A FRIENDSHIP IN VIENNA

US, 1988, 100 minutes, Colour.
Jane Alexander, Ed Asner, Jenny Lewis, Stephen Macht, Rosemary Forsyth, Ferdy Mayne.
Directed by Arthur Seidelman.

A Friendship in Vienna is a fine telemovie highlighting a friendship between two young girls in Vienna, 1938. It was produced for cable television by the Disney Studios. It has a strong cast including Jane Alexander and Stephen Macht as the parents, Edward Asner as the old grandfather.

The film recreates the atmosphere of Vienna before the Anschluss. It shows the life of the Jews, the unwillingness of many Jews to face Hitler's approach and the annexation of Austria. It also shows the growing tide of anti-Semitism. In the middle of this is the friendship between the young Catholic girl and the Jewish girl despite the pressures of family.

The film reminds us of the history of the 20th century - but via a heart-warming story and emotional appreciation of friendship and what Hitler's rise to power meant.

1.Interesting and entertaining telemovie? For a wide audience, especially a family audience? The value of serious themes being dramatised for the wide audience?

2.The city of Vienna, homes, cathedrals, workplaces, the streets? Authentic atmosphere? 1938 and the rise of the Nazis? The re-creation of historical atmosphere? Musical score?

3.The title, the focus on the two girls and their families? In the context of war? The importance of the framework of the movie with the flashback and Inge's memories of those times and what they meant? The small treasures and gifts that were valued as part of the memories?

4.Inge and her family, her love for her mother and father, for her grandfather? Her friendship with Lisa at school? Outside school? Going to the cathedral, meeting the priest? The growing tensions - and her parents not wanting her to mix with Lisa because of her family? Franz and his not wanting to face the coming realities? Hannah and her work, her breaking her leg, hospital? Recovery? The discovery that Lisa's brother caused the accident? The strictness about not seeing Lisa? The two girls at school, the friendship and confidences? Lisa's absence, the letter, the photo? Her return? Inge's momentary disillusion because of Nazism and Lisa's family? Lisa's bewilderment as to what would happen? the growing pressure on the family, the Anschluss, prejudice in school, violent reactions, the marches and demonstrations, the injury of her cousin and his death? The preparation to leave, her grandfather going? Packing - the farewell to Lisa? The train departing from the station? A special friendship in terrible times?

5.Lisa and her friendship with Inge, at school, out of school and shared experiences? Introducing Father Bernard? Lisa and her family, her father a Nazi official, his sternness with her? Beating her? Her brother and his terrorist acts? The transfer to Munich? Her keeping in touch, return, her bewilderment as to what to do? Inge's reaction against her? The gift of the Jewish star? The confession about her brother causing Hannah's injury? The farewell? Moving into the future and the war?

6.Grandfather Oscar, his place in the household, love for Inge? Care for Hannah, challenging of Franz? The Anschluss, the soldiers coming and taking Franz and Oscar, their having to wash away the graffiti? Their being allowed to return home? Persecution? The decision to go? His unwillingness - going on the train? Being ready to welcome his family in Yugoslavia, going to America?

7.The preparations to go, the visit to the consulate, the Yugoslavs unwilling to take Jews? Franz and his failure? Hannah and her flirtatious way? Declaring they were Catholics? Going on holidays? The link with Father Bernard, Lisa going to confession, requesting the baptism? His friendship, the place of the church, religious dilemma? His decision to baptise Hannah and Franz and Inge? Predating their documents and allowing them to go?

8.The classroom at the school, the teacher and her sympathies, the Nazi girls and their reactions? The Anschluss and their superiority? The prejudice against Inge and her going to the back of the classroom, Lisa going with her? The disbanding of the school?

9.Lisa's family, the severity of the father, the Nazi official, his cruelty towards his daughter? His subservient wife? The son and his involvement in persecuting the Jews? Their Catholic background?

10.The young man and his blackmail of the family, his being the courier from the firm and the dismissal of Hannah? His wanting a great deal of money? Their fending him off? His pursuit as they fled? The contrast with the Jewish young men, the protests in the streets, street violence, Cousin Tom's coma and death?

11.The evocation of difficult times? Audiences experiencing the times through the children, their friendship, the effects on families, having to flee the country?