The Conference

As a Jewish person with great-grandparents who themselves escaped under the Nazis, having heard countless stories growing up, this movie hit.. hard. Not so much because of the subject matter - that's been done before - but the presentation; no over-dramatic excessive presentation with unnecessary musical swells and such. Just... Facts. History. Reality.

I've read the history, heard the stories, and so I was familiar with the event itself. I expected a degree of dramatization for the sake of viewers, but was caught off guard with the stark presentation. I can trace my history straight back to northern Poland, and knowing this event determined the fate of millions of fellow Jews means a lot, and so I was prepared for that. It was the fact that this is a historical picture with some cinematic presentation sprinkled on it - rather than a dramatic piece with some historical garnish - hit me so hard.

Another thing I like about it is the fact that it isn't pushing any sort of ideology - it's not a film written to say "antisemitism is bad and this is an example." It's reality, and so the message is conveyed on its own without requiring a dramatic push to shove it into your face. Truly, an amazing piece of cinema.

A very sober, intelligent attempt to adapt into film the meeting where The Holocaust was launched. Historically informative and free from disturbing, unnecessary and distorting dramatic elements. The interpretation of this infamous group of people is as good as it gets. Maybe we don't feel close to the actual Eichmann and maybe the portrayal of Heydrich adds more depth than he actually possessed - he was probably quite one-dimensionally cold and arrogant. But this does not prevent the film from giving a credible account of the events and the different interests and ways of thinking and talking of the participants.

I was positively surprised by the high quality of the production.

I did however struggle with the portrayal of Reinhard Heydrich, who seemed too soft for a man of his caliber. I understand what the makers of this film were going for by portraying him like this, creating a disturbing contrast between his cultured appearance on the one hand and his utterly barbaric intentions on the other... showing a wolf in sheep clothing. I believe that the historical Heydrich was a man who oozed authority and arrogance, knowing that he was very much feared by fellow Nazis and enemies alike.

On the other hand I was very much impressed by the portrayal of Heinrich "Gestapo" Müller by the actor Jakob Diehl . It seemed like a spot on portrayal.

The actor probably did some in depth research on Müllers biography.

Müller seemed uncomfortable with this meeting and conveyed the general impression as though he did not want to be there. Mr. Diehl did a great job in showing the fact, that Müller was not a convinced Nazi but instead a careerist of the very worst type. The type of person who was literally willing to contribute to some of the worst crimes in history as long as this would advance his career.

A very simple film with most of the scenes confined to a conference room, participated by dull men in uniform discussing technical details. Doesn't sound as interesting as an average Hollywood action film, and still far from a graphic accusation of evil. But the great irony is so manifest for any watcher with minimum historical knowledge.

At least three ironies should be honored. First, Heydrich (the biggest boss at the conference) speaks with such opimism and confidence, and with so much light projected at his face, one can mistake him for a hope for humanity without the help of subtitles and a German ear. He looks like a good superior willing to listen to his subordinates, a bright mind caring about the future of his nation, and a dutiful man following "good" orders.

Second, the greatest conflict in conference was between Heydrich and Dr. Stuckart (medium-high state government official and drafter of Nuremberg laws discriminating Jews): Stuckart objected sending half-Jews to concentration camps, not because he was empathetic to the "inferior race" but because it would cause chaos in administration among the "good" Aryans; and Heydrich condescendingly "conceded" to this "lenient" policy.

Third, when Kritzinger raised the question of the psychological consequence of turning "good" Aryans into bloody executioners, Heydrich ordered Eichmann to explain how Zyklon B and concentration camp is a "humane" way to get the job done without hurting the moral quality of the soldiers.

A perfect film for those interested in Nazi history, in how evil can be perpetrated in such a twisted way that it doesn't seem evil in the first place, and in the application of dark irony. I would play this film in high school and university history courses.

This might be a difficult watch for some but is an essential one. If it were not for the Americans liberating Adolf Eichmann's minutes and notes on this almost unbelievable historic conference, we would be only guessing at how this horrific 'event' was perpetuated, drawn up, and executed. The number of handpicked top-ranking officers, along with high-profile bureaucrats (for the areas involved) assembled for this 'conference' highlights the depth, commitment, and power of Nazi propaganda amongst those so indoctrinated.

That these personnel could collectively attend a meeting to discuss and plan one of the world's largest mass murders - in an idyllic and luxurious location, as if simply planning a sales schedule for a popular breakfast product is alarming in the extreme, and frightening to contemplate.

All performances are first class with brilliant direction and cinematography, making this an above-average experience. It's quite a feat for a movie that plays out in real time, and in the locations it took place, making this a brave and honest German production, made on the 80th anniversary of the shocking Wannsee conference.

While it's almost confined to the rooms these plans were drawn up and approved (like the classic "12 Angry Men") it always holds your attention, never waning for an instant. May it be that as humans, we have progressed and learned to ask more questions and bravely fight back - if not, the victims have paid the ultimate price, and others will tragically do so again.