Varian's War

Name: Varian's War
Genre: Drama
Released: TODO_MISSING

2001, Drama, 2h 1m

4 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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Varian's War Photos

(L-R) Matt Craven (Beamish), William Hurt (Varian Fry) and Julia Ormond (Miriam Davenport) star in Lionel Chetwynd's Varian's War, an Odeon films release.

Writer/Director Lionel Chetwynd on the set of Varian's War, and Odeon Films release.

William Hurt (Varian Fry) and Julia Ormond (Miriam Davenport) star in Lionel Chetwynd's Varian's War, an Odeon films release.

William Hurt (Varian Fry) stars in Lionel Chetwynd's Varian's War, an Odeon films release.

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Movie Info

New York editor Varian Fry (William Hurt) builds an underground network to save European artists from Nazi persecution during World War II.

Rating:

TVPG (V|D)
Genre:

Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Lionel Chetwynd
Producer:

Michael Deakin, Kevin Tierney
Writer:

Lionel Chetwynd
Release Date (Theaters):

Apr 22, 2001 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Jun 18, 2002
Runtime:

2h 1m
Distributor:

Odeon Films
Production Co:

Gryphon Films, Ardent Productions, Barwood Films, Ardglasson Productions, NewShowtime

Cast & Crew

William Hurt
Varian Fry

Julia Ormond
Miriam Davenport

Matt Craven
Beamish

Maury Chaykin
Marcello

Alan Arkin
Freier

Lynn Redgrave
Alma Mahler Gropius Werfel

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Varian's War

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (2)

Full Review… Steven Oxman Variety

Full Review… Globe and Mail

Full Review… Janet Branagan Apollo Guide

Full Review… Susan Granger rec.arts.movies.reviews

View All Critic Reviews (0)

Audience Reviews for Varian's War

Apr 07, 2011

An American intellectual arranges the escape of European intellectuals from unoccupied France during the beginning of WWII. Once again, William Hurt turns in a fantastic performance. As Varian, he must alternatively play the inspirational soldier, the gay fop, and the determined crusader, and he does it all with the characteristic Hurt charm and distinctive mannerisms. And next time you see a Hurt film be sure to notice his unwavering gaze, signifying he is constantly in the moment and present in the scene. The film itself leaves something to be desired. Varian's mission, to rescue only intellectuals and artists, is definitionally elitist, and I wish there was more attention or recognition of this fact in the film's action. All we get are brief scenes of Varian and his cohorts lamenting that they can't take all who need to flee, but there is no substantive challenge of his character. Also, director Lionel Chetwynd's Nazi Germany is not nearly as dangerous or brutal as other depictions. Perhaps Chetwynd expects us to bring to the film pre-conceived notions of Nazi Germany and feels no necessity to show the horrors. But what comes across instead is a slight menace, devoid of the real danger facing these people. And as the characters escape, they do so through the pastoral of scenes. Such a depiction doesn't reflect what reality must have been like and certainly doesn't equate to compelling drama. Overall, see this film to see why William Hurt is such a strong actor, all the while attempting to ignore the structural and thematic issues.

Jim H Super Reviewer