Operation Finale

[Der Texaner]

Anyone seen this movie about Adolf Eichmann? The uniforms, flags and equipment look pretty good.

-Joel

[Texasuberalles]

It was a good movie; well acted. Kinsgely has the character down pat even as far as his smirk during the trial.

Hollywood tarted it up somewhat by adding some sub plots and scenes that differ from the original book 'The House on Garibaldi Street' written years ago by an original one of the inside kidnappers.

All in all it is a worthwhile view, especially for the average movie-goer who is
not a student of the period and nit-nat true details of the subject.

[Der Texaner]

Thanks for your opinion. I’m going to see it tonight.

-J

[Der Texaner]

Perhaps I should live stream it for you guys.

[Michael Miller]

Haven't seen it, but images I've seen of Kingsley are immediately disqualifying from a historical accuracy standpoint. He wears SS runes on his right collar patch. One need only look at the well-known official wartime portrait of Eichmann to see that, as an officer of the RSHA, he wore the plain black patch. Kingsley as Eichmann wears the Goldenes Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP (Golden Party Badge). He did not qualify in any way for that award and therefore did not wear it. Kingsley as Eichmann, apparently attending an Einsatzgruppe massacre (i.e., probably 1941 or '42), wears the ribbon for the Iron Cross Second Class. He did not receive that until very late 1944, around the time that he was awarded the Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern (on 3 December 1944).

Most viewers won't notice or care- I get that. Still puzzles and annoys me that such unnecessary errors are made, particularly when the filmmakers have a budget at their disposal that would more than pay for some basic research services. Accuracy should be important, particularly when they're purportedly seeking to recreate history. I have the same criticisms of "Schindler's List", and am invariably accused of nitpickery (because "Relax, it's just a movie!").

~ Mike

[Michael Miller]

Eichmann's decorations & awards:

29.09.1944 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse
03.12.1944 Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern
15.07.1944 Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern
ca. 1941 Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Bronze
[01.12.1938] SA-Sportabzeichen in Bronze
[01.10.1942] Totenkopfring der SS
00.00.193_ SS-Zivilabzeichen (Nr. 6 375)
00.02.1934 Ehrenwinkel für alte Kämpfer

[stgeorge64]

Eichmann's decorations & awards:
29.09.1944 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse

Michael, do you happen to know the circumstances behind the award of Eichmann's EK 2 at all?

Regards Richard.

[Michael Miller]

According to David Cesarani's biography "Becoming Eichmann", at the end of August 1944, Eichmann led a "commando squad" to help in evacuating some 10,000 Volksdeutsche who were stuck on the Hungarian/Romanian border and endangered by the advancing Soviet Army. Although the ethnic Germans refused to go, Eichmann and his men were able to assist in evacuating personnel of a Feldlazarett near the front.

~ Mike

[stgeorge64]

According to David Cesarani's biography "Becoming Eichmann", at the end of August 1944, Eichmann led a "commando squad" to help in evacuating some 10,000 Volksdeutsche who were stuck on the Hungarian/Romanian border and endangered by the advancing Soviet Army. Although the ethnic Germans refused to go, Eichmann and his men were able to assist in evacuating personnel of a Feldlazarett near the front. ~ Mike

Interesting information, and after reading that I may well read the biography.

Thank you for the explanation.

Regards Richard.

[Immelmann]

Just laughable I saw the clip and seeing the actor playing Eichmann aka Major Hochstetter ...must have had more layers of paint on him than a Rolls-Royce.... absolutely ridiculous and completely unbelievable

[Michael Miller]

Indeed. Kingsley is 74, playing Eichmann at 35/36. Ridiculously poor casting.

~ Mike

[N.C. Wyeth]

Coming to NetFlix soon . . . to be "airbrushed", WITHOUT any insignia!



Scowling and severe in his SS uniform, the actor Sir Ben Kingsley makes a plausible Adolf Eichmann. Except for two small details.

While promotional material for Operation Finale, the Netflix drama, says that it is based on an “incredible true story”, the Obersturmbannführer’s cap badges were considered too provocative. Two Nazi military insignia — an eagle clutching a swastika and a skull and crossbones — have been airbrushed from the SS cap in European advertising because some countries have strict laws banning Nazi symbols.


Looked silly before - now it only get's worse . . .

[Toronto_Matt]

Movie is garbage

[Tom B]

Yes, I was VERY disappointed in the whole thing !!! And YES bad casting !!!!!! Tom