Conspiracy

For many people a business conference is a mundane thing. For those far enough up the corporate ladder it is not unusual for the meeting to include a nicely furbished buffet table presenting coffee, pastries and other delectable treats. The participants of the meeting slip their coffee, munch on the while discussing matters of corporate importance. In 1942 a conference very much like those just describe took place in Wannseem a cozy suburb of Berlin. Men gathered around the conference table debating a proposed solution to an already identified problem. Differentiating this particular meeting from any like it in history was a simple matter. The men in attendance were senior ranking Nazis and the topic on the agenda was the final solution for the ‘Jewish problem’. It was here that one of the most heinous chapters in humanity’s long history was set in motion; the holocaust of World War Two. This event was depicted in the chillingly accurate depiction in the HBO original film, ‘Conspiracy’. In many ways this is a horror film but instead of some supernatural killer on the loose dispatching a few teenagers these were businessmen, administrators and military leaders calmly, for the most part dispassionately discussing the most efficient was to murder millions of innocent people. What is absolutely frightening here is if you turn off the sound you very well could very well be looking at a ground of men discussing the coming corporate profit projection of whether a new product line should be considered. HBO is best known for their cutting edge original series; ‘The Sopranos’, ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Oz’ have pushed the limits with sex and violence creating what most consider some of the best television ever. This premium cable network has also made a name for themselves with films that rival anything made for theatrical release in content and quality. Made for TV flick was once the forgotten child of the entertainment industry but movies like this prove the veracity of the claim; ‘It’s not television, it’s HBO’.

This incredible screenplay was written by the much lauded writer, Loring Mandel. She has a long list of accomplishments on some of the best dramatic anthology series including ‘Playhouse 90’ and ‘CBS Playhouse’. Her teleplay for this film added to her long list of awards with an Emmy win. I remember coming across this movie while channel surfing late one night. What made me pause was the sight of some of my favorite actors namely Kenneth Branagh and Stanley Tucci. What kept me riveted to the screen was the amazingly tightly woven, gripping dialogue. Once I realized the topic of the story I was already firmly hooked, unable to press the next channel button. It should be noted that although the Nazis were generally almost obsessive in their record keeping almost nothing except one document pertaining to the actual Wannsee Conference was kept. As such most of what is depicted here is conjecture aside from its date, January 20, 1942, who was present and of course the ultimate consensus that was reached. Usually I have a fair amount of distain from playing fast and loose with history but this production is so well done and plausible that the usual objections can be mitigated in this instance. One factor that undoubtedly helped in this matter was Mandel’s previous involvement in historically based drama. Frank Pierson spent a considerable amount of his career as a writer but did make a name as one of the regular directors for the classic TV western, ‘Have Gun Will Travel’. It has been noted that In order to increase the realistic feel of the film fixed wall sets were employed, sets without the standard removable walls that expedite camera angles. Reportedly the cast remained in costumes to facilitate the general feel of their characters, these may seem to be minor points but they are indicative of the intense stage training and professionalism of this cast and how well they worked with their director.

The high end business meeting motif is established immediately, from the initial shot of the film/. Servants are shown scurrying about setting the table with the finest linen and crystal, preparing gourmet food and calligraphy place cards for the soon to be arriving guests. Nervously a waiter drops a plate of food to the dismay of the official in charge of the infrastructure of the meeting, Col. Adolf Eichmann (Stanley Tucci). Observing the mishap with distain his immediate concern is that there is still enough food for the event and that the waiter pays for the waste. Tucci perfectly captures this infamous person’s well known stern and efficient manner seating the stage for what is to come. Slowly the men arrive. There is a perfunctory exchange of salutes as fine wine is decanted and cigars lit. the men break into small groups making small talk as they wait for the main participant of the meeting General Reinhard Heydrich (Kenneth Branagh). As with the corporate equivalent the men jockey for dominant positions until the undisputed alpha of the pack struts in immediately taking charge. Kenneth Branagh id his generation’s greatest Shakespearean actor and those long, arduous years of honing his craft are well evident here. He assumes the character’s persona with the ease of donning an old pair of slippers. Branagh exudes a confidence befitting the unchanged position of his character like a king descending from his throne to walk among those beneath him.

The reason for the gather is presented; the Jews of Germany and other occupied counties present a growing problem to the third Reich. Heydrich wastes no time display his authority even over those of technically superior rank. He also establishes that what is about to be discussed is top secret and going further he designates Eichmann in charge of ‘Jewish affairs’. The discussion rapidly addresses the issue covering several options ranging from forced sterilization and what if any considerations should be made for those of mixed race. Wilhelm Stuckart (Colin Firth), a lawyer representing the Interior Ministry insists that even in a dictatorship the rule of law must be obeyed. He also is in direct conflict with another lawyer present, Gerhard Klopfer (Ian McNeice) over the very nature of the Jew with Klopfer of the opinion they are animalistic while Stuckart maintains they are devious and manipulative with their own agenda. Heydrich intervened calling for a break to take Stuckart to the side assuring him that his hindrance to the matter at hand will not go well for him. Heydrich is very adept at maintain a smiling demeanor while getting a sinister point across. Once the decision is made to simply snuff out millions of lives it is frightening just how detached the details such as efficiency of methodology, transport and body disposal are covered.

The performances here are remarkable. This is one of the best possible casts ever assembled. The setting and background of many of the actors gives the look and feel of an elaborate stage play. This only adds to the frightening nature of the film. There are many monsters in this story far worse than any of the nightmarish creations of Hollywood. Such figments of the nightmarish imagination such as Jason or Freddy pale when compared to this group. The men here had a nicely catered buffet lunch after deciding how to eradicate over ten million human beings. These are the true monsters and what is worse is they actually did exist.

Posted 08/09/2010