieve overall? Then again, shouldn't they still be held accountable? There are many moral questions attached to this, though the fact that you still have right wingers going crazy and trying to blame foreigners (Jews in this particular instance) is abhorrent.
Having said all that, you have a great cast assembled here. Sir Ben Kingsley at the helm but many others "supporting" him. It is a tough subject matter especially because it is true. Maybe some things have been heightened (didn't read up on everything that went down), but overall this is quite draining and seems like a logical account of things. So while it may seem slow at times, the tension is still quite high.
Having said all that, you have a great cast assembled here. Sir Ben Kingsley at the helm but many others "supporting" him. It is a tough subject matter especially because it is true. Maybe some things have been heightened (didn't read up on everything that went down), but overall this is quite draining and seems like a logical account of things. So while it may seem slow at times, the tension is still quite high.
Not So Much Based on a True Story
dogmaticdogs2 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
On the bright side, the acting was not that bad. However, given the importance of the subject matter, I wish the writers, producers and directors took it a little more seriously. The most distracting thing about the movie was that they turned what was originally based on a fascinating true story into silly fiction. For instance, of all the vile things the Nazi war criminal did, what he is portrayed as remembering the most is the murder of the sister (and her baby) of the man who captured him, supposedly out of pure coincidence. In addition, the scenes regarding the plane being delayed on the runway, and taking off at the last second, seemed cliché at best (not to mention cut and paste from Argo). They also threw in a fake story line about a sexual relationship between two of the characters because once you go off the rails, why not? It was if they assumed their audience wanted mindless blockbuster gimmicks rather than to gain insight into the mind of a madman, and what makes one grow into a monster. It could have been so much more. Instead, they made it historically inaccurate and easily forgettable.
Wastes two strong performances
CubsandCulture6 January 2019
The story is too straightforward and streamlined. Too much of the film is trying to build tension over the success of the mission but the twists and set back all feel too slight and easily overcome. There are more dramatically interesting ways to tell this story and I think trying to fit it into a thriller mode was a mistake. Maybe a courtroom drama would have been a better fit but the plot keeps butting in when the film seems to be going in an interesting direction, i.e. the interplay between Peter and Adolf. The story isn't bad but it could have been so much more.
Fortunately, Kingsley and Isaac turn in some moving understated performances. Kingsley is especially chilling as Adolf and there is weird intertextual irony given his previous role in Schindler's List. Kingsley embodies the banality of evil and it utterly works. Isaac was a good choice to carry the movie.
This film was disappointing. It could have been so much more.
Fortunately, Kingsley and Isaac turn in some moving understated performances. Kingsley is especially chilling as Adolf and there is weird intertextual irony given his previous role in Schindler's List. Kingsley embodies the banality of evil and it utterly works. Isaac was a good choice to carry the movie.
This film was disappointing. It could have been so much more.
the hunt for evil
ferguson-629 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Greetings again from the darkness. Historical dramas, by definition, carry added depth and weight to stories that sometimes seem almost beyond belief. Such is the true story of the 1960 Mossad mission to capture Adolph Eichmann, the noted architect of the Final Solution, who was hiding in plain sight in Argentina. You might think there have already been enough Holocaust movies, but director Chris Weitz (ABOUT A BOY) hones in on the personal aspects of loss and anger, and the need for justice.
Matthew Orton's first screenplay benefits greatly from a terrific cast, especially the two main characters played by Ben Kingsley (Adolph Eichmann) and Oscar Isaac (Mossad agent Peter Malkin). Sir Ben is notably restrained in his performance of the last surviving mastermind of the Holocaust, and one of the most despised men on the planet. His subdued performance aligns perfectly with the "ordinary" man of which we've since read. Mr. Isaac adds the element of psychology in his "good cop" approach to getting Eichmann to crack.
Playing much like a heist movie, we see the team assembled and the quite convoluted plan devised. The high risk strategy underscores the desperation so many felt in their need to see Eichmann pay for his atrocities. The manhunt required some political tip-toeing, and we even gain a history lesson on the role of the Catholic Church. A tip from a "secret" Jewish daughter (Haley Lu Richardson) and her father (Peter Strauss) set things in motion. Sylvia (Ms. Richardson) actually dates Klaus Eichmann (played by Joe Alwyn), who is a picture-perfect Aryan carrying on the horrid Nazi tradition of hatred.
Of course, Klaus is the son of Adolph, and the one who spills the beans about his father being "a big deal" in the war ... thereby ruining the quiet and mostly unassuming life they have been living with Adolph's wife (a nearly unrecognizable Greta Scacchi). Sylvia and Klaus meet at a movie when she shushes him and his friends. Director Weitz even includes a clip of IMITATION OF LIFE (1959), a film that not coincidentally stars his mother, Susan Kohner. It's a nice touch.
Much of the film takes place in the safe house where Adolph Eichmann is blindfolded and spoon-fed. It's here that the psychological games and political maneuverings begin. Supporting actors who add strength to the film include team members Melanie Laurent (Hanna), Michael Aranov (chief negotiator Zvi), Lior Raz (as the demanding team director), Nick Kroll, and Simon Russell Beale (as Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion). There is a history of bumpy romance between Hanna and Peter, though it adds little to the story.
Alexandre Desplat's score is terrific, especially during a creative and informative opening credit sequence. "Who did you lose?" is a recurring question throughout, as it's 1960 and everyone involved lost someone - a driving force behind their persistence and commitment to the cause. The film is focused on the mission to capture, not the details of the subsequent trial; however it does close with archival photos of the actual trial - adding historical relevance to this fine dramatization.
Matthew Orton's first screenplay benefits greatly from a terrific cast, especially the two main characters played by Ben Kingsley (Adolph Eichmann) and Oscar Isaac (Mossad agent Peter Malkin). Sir Ben is notably restrained in his performance of the last surviving mastermind of the Holocaust, and one of the most despised men on the planet. His subdued performance aligns perfectly with the "ordinary" man of which we've since read. Mr. Isaac adds the element of psychology in his "good cop" approach to getting Eichmann to crack.
Playing much like a heist movie, we see the team assembled and the quite convoluted plan devised. The high risk strategy underscores the desperation so many felt in their need to see Eichmann pay for his atrocities. The manhunt required some political tip-toeing, and we even gain a history lesson on the role of the Catholic Church. A tip from a "secret" Jewish daughter (Haley Lu Richardson) and her father (Peter Strauss) set things in motion. Sylvia (Ms. Richardson) actually dates Klaus Eichmann (played by Joe Alwyn), who is a picture-perfect Aryan carrying on the horrid Nazi tradition of hatred.
Of course, Klaus is the son of Adolph, and the one who spills the beans about his father being "a big deal" in the war ... thereby ruining the quiet and mostly unassuming life they have been living with Adolph's wife (a nearly unrecognizable Greta Scacchi). Sylvia and Klaus meet at a movie when she shushes him and his friends. Director Weitz even includes a clip of IMITATION OF LIFE (1959), a film that not coincidentally stars his mother, Susan Kohner. It's a nice touch.
Much of the film takes place in the safe house where Adolph Eichmann is blindfolded and spoon-fed. It's here that the psychological games and political maneuverings begin. Supporting actors who add strength to the film include team members Melanie Laurent (Hanna), Michael Aranov (chief negotiator Zvi), Lior Raz (as the demanding team director), Nick Kroll, and Simon Russell Beale (as Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion). There is a history of bumpy romance between Hanna and Peter, though it adds little to the story.
Alexandre Desplat's score is terrific, especially during a creative and informative opening credit sequence. "Who did you lose?" is a recurring question throughout, as it's 1960 and everyone involved lost someone - a driving force behind their persistence and commitment to the cause. The film is focused on the mission to capture, not the details of the subsequent trial; however it does close with archival photos of the actual trial - adding historical relevance to this fine dramatization.
not so bad
Kirpianuscus6 October 2018
The only serious problem is the good intention in this case. The high ambition , too. Because the film has the right story and the right actors. But not the right director. The film is far to be bad and the music saves many errors or flaws. Ben Kingsley deserves the role of Eichman and the subject is fascinating. But it has not the chance to be the first film about the operation to find Adolf Eichman and the mistake of director remains to give a film who seems reduce the importance of Shoah and propose a love story who escapes to it . But , sure, it has the virtue to be the start point for viewer to discover the real story of the operation.
Weak history, but not a bad movie.
JurijFedorov28 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Historically very questionable and plays very loose with historical events. Don't watch this to get the real story or to feel like you are experiencing the real history. It's largely about the mental trauma an agent has about losing his sister in WW2 and how it destroys him mentally. Flashbacks are common and take over the story. The kidnapping of the Nazi leader in Argentina is like 20% true to real life. A lot of it is very modern drama where everything is supposed to be cool and flashy instead of realistic.
It's especially super cringe when the Nazis start chasing them in Argentina and even try to stop the escape plane - a scene always there in ahistorical movies. This part is so stupid and counter to historical events that no one can watch this part and enjoy it. You have Argentina basically ruled by Nazis here. Not even just Germans, legit Nazis controlling their police force and bossing them around like they were some "backwards" South Americans just waiting for proper German leadership to show the weak Argentinians how it's done. There is even a scene where the Nazis force the cops to kidnap and torture a Jewish girl to make her reveal where the kidnappers are hiding. Because... why not have that totally random scene in a historical movie? A similar thing did happen as revenge after Adolph Eichmann's execution in Israel. It just didn't happen to extract information in an Argentinian police station. See the issue? The real event is 3 violent criminals torturing a Jew because they are psychopaths and hate Jews. The fake event is making Argentinians overall support Nazi torture in a fictional universe. The regime is here seen as a continuation of Nazi Germany. In reality there were a few former Nazis hiding alone in Argentina.
Eichmann's son is a horrible actor just overacting every single scene he is on screen as you'd expect from an amateur trying to act like an evil Nazi. He becomes the leader of the Nazi gang after his dad is kidnapped and basically runs Argentina in that moment it seems. In the movie the police chase the Israeli agents all over the city. In real life his family didn't even call the cops. They couldn't reveal who they were for obvious reasons. And their friends also didn't want to help them as many were former Nazis too and needed to stay hidden. So while the movie makes Argentina a Hitler province with swastikas and sieg heils they actually didn't want to be heard or seen and took on fake names. Real life was the opposite of the movie.
Besides this being nothing like real history it's actually not bad. The acting is fairly good and the mission itself is cool. It's nice to see an early version of Israel trying to become a proper functional country. There are some really cool scenes set in Israel. And it's nice to see old dictatorial Argentina too. Of course it's not fully factual history, but you can see the real history beneath it all and it rarely gets dull. It's not a movie you should run to watch, but if you do you'll have a bit of fun for 2 hours. I just wish someone would edit out the terrible flashbacks. They are so jarring. And remove the horrible and cringe police chase stuff.
It's especially super cringe when the Nazis start chasing them in Argentina and even try to stop the escape plane - a scene always there in ahistorical movies. This part is so stupid and counter to historical events that no one can watch this part and enjoy it. You have Argentina basically ruled by Nazis here. Not even just Germans, legit Nazis controlling their police force and bossing them around like they were some "backwards" South Americans just waiting for proper German leadership to show the weak Argentinians how it's done. There is even a scene where the Nazis force the cops to kidnap and torture a Jewish girl to make her reveal where the kidnappers are hiding. Because... why not have that totally random scene in a historical movie? A similar thing did happen as revenge after Adolph Eichmann's execution in Israel. It just didn't happen to extract information in an Argentinian police station. See the issue? The real event is 3 violent criminals torturing a Jew because they are psychopaths and hate Jews. The fake event is making Argentinians overall support Nazi torture in a fictional universe. The regime is here seen as a continuation of Nazi Germany. In reality there were a few former Nazis hiding alone in Argentina.
Eichmann's son is a horrible actor just overacting every single scene he is on screen as you'd expect from an amateur trying to act like an evil Nazi. He becomes the leader of the Nazi gang after his dad is kidnapped and basically runs Argentina in that moment it seems. In the movie the police chase the Israeli agents all over the city. In real life his family didn't even call the cops. They couldn't reveal who they were for obvious reasons. And their friends also didn't want to help them as many were former Nazis too and needed to stay hidden. So while the movie makes Argentina a Hitler province with swastikas and sieg heils they actually didn't want to be heard or seen and took on fake names. Real life was the opposite of the movie.
Besides this being nothing like real history it's actually not bad. The acting is fairly good and the mission itself is cool. It's nice to see an early version of Israel trying to become a proper functional country. There are some really cool scenes set in Israel. And it's nice to see old dictatorial Argentina too. Of course it's not fully factual history, but you can see the real history beneath it all and it rarely gets dull. It's not a movie you should run to watch, but if you do you'll have a bit of fun for 2 hours. I just wish someone would edit out the terrible flashbacks. They are so jarring. And remove the horrible and cringe police chase stuff.
psychological chess
SnoopyStyle2 September 2019
It's 1960 Buenos Aires, Argentina. Teenager Sylvia Hermann falls for Klaus Eichmann. He tells her that he is raised by his uncle after his SS father was killed. Unbeknownst to them, her father is secretly a German Jew. The uncle is suspected to be Adolph Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), the architect of the Holocaust. When it's reported back to the Mossad, Rafi Eitan (Nick Kroll) insists on pursuing the fugitive despite reservations. Peter Malkin (Oscar Isaac) is a team leader. Hanna Elian (Mélanie Laurent) is the doctor. It's a daring operation to kidnap the Nazi and transport him to Israel for trial.
At first, I expected a caper movie. I expected laying out the scheme and overcoming some unexpected hurdles. For the first half, that's the movie and it's not that new. The Argentinian Nazi gathering is very creepy and there is an interesting history lesson. It's pretty good and then it turns into something better at the safe house. It becomes a psychological chess match and that's the more interesting battle. It's a simple good cop, bad cop situation but Ben Kingsley heightens it with his excellence. He's a master of acting. This reminds me a bit of Munich but this is superior.
At first, I expected a caper movie. I expected laying out the scheme and overcoming some unexpected hurdles. For the first half, that's the movie and it's not that new. The Argentinian Nazi gathering is very creepy and there is an interesting history lesson. It's pretty good and then it turns into something better at the safe house. It becomes a psychological chess match and that's the more interesting battle. It's a simple good cop, bad cop situation but Ben Kingsley heightens it with his excellence. He's a master of acting. This reminds me a bit of Munich but this is superior.
PC bows and caricatures
downey-404823 September 2018
It's good to see this subject being revived. But as for the movie, I'd recommend reading Neal Bascomb's book and calling it good. 1) The movie creates out of whole cloth a female doctor/love-interest for Peter Malkin. The mission's real doctor was a man, not so tied to Malkin in the story line. Also, Malkin deserves a lot props, but pro'ly not all the props. 2) The movie portrays Argentine Nazi expats as caricatures like Henry Gibson's tribe in "The Blues Brothers." Bascomb seems to indicate the underground Nazis in Argentina were ambivalent at best about Eichmann. That ambivalence really highlights how far the wretch had fallen when they finally grabbed him, and makes his case far more interesting as study of evil. But the movie didn't even try catch that angle of the story.
Intriguing and edifying
grantss20 October 2018
1960. Israeli agents get a tip-off that Adolph Eichmann, the architect of Hitler's Final Solution, is living in Argentina. They assemble a team to extract him and bring him to Israel to stand trial as a mass murderer.
Interesting true story. Shows how the Mossad investigated the possibility that Eichmann was living in Argentina, how they positively identified him and the planning and execution of getting him to Israel. While you know the result, if you know history, it still makes for very intriguing watching. This is especially as there was a large amount of danger involved in the operation - there was a large element of Nazis and Nazi sympathisers living in Argentina and they had significant influence over the government.
The historic element makes this quite edifying viewing too.
Great work by Ben Kingsley as Eichmann. Oscar Isaac puts in a solid performance as Peter Malkin, senior Mossad agent.
Interesting true story. Shows how the Mossad investigated the possibility that Eichmann was living in Argentina, how they positively identified him and the planning and execution of getting him to Israel. While you know the result, if you know history, it still makes for very intriguing watching. This is especially as there was a large amount of danger involved in the operation - there was a large element of Nazis and Nazi sympathisers living in Argentina and they had significant influence over the government.
The historic element makes this quite edifying viewing too.
Great work by Ben Kingsley as Eichmann. Oscar Isaac puts in a solid performance as Peter Malkin, senior Mossad agent.
Very touching movie
ivanran-8680519 November 2019
This subject deserves better....
MOscarbradley16 February 2020
An intelligent, if lugubrious, account of how Adolf Eichmann was captured in Buenos Aires and returned to Israel to stand trial. About the best you can say of Chris Weitz's "Operation Finale" is that it's a decent history lesson but a poor film with a miscast Ben Kingsley as Eichmann, (at the time the film was set Eichmann was 54 while Kingsley is 76 and looks it). As one of the men who did the actual capturing and who, in this film at least, is seen to form a kind of bond with his prisoner, Oscar Isaac isn't at all bad but everyone else in the cast is just some kind of pawn. What's lacking is any sense of urgency. I hate to say it but the film might have been better if it were less tasteful; it's almost as if everyone connected with the film were afraid to get their hands dirty so it's all handled with kid gloves. Material like this deserves better.
Some of the best acting of the year!
JohnDeSando30 August 2018
"The banality of evil" ... Hannah Arendt
The abduction of Adolph Eichmann in May 1960 Argentina is the stuff of thrillers, in the spirit of true-inspired films like Munich and Inglorious Basterds. What makes Operation Finale unique and watchable is the acting of Oscar Isaac as the primary captor, Peter Malkin, and Ben Kingsley as "the architect of the Holocaust." When the two are together, the screen heats up with truth and passion in a muted, underplayed power.
In an expert summer thriller directed by Chris Weitz and written by Matthew Orton, Isaac portrays a Nazi hunter along with Mossad operatives charged to perform the abduction; he carries a burden of memory for his sister lost with millions of other captured Jews. His portrayal is humane, sympathetic, and vengeful. Kingsley portrays a charming monster capable of civility and reason as he spars with Isaac about responsibility when like so many other Nazis he claims to have been taking orders.
Kingsley's Eichmann has minor mannerisms revealing a fastidious killer who can evidence love for his family although he eliminated millions with the nod of his head. His joke about Goebbels, Goring, and Hitler humanizes him, no doubt to the chagrin to more than a few in the audience.
Ever controlled, he converses with Peter as a caring neighbor might under better circumstances. Kingsley exudes the confidence and malignity necessary to be the architect.
Although I suspect the barely escaping plane at the end is as contrived as the airport race at the end of Munich, the heart of this true story is the dilemma all principals face when bringing justice to a wretch who deserves a bullet between the eyes before the long trial begins. Peter struggles with that demon as anyone would do.
Operation Finale, perhaps too seriously traditional, is another of the docudramas that draw us in even as we know the outcome. That's entertaining story telling about grim history. "The Holocaust was the most evil crime ever committed." Stephen Ambrose
In an expert summer thriller directed by Chris Weitz and written by Matthew Orton, Isaac portrays a Nazi hunter along with Mossad operatives charged to perform the abduction; he carries a burden of memory for his sister lost with millions of other captured Jews. His portrayal is humane, sympathetic, and vengeful. Kingsley portrays a charming monster capable of civility and reason as he spars with Isaac about responsibility when like so many other Nazis he claims to have been taking orders.
Kingsley's Eichmann has minor mannerisms revealing a fastidious killer who can evidence love for his family although he eliminated millions with the nod of his head. His joke about Goebbels, Goring, and Hitler humanizes him, no doubt to the chagrin to more than a few in the audience.
Ever controlled, he converses with Peter as a caring neighbor might under better circumstances. Kingsley exudes the confidence and malignity necessary to be the architect.
Although I suspect the barely escaping plane at the end is as contrived as the airport race at the end of Munich, the heart of this true story is the dilemma all principals face when bringing justice to a wretch who deserves a bullet between the eyes before the long trial begins. Peter struggles with that demon as anyone would do.
Operation Finale, perhaps too seriously traditional, is another of the docudramas that draw us in even as we know the outcome. That's entertaining story telling about grim history. "The Holocaust was the most evil crime ever committed." Stephen Ambrose
Accurately innacurate
bastos4 January 2021
I'm always fascinated by the reviews on IMDB. Here are some of the headlines for this movie: "Great historic accuracy", "HISTORICALLY SUPER WRONG", "Historically Accurate", "historicly incorrect". It seems like a joke... I am always a defender of historical accuracy in your historical movies and many times I simply cannot understand the creative licenses some movies take to make them more appealing. This is a hard movie to judge on that front because the whole operation is pretty accurate on how it happened, they only changed some details that, as you can see, make some people very angry. Does changing the sex of the doctor to make for some romantic tension better the movie? I don't think so, to be honest, but I also think that most of the important decisions for the story are correct so, in this case, I can forgive these slight inaccuracies. But had they been cut maybe it would have helped the biggest issue I had with the movie which was the running time and some of the rhythm. On a technical level nothing to say, as everything is well done and the acting is very good as expected from the talent involved. All in all I think I can recommend this movie.
Nazi war criminal on the move
michaelRokeefe23 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
World War II has been over for 15 years and this historical drama follows an Isreli Mossad agent and a group of operatives on the trail of the Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichman (Ben Kingsley). Eichman is given the credit as being the architect of the Holocaust. You will recognize that liberty has been taken with written history. The subject however sustains interest. The world kept eyes on the trial of Eichman.
A well rounded cast features Oscar Isaac, Peter Strauss, Lelanie Laurent, Joe Alwyn, Nick Kroll, Michael Aronov and Greta Scacchi.
A well rounded cast features Oscar Isaac, Peter Strauss, Lelanie Laurent, Joe Alwyn, Nick Kroll, Michael Aronov and Greta Scacchi.
Intense and thought-provoking reenactment about Adolph Eichmann's capture masterfully played by Sir Ben Kingsley
ma-cortes28 January 2021
Straightforward film thad had been previously adapted in similar style , dealing with the famous kidnap and trial of the notorious Nazi officer. After WWII , a lot of essential figures in Hitler's command escaped Germany and were rumored to be living in South America as the nicknamed the Angel of Death : Joseph Mengele . And Adolph Eichmann wanted in connection with milions of deaths is suspected to be living incognito in Argentina and being main responsible of the "Death Trains" . Although in the movie Adolph Eichmann is nicknamed the Architect of the Final Solution, the real mastermind was Reinhard Heydrich who was the true promoter of the Conference of Wanshee where was dedided the Jews extermination and there Eichmann was actually an underling.
This is a tense and thrilling reenactment of the capture of Eichmann , posing as Richard Klement . The best scenes are when happen the twisted interrogation to Eichmann very well performed by Ben Kingsley . Main and support cast are frankly fine. Oscar Isaac is pretty good, giving a nice acting as the head of the team , determinated to bring the monster to the Israeli Justice . At the same time it deals with the Mossad : Israel Secret Intelligence Organitation under secret orders of Ben Gurion that will stop at nothing and at whatever cost to detain Adolph Eichman and bring him to Israeli justice.
This one has been adapted too : The House on Garibaldi Street 1979 by Peter Collinson with Martin Balsam , Nick Mancuso, Charles Gray , Leo McKern .The Man who captured to Eichmann 1996 by William A Graham with Robert Duvall , Arliss Howard , Jeffrey Tambor . Eichmann 2007 by Robert Young with Thomas Kretschmann , Troy Garity , Franca Potente , Stephen Fry .
This is a tense and thrilling reenactment of the capture of Eichmann , posing as Richard Klement . The best scenes are when happen the twisted interrogation to Eichmann very well performed by Ben Kingsley . Main and support cast are frankly fine. Oscar Isaac is pretty good, giving a nice acting as the head of the team , determinated to bring the monster to the Israeli Justice . At the same time it deals with the Mossad : Israel Secret Intelligence Organitation under secret orders of Ben Gurion that will stop at nothing and at whatever cost to detain Adolph Eichman and bring him to Israeli justice.
This one has been adapted too : The House on Garibaldi Street 1979 by Peter Collinson with Martin Balsam , Nick Mancuso, Charles Gray , Leo McKern .The Man who captured to Eichmann 1996 by William A Graham with Robert Duvall , Arliss Howard , Jeffrey Tambor . Eichmann 2007 by Robert Young with Thomas Kretschmann , Troy Garity , Franca Potente , Stephen Fry .
Enjoyable Story
noahharrigan9 April 2022
This true story about Adolf Eichmann was well done with great acting. The only thing I would have liked to see in the movie is more of how they found out that Eichmann was residing in Argentina. I didn't think there was much suspense leading to the special agents capturing him and bringing him back to their safehouse before getting his signature to go back to Israel for trial. The movie started off with it being known he was living in Argentina - I think the beginning could have been a little bit different in this sense.
However - pretty good movie with a telling story followed by facts about the trial at the end credits. As I stated, the beginning could have been better, but overall it told the story in a good fashion.
However - pretty good movie with a telling story followed by facts about the trial at the end credits. As I stated, the beginning could have been better, but overall it told the story in a good fashion.
Interesting True Story
MovieBuff117323 January 2019
Operation Finale is about a group of people are trying to make sure the Nazi's don't start up again after WWII.
Operation Finale is a fun movie. It is intense and happy at the same time. The acting was great. Nick Kroll and Oscar Isaac both did a great job. Topping all the actor in this movie was probably Ben Kingsley. He did a great job. He made you feel symphony for his dark character. The stage work could have been better. It looked like is was some kids making a movie on that side. The flash backs were done great. They were sometimes hard to watch or listen to but that made you feel symphony for this spectacular character.
Operation Finale was a great movie to watch. It was an enjoyable film also.
Operation Finale is a fun movie. It is intense and happy at the same time. The acting was great. Nick Kroll and Oscar Isaac both did a great job. Topping all the actor in this movie was probably Ben Kingsley. He did a great job. He made you feel symphony for his dark character. The stage work could have been better. It looked like is was some kids making a movie on that side. The flash backs were done great. They were sometimes hard to watch or listen to but that made you feel symphony for this spectacular character.
Operation Finale was a great movie to watch. It was an enjoyable film also.
Great movie!
yossikievmandude30 August 2019
I see a lot of people hating on this movie for its slow pace, but clearly this generation is to hyper active to appreciate something like this. Me being a religious Jew and an Israeli/American really thought this movie showed the difference between the animals the nazis are and the way we treat the enemies who hope to destroy us.
This movie was fantastic.
Thank you!
Good in parts but some major faults
phd_travel3 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The story of Eichmann's capture has been told before but it is so interesting that it is worth a current high quality feature film remake. It was a bit of a
disappointment.
Chris Weitz doesn't do a good job directing. Crucial points are glossed over quickly. Too much prior knowledge of the events and characters is required to follow. The beginning is exciting then the middle is dull when things stall about the signing of the letter. Too much time on this part. It gets more exciting again towards the flight out and the end.
Oscar Isaac is so versatile he's convincing as the earnestly Nazi hunter despite not being Jewish. Everybody's favourite Nazi hunter Mélanie Laurent is a welcome presence but her English diction isn't great after all this time. Ben Kingsley has played Otto Frank and now he plays Adolf Eichmann. He doesn't resemble him physically that much. He doesn't have that Teutonic look that was necessary for the role.
Worth watching but be prepared to be disappointed by some aspects. The good parts make it worth seeing though.
Not as good as the fictional Odessa File.
Chris Weitz doesn't do a good job directing. Crucial points are glossed over quickly. Too much prior knowledge of the events and characters is required to follow. The beginning is exciting then the middle is dull when things stall about the signing of the letter. Too much time on this part. It gets more exciting again towards the flight out and the end.
Oscar Isaac is so versatile he's convincing as the earnestly Nazi hunter despite not being Jewish. Everybody's favourite Nazi hunter Mélanie Laurent is a welcome presence but her English diction isn't great after all this time. Ben Kingsley has played Otto Frank and now he plays Adolf Eichmann. He doesn't resemble him physically that much. He doesn't have that Teutonic look that was necessary for the role.
Worth watching but be prepared to be disappointed by some aspects. The good parts make it worth seeing though.
Not as good as the fictional Odessa File.
Boring?
janmanuel219 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The people who think movies like this are boring should probably stick to car chases and Marvel comics. This was a very tense movie about a man who was so evil - probably the people who give it low scores don't even know who Adolf Eichmann was. Some dramatic fiction was probably added because to make a good movie that's a necessity. To the reviewer who said the plane being held up was cliche, this actually did happen. No, I didn't need caffeine at all. I thought it was very well done and the acting was great.
Interesting But Slow
stevendbeard1 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I saw "Operation Finale", starring Oscar Isaac-He was Poe Dameron in the Star Wars movies, Ex Machina; Ben Kingsley-Ender's Game, Iron Man 3; Melanie Laurent-Now You See Me, Inglourious Basterds and Nick Kroll-Uncle Drew, Vacation_2015.
This movie is based on a true story about how a WW2 war criminal was brought to justice. Ben plays the SS officer Adolf Eichmann, who hid out in Argentina after the war. During the war, he was responsible for what was called, 'The Final Solution', which was basically the extermination of over 6 million Jews-some people like to refer to it as the Holocaust. A team of Israeli secret agents-aka, The Mossad-led by Oscar were the ones that hunted Ben down in the 1960's. Melani & Nick were on the team that wanted him to stand trial in Israel-they didn't want to kill him, well, some of them did, but most of them wanted him to have a trail and face what he had done. The story is pretty interesting, especially with the interrogation scenes and the escape maneuvers, but it is a little slow in parts. During the end credits, there are actual photos shown that were taken during the trial-which lasted about 8 months-so you can see what the real participants looked like.
It'a rated "PG-13" for violent images and language and has a running time of 2 hours & 2 minutes.
I don't think I would buy it on DVD-once was enough-but if you are a WW2 buff, it would be worth a rental.
Respect history
BobNoOneHundred3 October 2018
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