A Friendship in Vienna

Two school girls, one Jewish and one from a family who are strong Nazi supporters are close friends in Vienna in 1938. Their relationship holds fast even as the persecution of Jews grows. Some Jews are aware of the encroaching danger but others refuse to see it and many lose their last opportunity to escape it. The film gets a little maudlin at times: the girls' dialogue seems too adult and idealistic. However the story does clearly depict the insidious manner in which Naziism divided families, friends and communities and it does so in a manner suitable for people from ages 7 to adult. I give it 7/10 (enjoyable enough for one viewing).

This movie is based on the novel 'The Devil in Vienna' by Doris Orgel. The book was written for young adults, and in diary format as told by Inge a young Jewish girl of 13 living in Vienna just before the Nazi takeover of Austria.

The movie is true to the story and the spirit of the book, and tells how these events impact Inge and her best friend Lisette (who is Catholic) and their families. The girls vow to maintain their friendship no matter what happens -- even though Lisette's father and brother are ardent Austrian Nazi's.

The girls are believable in their roles, and Ed Asner stands out as Inge's grandfather. This movie should be enjoyed by girls, as well as people interested in this time period. It especially gives interesting details on how early Nazi laws impacted schools and day to day Jewish lives in Vienna.