Charlie Grant's War is a Canadian television film, directed by Martin Lavut and broadcast by CBC Television in 1985.[1] Set during World War II, the film stars R. H. Thomson as Charlie Grant, a Canadian activist and humanitarian who was living in Austria at the time of the war, and helped to smuggle over 600 Jews out of the country for their safety.[2]
| Charlie Grant's War | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Anna Sandor |
| Directed by | Martin Lavut |
| Starring | R. H. Thomson |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | William Gough |
| Cinematography | Vic Sarin |
| Editor | Myrtle Virgo |
| Running time | 125 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBC Television |
| Release | January 27, 1985 |
The film's cast also included Jean Archambault, Anthony Bekenn, Peter Boretski, Douglas Campbell, Marigold Charlesworth, Peter Dvorsky, Jan Rubeš, Vlasta Vrána, Louis Negin, Joan Orenstein and John Friesen.
The film had its television premiere on January 27, 1985.[1]
Plot
editShocked and horrified by the rising tide of anti-Semitism in war-torn Vienna, Grant uses his position as a diamond broker to obtain illegal passports and safe passage for hundreds of Jews. He is discovered, arrested by the Gestapo, and imprisoned in some of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps in Europe.[3]
Cast
edit- R. H. Thomson as Charlie Grant
- Jan Rubeš as Jacob Goldman
- Joan Orenstein as Elizabeth Goldman
- Peter Boretski as Paul Trefius
- Nicholas Rice as Peter Klein
- Marigold Charlesworth as Mrs. Grant
- Douglas Campbell as Manlus
- Belinda Metz as Christina Oswalt
- John Friesen as Fritz
- Heiner Pillar as Graebner
- Michael Fletcher as Max Boldt
- Annie Szamosi as Klara
- Larry Reynolds as William Lyon Mackenzie King
- Michael J. Reynolds as Blair
- Michael Tait as Harry Crerar
- Louis Negin as Otto Schmidt
- Peter Dvorsky as Con Man
- David Bolt as Epstein
- Jean Archambault as Andre
- Robin McCullough as Roland
- Joseph Cooper as Rabbi
- Charles Palmer as Priest
- Derek Keurvorst as Commandant
- Chris Bark as David
- Vlasta Vrána as Police Chief
- Glyn Evans as Tenor
- Rochelle Stern as Box Car Singer
- Brendan McKane as Canadian MP
Accolades and awards
editThe film received several ACTRA Award nominations at the 15th ACTRA Awards in 1986, including for Best TV Program, Best Actor (Thomson), Best Supporting Performance (Dvorsky, Rubeš) and Best Writing (Anna Sandor).[4] It won the awards for Best Program and Best Writing.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b Donald Martin, "A Canadian hero finally gets his due". The Globe and Mail, January 26, 1985.
- ^ "Charlie Grant's War". Halifax Chronicle-Herald, January 26, 1985.
- ^ Gibraltar Chronicle newspaper; 24/06/1989; Page 7 (TV Guide)
- ^ Henry Mietkiewicz, "Charlie Grant's war leads ACTRA race". Toronto Star, March 18, 1986.
- ^ Adele Freedman, "Charlie Grant's War is ACTRA's top show of the year: Nellie makes last stand brisk but chummy". The Globe and Mail, April 4, 1986.
External links
edit
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