The Aryan Couple (2004 film)
Encyclopedia
The Aryan Couple is a 2004
drama
directed by John Daly
. It was the director's ninth film and motion picture to be released by Atlantic Film Productions. The film's story line is set in 1944, during World War II, and is about a Jewish Hungarian industrialist who, in order to ensure his large family's safe passage out of the Third Reich, is forced to hand over his business to the Nazis.
) is a very wealthy Hungarian Jewish industrial tycoon whose fortune is mirrored in the great palaces he owns. However, by 1944 his important businesses are needed by the Nazis and Hitler's 'Final Solution' is sweeping through Europe.
The Nazi's are greedy to accumulate wealth as easily as possible, and under the terms of the Third Reich's "Europa Plan," Krauzenberg arranges with Nazi leaders to exchange his fortune, his business holdings (textile plants, steel mills, ownership of several banks) and a collection of rare art for safe passage to Switzerland for himself, his wife Rachel (Judy Parfitt
), and their family. As the night of transaction approaches, Krauzenberg visits his large family being held by the Gestapo, and reassures them that all will be safe.
Such is Krauzenberg's wealth and power that when he agrees to sign over his property, it is two of the most powerful men in the Nazi regime who announce they will be coming to his house to handle the paperwork - Adolf Eichmann (Steven Mackintosh) and Heinrich Himmler (Danny Webb).
However, as the Nazi leaders are ushered into Krauzenberg's home, they are struck by something unusual - his two most trusted servants, Hans Vassmann (Kenny Doughty
) and his wife Ingrid (Caroline Carver
) are a married Aryan couple who, despite the law, are still working for Jews.
As it happens, Eichmann and Himmler's suspicions are well-founded -- despite appearing to be the perfect Aryan couple, Hans and Ingrid are actually Jews working deep undercover with the underground Resistance. Young, married, in love and expecting their first child, they work as valet and maid for the elderly Jewish couple. They have everything to look forward to or so they would have believed.
In a sub-plot one of the officers, Edelhein (Christopher Fulford), the most repulsive of the group, pursues Ingrid Vassman - despite her pregnancy - as a perfect foil for implanting his precious seed in the 'Aryan beauty' to populate the new Germany.
As they serve the Nazis in their secret mission, Hans and Ingrid toy with the idea that they should kill Eichmann and Himmler for the greater good, even if it would mean certain death for the Krauzenbergs and themselves. Instead, the Vassmans, who express their admiration for the Krauzenbergs, ultimately confessing that they are Jewish and wish to escape with the Krauzenbergs, place their fate in the hands of the Krauzenbergs. Nothing can be done immediately - "if we had known we could have placed you on the list of people to come with us" (meaning escape to Switzerland. The remainder of the movie shows what happens to the couple after their benefactor has left the country and how, ultimately, the Vassmans are saved.)
While The Aryan Couple is fictional, it was inspired by actual events, and the existence of the "Europa Plan" has been documented, though no one appears to have been saved from death through its application.
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
directed by John Daly
John Daly
John Daly may refer to:*John Daly , former colonial Anglican bishop* J. Burrwood Daly , U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania* John Charles Daly , veteran radio & TV newsman and television host on What's My Line? 1950–1967...
. It was the director's ninth film and motion picture to be released by Atlantic Film Productions. The film's story line is set in 1944, during World War II, and is about a Jewish Hungarian industrialist who, in order to ensure his large family's safe passage out of the Third Reich, is forced to hand over his business to the Nazis.
Plot
Joseph Krauzenberg (Martin LandauMartin Landau
Martin Landau is an American film and television actor. Landau began his career in the 1950s. His early films include a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest . He played continuing roles in the television series Mission: Impossible and Space:1999...
) is a very wealthy Hungarian Jewish industrial tycoon whose fortune is mirrored in the great palaces he owns. However, by 1944 his important businesses are needed by the Nazis and Hitler's 'Final Solution' is sweeping through Europe.
The Nazi's are greedy to accumulate wealth as easily as possible, and under the terms of the Third Reich's "Europa Plan," Krauzenberg arranges with Nazi leaders to exchange his fortune, his business holdings (textile plants, steel mills, ownership of several banks) and a collection of rare art for safe passage to Switzerland for himself, his wife Rachel (Judy Parfitt
Judy Parfitt
Judy Parfitt is a BAFTA-nominated English theatre, film and television actress who began her career on stage in 1954.-Life and work:...
), and their family. As the night of transaction approaches, Krauzenberg visits his large family being held by the Gestapo, and reassures them that all will be safe.
Such is Krauzenberg's wealth and power that when he agrees to sign over his property, it is two of the most powerful men in the Nazi regime who announce they will be coming to his house to handle the paperwork - Adolf Eichmann (Steven Mackintosh) and Heinrich Himmler (Danny Webb).
However, as the Nazi leaders are ushered into Krauzenberg's home, they are struck by something unusual - his two most trusted servants, Hans Vassmann (Kenny Doughty
Kenny Doughty
Kenny Doughty is an English actor who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Married to the actress Caroline Carver.-Filmography as Director:-Filmography as Actor:...
) and his wife Ingrid (Caroline Carver
Caroline Carver (actor)
Caroline Carver is an English actress. Best known for the roles of many British television/movies including Ingrid in The Aryan Couple and Sandy in My First Wedding and Princess Jessica in the TV movie The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns. She is married to fellow actor Kenny...
) are a married Aryan couple who, despite the law, are still working for Jews.
As it happens, Eichmann and Himmler's suspicions are well-founded -- despite appearing to be the perfect Aryan couple, Hans and Ingrid are actually Jews working deep undercover with the underground Resistance. Young, married, in love and expecting their first child, they work as valet and maid for the elderly Jewish couple. They have everything to look forward to or so they would have believed.
In a sub-plot one of the officers, Edelhein (Christopher Fulford), the most repulsive of the group, pursues Ingrid Vassman - despite her pregnancy - as a perfect foil for implanting his precious seed in the 'Aryan beauty' to populate the new Germany.
As they serve the Nazis in their secret mission, Hans and Ingrid toy with the idea that they should kill Eichmann and Himmler for the greater good, even if it would mean certain death for the Krauzenbergs and themselves. Instead, the Vassmans, who express their admiration for the Krauzenbergs, ultimately confessing that they are Jewish and wish to escape with the Krauzenbergs, place their fate in the hands of the Krauzenbergs. Nothing can be done immediately - "if we had known we could have placed you on the list of people to come with us" (meaning escape to Switzerland. The remainder of the movie shows what happens to the couple after their benefactor has left the country and how, ultimately, the Vassmans are saved.)
While The Aryan Couple is fictional, it was inspired by actual events, and the existence of the "Europa Plan" has been documented, though no one appears to have been saved from death through its application.
- Trivia Kenny DoughtyKenny DoughtyKenny Doughty is an English actor who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Married to the actress Caroline Carver.-Filmography as Director:-Filmography as Actor:...
won Best Actor at the Palm Beach International Film FestivalPalm Beach International Film FestivalThe Palm Beach International Film Festival is a film festival in the United States held in Palm Beach, Florida which showcases over 120 films annually in April for over 20,000 attendees...
for his performance as Hans Vassman in 2005.