Eine Freundschaft in Wien (1988) Online

A movie that would be welcome on DVD if it isn't out already.

The movie captures the harsh, anti-humanity of the Nazi movement, the illogic of their hatred, and the beastliness of their thug-like behaviour to intimidate opposition.

You get to know these two girls and then ache when adult jealousies and adult attitudes try to separate them. Lise's father and brother are motivated by hatred, Inge's mother and father are motivated by fear and concern for their daughter. All the while, the two girls bear up under the illogical division that's trying to spoil their special friendship.

In the end, did Lise's father succeed in spoiling it? It could have been anything else.

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.