Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport (2000)
*** (out of 4)
Oscar-winning documentary takes a look at the railroad system that was used in WWII to try and get as many Jewish children as possible out of Germany. The railroad, known as the Kindertransport, ended up saving over 10,000 children and through interviews with those who used it and photos we hear about the history of the system and how it worked. Overall this is a pretty solid documentary for those interesting in the subject matter. If you're not overly interested in the subject then more than likely it's going to be a struggle to make through the entire two hour film. I think the best thing the film has going for it are some of the interviews that are full of detail and really make you understand what it was like being taken away from your family, thrown on a train and taken to either a foster family or a camp where you'd basically wait for someone to come an adopt you. Of course, the entire story isn't a happy one and as the war drug on the lives of even the "safe" children were still at risk. We hear about the political decision of England to allow the kids in and why the American government said no and refused to help in such a plan. I do think the film falls short of being great due to a rather slow pace and for the life of me I couldn't understand why I wasn't more moved by the stories. There was just something missing that kept me from fully connecting with the people involved.
*** (out of 4)
Oscar-winning documentary takes a look at the railroad system that was used in WWII to try and get as many Jewish children as possible out of Germany. The railroad, known as the Kindertransport, ended up saving over 10,000 children and through interviews with those who used it and photos we hear about the history of the system and how it worked. Overall this is a pretty solid documentary for those interesting in the subject matter. If you're not overly interested in the subject then more than likely it's going to be a struggle to make through the entire two hour film. I think the best thing the film has going for it are some of the interviews that are full of detail and really make you understand what it was like being taken away from your family, thrown on a train and taken to either a foster family or a camp where you'd basically wait for someone to come an adopt you. Of course, the entire story isn't a happy one and as the war drug on the lives of even the "safe" children were still at risk. We hear about the political decision of England to allow the kids in and why the American government said no and refused to help in such a plan. I do think the film falls short of being great due to a rather slow pace and for the life of me I couldn't understand why I wasn't more moved by the stories. There was just something missing that kept me from fully connecting with the people involved.