Customer Reviews

The Couple

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The basic story of The Couple takes place during World War II in Nazi Germany and centers on a German couple that works for a wealthy Jewish industrialist who because of his wealth, is afforded a chance to "buy" his freedom from the Nazis. Without going into too much detail, I found that this movie had the right amount of suspense, tension, action and emotion -once I got over the thick British accents from all of the characters in this film.

The backdrop, scenery and sets were gorgeous, and if you want to see a movie about Love, hope and the determination of the human spirit in the face of evil, this definitely one to see!

...I say this is a great DVD/movie....I thrive on WW2 subject matter, etc...Martin Landau was excellent, Judy Parritt as his wife stood out and Caroline Carver kept your rapt attention in every scene she was presented...all of the 'German/SS actors' were spellbinding with their ruthlessness and sadistic cunning in regards to European Jewry...highly engrossing and entertaining film for the ages...the created anticipation had you short of breath most of this screening....Landau in his senior years before the camera is at the top of his avocation...terrific actor.....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

This movie was excellent, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes WWII and the behind the scenes events that took place.

This story highlights a wealthy business man who employed 3,000 Germans, and the negotiations between himself and high ranking officials within German Army.

THe young couple that works for them are German (we are led to believe) but the true story takes an interesting turn when we find out that this couple are Jewish as well.

Great Movie!

Set during the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, the plot is about the twists, turns and challenges of a wealthy Jewish industrialist's efforts to "buy" the lives of his family from the Nazis. The range of emotion expressed by Martin Landau's face should have won him an Academy Award nomination, in my opinion. I felt that the other actors did a fine job as well. This movie's authentic-looking sets, costumes, period vehicles, aircraft and military equipment helps to transport the viewer to that era.

The fact that the actors portraying Germans were speaking British English does require a suspension of belief, but I thought the movie had the right balance of surprises, tension and uplifting moments to hold my interest and attention right to the end. If you admire celebrating the indomitable human spirit battling against adversity I believe you'll find this movie uplifting. The ending will not disappoint.

I own a LOT of WWI and WWII movies and documentaries. I collect militaria, I reenact both WWI and WWII impressions, and I am very picky about movies for historical accuracy and getting things "right." When I picked up "The Couple" I expected it to be a rather typical Holocaust movie. To the lightweight historian, it likely is, but to those of us who are seriously into Third Reich history, this is an amazingly well done film. Whomever their historical advisor was, he was extremely well versed in uniforms and equipment. The little things in the background jumped out at me and it was stuff I haven't seen in a lot of "big" budget films.

I won't go into the story itself, it's very good and the plot is very well developed throughout. It deals with Himmler's interactions with wealthy Jews who bought their way out of the Holocaust. This did occur on numerous occasions, but I believe this particular story is largely fabricated. All that aside, the story is entirely plausible and accurate to how these arrangements were conducted. The fellow playing Himmler was perhaps just a touch too aggressive, but only at times - overall, I think he did a great job of portraying Himmler.

This is one of the only movies I've seen that sheds light on the tension that existed between Heinrich Himmler and Adolf Eichmann. In truth, after the death of Heydrich, Eichmann and Himmler were increasingly at odds with each other, especially in the later stages of the war. Also illustrated is the general contempt and distrust between members officers of the SS and of the SD. This leads to a very nice ending scene.

What impressed me most about this film, and this may seem trivial but it's big to me, is that they got the uniforms right! That hardly ever happens. The guys manning gates and checkpoints are Shutzpolizei troops, the "heavies" are SD guys, the less-heavies are SS guys. There are Reichsbahn uniforms on the train guys, scenes with teens wearing correct HJ uniforms (even their leader has a correct uniform), feldgendarmerie troops milling about with regular Heer guys, you name it! Extremely impressive to me, and again something I've NEVER seen in any other movie, the German officers on the borders are wearing the correct Customs Officers uniforms - whoa! I know, this sounds like I'm an accuracy geek, but I am, sorry.

The only down side to the movie is that it's a British production and all the Germans speak with a British accent! Oh well, can't have it all! Highly recommend this movie!

This story will have you on the edge of your seat. What people are willing to do for those who needed to be saved who where innocent...they should never have needed to be saved but we know it happened anyway.

The love and compassion shown will have you in tears. The nazi's will make you so angry.

A must see for mature Holocaust movie viewer's.

Tension and suspense were constant, along with the flavor of local scenery. Good portrayal of the willingness of Nazis for sadistic behavior, along with the possibility for ethical actions from the "bad" guys.

EXCELLENT MOVIE - 5 STAR
EVERYBODY MUST SEE IT

AS MUCH AS I KNOW IT BASED ON THROU EVENTS

HIGHLY RECOMENDED

Excellent movie. Am frequent movie goer. Don't recall this film ever being offered in mainstream theatres. Big improvement over many. Thank you for offering this film for purchase. Great service.

This is an excellently cast movie with gorgeous film
locations, plot twists, and surprises. You will loathe
the Nazis, and your heart will ache for the Jews. This
film, based on a true story, is beautifully portrayed
and enlightens the viewer to the bravery of the Jews
in Nazi occupied Hungary, and of the enormous personal
sacrifices this family made to ensure their family was
not sent to the gas chambers. Accurate period drama of
BBC calibre. Fit for family viewing of children 8 and
up; contains no swearing or bedroom romps.