THE HOUSE ON GARIBALDI STREET

US, 1979, 96 minutes, Colour.
Nick Mancuso, Chaim Topol, Martin Balsam, Leo McKern?, Janet Suzman, Charles Gray.
Directed by Peter Collinson.

The House on Garibaldi Street was one of the last films made by prolific director Peter Collinson. He made many films over fifteen years in many parts of the world, including Australia with The Earthling. The film shows the search for Adolf Eichmann, the trap for him in Argentina and his being kidnapped from Argentina for trial in Israel. The film is based on the memoirs of Isser Harel, the Chief of Israeli Intelligence.

The film is emotional, was made in the atmosphere of the very popular television series Holocaust and is sympathetic to the Jewish searching out and extraditing of war criminals. There is an international cast led by Topol. Martin Balsam is Harel, Leo McKern? has a short role as Ben Gurion and Alfred Burke gives an interesting performance as Eichmann. Screenplay was written by Steve Shagan, writer of screenplays like Hustle and author of the novel and screenplay of The Formula. This might have been an effective detective story but the film opts for the melodrama of chase and kidnap plot.

1. Audience knowledge of and interest in Nazi war criminals, the long decades of search for criminals and their being brought to trial? The receding background of World War Two. the persecution of the Nazis, the Jews and the holocaust? Audience knowledge of Eichmann? The impact of this material in the late 1970s?

2. The use of Israeli and Spanish locations for South America? The atmosphere of the early '60s, the look of South America, atmosphere and feel? The Musical score and its atmosphere?

3. The use of an international cast - how effectively? The Israeli view point, the moralising dialogue? The technique of using names and dates? Documentary tone, impact of sentiment and horror?

4. The authenticity of the film - based on Harel's memoirs? The establishing of characters by information? The credits? The character of Harel and his discussions with Ben Gurion? The transition from Israel to Buenos Aires? The management of the investigation, the kidnap, getting Eichmann out of Argentina? Harel's control of the operation, the final decisions at the airport?

5. Collaboration between Israel and Germany? Information given from Germany about war criminals? The relationship of Israel and Germany from World War Two, through the War Trials, the seeking out of the criminals, their trials? The Israeli squads for capturing prisoners of war? The personalities involved in such squads? Their memories - especially of concentration camps? Wanting justice to be done? Attitude towards world interest, world apathy? The importance of bringing like Eichmann to trial in the '60s? How much justice, how much vengeance? The reality of the neo-Nazis in South America? Collaboration of the Argentinian Secret Police?

6. The choice of Topol for the central character? His reputation in Israel, throughout the world? The particularly Israeli emphasis of the film through him? The character of Michael - his ideal, dedication, discovery of Eichmann’s whereabouts, his methods, photography, following Eichmann, the elaboration of the plan, the capture, the treatment, listening to the tapes, the strong feelings and wanting to execute justice, the suspense of waiting? Collaboration with Ari, Hedda and the other members of the group? The significance of his achievement? The type of justice he represented?

7. The variety of people in the group: Ari and his emotionless contribution, his explanation of his story? Hedda and her looking after Eichmann? Her relationship with the members of the group? Lazar, the fat man. the ~ pilot? The deals, the range of negotiations? Establishing of information. following suspects. false passports, disguises, accidents? The final collaboration of the Argentinian airport official?

8. The Nazis in Argentina - their way of escape.. establishing a new life., bringing up their families, their seclusion and hidden identities, covers for working, establishing wealth? Eichmann and his work and family? The Generals like Lischke and their success in Latin America? The neo-Nazi movement?

9. Eichmann and their discovery of him, the clues, the ruse of the gifts? His capture? His wanting to collaborate, his asking for wine, eating the rice? His speaking on tape? The build-up of his ideas? The disbelief about his methods about his methods in the concentration camp and his calm presentation of these in the name of humanity: the Strauss music, the better poison? His aims in the concentration camp? His personal jealousy at not being raised in the Nazi hierarchy? The figure of pathos?

10. The growing information about the Nazis, their ethos.. attitude towards the Jews, the horror of the holocaust? The placement of Michaels story, Ari's story?

11. General Lischke and his hold over the police in Argentina? The police and their pressures? Examination of documents?

12. The success of the plan., the accident, the smuggling of Eichmann onto the plane., the suspense of the plane being held, the split-second decisions and responsibilities?

13. The information about the aftermath of Eichmann's trial? Justice being done, being seen to be done? The response of the world?

14. The impact of the film as a slice of history. as melodrama, as a late 20th. century reflection on the events of World War Two?