Opertaion Finale tells the true story of the capture of one of the holocaust's architects in a daring operation carried out in the 60's by Israel's Mossad.
I did enjoy watching Operation Finale, but as I watched it, more and more questions about the conduct of the operation came into mind, and by the time I was done watching, I felt that there's no way that this is an accurate depiction of the events. It bothered me a little, so I checked online to read the true version of events, and boy- was reality more exciting and riveting then the story told on the screen! Why rewrite exciting events and replace them with dull nonsensical plot devices? I don't know, but it does hurt the film.
The real drama concerning the Operation should have come before the apprehension of Eichman. For a struggling 12 year-old nation like Israel, to mount such a daring and remote operation on the other end of the earth was no small feat.
Instead, the drama focuses on what happens in the window between Eichman's capture and before he is transferred to Israel for trial. The biggest problem here is how silly (and utterly untrue) the reason driving this whole drama: The agents have to get Eichman to sign a document giving his consent to be tried in in Israel, or the airline company won't allow him on board the plane!
That's right! They flew on a covert mission across the globe, forged identities and passports, kidnapped a Nazi from his home to face justice for one of mankind's greatest atrocities ever committed- but now they must face the biggest obstacle of all: bureaucracy!
Couldn't they just forge his signature? The movie gives an incredibly silly answer here as well: "They don't know what it looks like!" (but the airline company does)?
And so, for half the movie, a battle of wits ensues around a silly event that never happened.
In reality, the agents hid in the safehouse because they where bound to the plane's original schedule, and had to endure Eichman for days- which proved to be hard and unsettling. He was so forthcoming with his monstrous crimes and actions that he willingly signed the document- which was of no real consequence (certainly not to the airline company).
There are many other details that where altered for the movie, and it's a real shame. The true story was far superior and more exciting.
In the end i wonder if this movie does a disservice to the true, amazing, story.
I did enjoy watching Operation Finale, but as I watched it, more and more questions about the conduct of the operation came into mind, and by the time I was done watching, I felt that there's no way that this is an accurate depiction of the events. It bothered me a little, so I checked online to read the true version of events, and boy- was reality more exciting and riveting then the story told on the screen! Why rewrite exciting events and replace them with dull nonsensical plot devices? I don't know, but it does hurt the film.
The real drama concerning the Operation should have come before the apprehension of Eichman. For a struggling 12 year-old nation like Israel, to mount such a daring and remote operation on the other end of the earth was no small feat.
Instead, the drama focuses on what happens in the window between Eichman's capture and before he is transferred to Israel for trial. The biggest problem here is how silly (and utterly untrue) the reason driving this whole drama: The agents have to get Eichman to sign a document giving his consent to be tried in in Israel, or the airline company won't allow him on board the plane!
That's right! They flew on a covert mission across the globe, forged identities and passports, kidnapped a Nazi from his home to face justice for one of mankind's greatest atrocities ever committed- but now they must face the biggest obstacle of all: bureaucracy!
Couldn't they just forge his signature? The movie gives an incredibly silly answer here as well: "They don't know what it looks like!" (but the airline company does)?
And so, for half the movie, a battle of wits ensues around a silly event that never happened.
In reality, the agents hid in the safehouse because they where bound to the plane's original schedule, and had to endure Eichman for days- which proved to be hard and unsettling. He was so forthcoming with his monstrous crimes and actions that he willingly signed the document- which was of no real consequence (certainly not to the airline company).
There are many other details that where altered for the movie, and it's a real shame. The true story was far superior and more exciting.
In the end i wonder if this movie does a disservice to the true, amazing, story.