The Aryan Couple (2004)

Another in the string of "Holocaust" movies released in recent years, "The Aryan Couple" is a fictionalized account of a wealthy Jewish couple buying their way out of Germany in 1944 in return for handing over all of their wealth to the Nazis, represented in this film by Himmler and Eichmann along with a number of subordinates - some repulsive and some more sympathetic. Martin Landau had the lead role as Jewish industrialist Joseph Krauzenberg - desperate to get his family out of Germany before they end up being sent to Auschwitz or Treblinka. Added into the mix are the Krauzenberg's "Aryan" servants Hans and Ingrid, who are really a Jewish couple working for the resistance who also need to be spirited out of Germany before their real identities are discovered.The movie attempts to reveal part of the somewhat shadowy plan to exchange Jews for cash (the so-called "Europa Plan.") In that it sheds a bit of light on a piece of the Holocaust that hasn't really received very much attention over the years. This isn't however one of the stronger Holocaust movies, in spite of its relatively fresh subject matter. It tends to plod along for the most part, until moments of extremely high tension suddenly appear (such as the dinner at the Krauzenberg home attended by Eichmann and Himmler which included a wonderful performance by Judith Parfitt, who played Rachel Krauzenberg, as she displayed her completely undisguised contempt for her Nazi guests), the revelation of Hans and Ingrid's true identities and their eventual escape into Switzerland. Sometimes, though, it seemed to me as if director John Daly was trying too hard to raise the tension in those dramatic scenes, almost as if to compensate for the relative lack of drama in the rest of the movie.This is certainly worth watching because it does deal with a little known aspect of the Holocaust, but in no other way could it really be considered a great movie. (4/10)

No. Seriously? I think I want to have a small vomit in my mouth. This is pathetic. Atrocious script. Terrible acting. Horrid design.Germans with English and American accents?!Just switch it off as soon as you can. I feel like I've been robbed of special times. Like watching my carpet grow. Exactly.It's astounding how it even got made. Perhaps this won't make it past the review board at IMDb.com.There are far too many brilliant and beautifully executed films based on the German persecution of the Jew and unfortunately this one misses the mark completely. The plot could be considered an interesting angle but the unbelievable actions of both parties at such a sensitive and paranoia driven time of WWII Germany and her occupied surrounds, simply turn it in to a farcical watch.My polite advice. Avoid at all costs.

I recently viewed this film on cable TV. I found it interesting and it led me to do more research on some of the history of the era. Since I do not view movies from the prospect of the acting, scenery, etc. I found that this storyline does reflect what some experienced. It is certainly true that many objects'art were confiscated by the Nazis and it is certainly true that many lost their homes , businesses and lives. History later will reflect some of the same type of incidents from Iraqis who escaped Sadam's exploits. Since this movie was never to be a documentary, it does remind us of man's inhumanity toward man. And, we must never forget. Martin Landau is a great actor. While this movie may not have brought him awards, it is a chance to once again view his character-driven face which we have enjoyed in other venues.

My wife picked this up at the video store the other night. I am a WWII period movie junkie.I found the plot feasible, but unlikely. Himmler was too much of a controlling egomaniac to negotiate with a DIRTY JEW. He would have taken Krauzenberg Company and wealth and had him and his family killed. The actors playing the NAZI soldiers did a good job showing the cold disregard and hatred that Nazis had for anyone but their own.Martin Landau did a very good job playing Krauzenberg. He at least tried to have a German accent. Many of the other characters did not even attempt the accent, but instead sounded very British.As for the cinematography, it was very good. The editing is OK. The music is typical for this type of movie.The actor that played Himmler did a very good job with this role. It did help that he bore a striking resemblance to Himmler.Overall this is good period piece that reminds us of the events of the Nazis and JEWS during WWII.