The Man Who Captured Eichmann (1996)

A Major Disappointment

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

Brilliant portrayal of how Eichmann living under a fake identity in Argentina was considered an innocent kidnap victim by local authorities unaware of his true identity yet the Nazi hunters managed to sneak him and themselves out of the country by dressing in airline personnel uniforms when boarding that plane destined for Israel.

As the title implies, this isn't a film about Eichmann's trial and execution, it's about Malkin's role in the capture of Eichmann and his imprisonment before his flight to face his accusers. Made for TV movies are usually mediocre affairs, but in all honesty The Man Who Captured Eichmann is head & shoulders above average. This is largely due to the exceptional acting abilities of the two main protagonists, played by Robert Duvall and Arliss Howard. Duvall is superb as Eichmann, the bureaucratic SS pen pusher whose ruthless efficiency sent millions of innocent people to their deaths in the Nazi Europe of the 1940's. His physical likeness is uncanny, and he does a fine job with the German accent and Eichmann's cold, matter-of-fact mannerisms. Howard is equally as impressive as Malkin, the Israeli Secret Service agent whostrikes up conversations with his captive at their hideout in Argentina, following Eichmann's capture. He is very impressive portraying his character's roller-coaster ride of emotions, from bewilderment and frustration to despair, anger and loss. The movie itself is good in that it keeps things simple, from a short intro showing how the Israeli's learned of Eichmann's hideout, to the formation of the team sent to Argentina to kidnap Eichmann and bring him to Israel to stand trial for his horrendous crimes against humanity. It wastes no time in getting to the high point of the piece, the abduction of Eichmann outside his modest home in a Buenos Aires suburb. The remainder of the movie sees Malkin go against his directives and strike up a relationship with his quarry, asking the questions that have haunted him since the war, such as "how did it happen", "why did it happen", and "why you?". The performances are spellbinding. Highly recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in the subject matter or anyone who enjoys marveling at performers at the top of their game.

I think it was a reasonably interesting film. However, the majority of the film focuses on the relationship between Eichmann and one of his captors. The film could have been excellent if the very best character actors ever were used. Robert Duvall is good but he is not in the same league as De Niro or Pacino.I'm not suggesting that they should have played the part but you need a method actor for a character as complex as that. Some things were not convincing - the two weren't supposed to talk (were the doors sound proofed that no one knew) and where was the tension involved in this. Eichmanns family were looking for him but no real tension there - everyone knows the outcome. Perhaps the filmmakers should have bent the truth a bit and had the Israeli headquarters nearly discovered.Why were there so many characters on the Israeli team with none really given a chance to make an impression on the viewer?I kept waiting for something to happen really, some account of Eichmanns trial but it just ends with him flying off to Israel.

Sorry for my English...For a while, I've been reading all the books available that talks about Eichmann. I wanted to know more about the man after the war and before his trial. I've read the book 'Eichmann in my hands (by Peter Malkin)' and 'Capturer Eichmann (Capture Eichmann)' in french. I was so surprise when I saw the movie. It was exactly (well 95%) the same as the book. When I saw Robert Duvall play Eichmann, my god, he looks like him. A very good actor. The same accent, moves, nervous ways, everything like Eichmann (if you saw the movie 'The specialist' the trial of Eichmann. The man who play Peter Malkin is very good too. Very committed. The way he looks at Eichmann, like he wants to kill him, but he don't, his eyes are expressive. When the actors are together in the bedroom, talking each order, there's no cameras. Well, see that movie, and read the book after or the best is to read the book before and watch the movie after. It's almost the same, very respectful to the book.