Comparisons to Spielberg's "Schindler's List" will invariably pop up anytime anyone discusses "Varian's War." Of course there is no comparison, Spielberg is a master. His film is genius. But putting it aside and concentrating on this film, one finds a rich and powerful film about a similar topic, namely the aiding of Jews in escaping occupied Europe. This film is based on another true story about a heroic civilian whom did just such work.

Varian Fry is an American travelling in Europe in the late 30's. He witnesses first hand the destruction and pillaging of the Jewish community by Nazi thugs while in Germany. These scenes, early in the film, are haunting. Director Lionel Chetwynd creates a startling and unbearable image of young uniformed thugs terrorizing Jews on the street. This is nothing like what we have scene before with disturbing and realistic images of Jews being taunted, raped, humiliated and mistreated shown. Chetwynd is cautious and, thankfully, only grazes the issue. To delve too deeply into these images and historical moments would be far to unbearable for us. What we see, the brief glimpse and the momentary interlude is more than enough. We are heartbroken and aghast. We understand immediately how Fry feels. When he returns to America and tries to find a way to become involved in aiding these people, he is as shocked and surprised by his peers reactions as we are. Here, too, "Varian's War" offers insight to a much little discussed situation about WWII, namely that many Americans, perhaps for far too long, tried to remain neutral during the war. Likewise, the film mentions that there were as many supporters of Hitler as there were of the Jews and other undesirables here in the states in the pre-war days. This is territory often overlooked and dismissed by history. Chetwynd gets it just right by discussing it but not dwelling on it. Instead, he focuses on his main character and allows us a beautiful and impassioned speech by Fry that rallies his peers to help. The dialogue by Chetwynd, who also scripts here, for Fry is poetic and empowering.

Once set upon his plight and headed into the field, so to speak, Fry finds many allies to his cause, the most important of which is Eleanor Roosevelt. Fry, with those who are helping him, agree that the best course would be to attempt to aid the escape of only those most famous artistic and intellectual persons in need. In other words, he decides to try and save the cream of the crop. The most well-known name of these is Marc Chagall, the famous painter, but many other names known to the intelligentsia is included. Fry's mission, once he begins, is to travel to what is supposedly unoccupied France and attempt to aid these individuals. Once there, of course, Fry discovers that he has quite a challenge on his hands.

William Hurt is simply awesome as Varian Fry. His portrayal is amazing. Cast in a role that requires him to be intelligent, crafty, and emotional, hurt must also play the character that Fry played in France, that of a foppish dandy do-gooder. He must appear harmless to the German and French authorities that he is trying to deceive. Hurt is impeccable in this role. The performance he gives here is Oscar worthy.

Numerous supporting players who help to make the film so amazing surround Hurt. Chief among these is Lynn Redgrave as Alma Werfel, the widow of Gustav Mahler. But actors like Julia Ormond, Alan Arkin, Matt Craven and others work within the film to engage and inform us. This is an ensemble cast of awesome talent and enough accolades cannot be heaped upon them.

"Varian's War" is an important film and everyone involved does everything exactly right. This film received worldwide distribution except for the United States, where it airs on Showtime. The cable outlet would be wise to release it theatrically in art houses here in the states after it's television premiere. It's that good. It's that important.

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