I, Justice (film)
Encyclopedia
I, Justice is a 1968 Czechoslovak
psychological thriller
, directed by Zbyněk Brynych
.
, the Czecholsovak physician Doctor Heřman is abducted by a mysterious organization. To his horror, Heřman discovers that he is to treat Adolf Hitler
, whose suicide in 1945 was faked. Hitler now lives in an isolated sanatorium in Germany
, surrounded by his ostensibly loyal followers, a group of former high-ranking Nazis. But those men blame him for Germany's defeat and destruction, and have decided that a single death is not satisfactory punishment for Hitler. Rather, he is made to believe that the Second World War is still being fought. The German officers stage 'Allied
raids' in which Hitler is captured, faces trial and a death sentence, put under the guillotine
's blade and then is rescued by his supporters at the last moment - only to face it all again, over and over. The experience drives Hitler into an unberable mental agony; The doctor decides to put an end to his misery and kills him.
Hanuš' book was criticized for what critics perceived to be a superficial treatment of the moral questions raised by the crimes of Nazism.
The film adaptation was director Brynych's third work concerned with the atrocities committed during World War II, after the 1962 Transport From Paradise
- which dealt with the life in the Theresienstadt concentration camp
, and was adapted from Arnošt Lustig
's autobiographical novel, Night and Hope - and the 1964 The Fifth Horseman is Fear
, about a Jewish doctor in German-occupied Prague
.
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
psychological thriller
Psychological thriller
Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the broad ranged thriller with heavy focus on characters. However, it often incorporates elements from the mystery and drama genre, along with the typical traits of the thriller genre...
, directed by Zbyněk Brynych
Zbynek Brynych
Zbyněk Brynych was a Czech film director and screenwriter. He directed 30 films between 1951 and 1985.-Selected filmography:* Suburban Romance * The Fifth Horseman is Fear -External links:...
.
Plot
At 1946, during the Nuremberg TrialsNuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals, held by the victorious Allied forces of World War II, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of the defeated Nazi Germany....
, the Czecholsovak physician Doctor Heřman is abducted by a mysterious organization. To his horror, Heřman discovers that he is to treat Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, whose suicide in 1945 was faked. Hitler now lives in an isolated sanatorium in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, surrounded by his ostensibly loyal followers, a group of former high-ranking Nazis. But those men blame him for Germany's defeat and destruction, and have decided that a single death is not satisfactory punishment for Hitler. Rather, he is made to believe that the Second World War is still being fought. The German officers stage 'Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
raids' in which Hitler is captured, faces trial and a death sentence, put under the guillotine
Guillotine
The guillotine is a device used for carrying out :executions by decapitation. It consists of a tall upright frame from which an angled blade is suspended. This blade is raised with a rope and then allowed to drop, severing the head from the body...
's blade and then is rescued by his supporters at the last moment - only to face it all again, over and over. The experience drives Hitler into an unberable mental agony; The doctor decides to put an end to his misery and kills him.
Production
The film's script was based on the eponymous novel by Miroslav Hanuš, published at 1946.Hanuš' book was criticized for what critics perceived to be a superficial treatment of the moral questions raised by the crimes of Nazism.
The film adaptation was director Brynych's third work concerned with the atrocities committed during World War II, after the 1962 Transport From Paradise
Transport z ráje
Transport z ráje is a Czech drama film. It was released in 1962....
- which dealt with the life in the Theresienstadt concentration camp
Theresienstadt concentration camp
Theresienstadt concentration camp was a Nazi German ghetto during World War II. It was established by the Gestapo in the fortress and garrison city of Terezín , located in what is now the Czech Republic.-History:The fortress of Terezín was constructed between the years 1780 and 1790 by the orders...
, and was adapted from Arnošt Lustig
Arnošt Lustig
Arnošt Lustig was a renowned Czech Jewish author of novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays whose works have often involved the Holocaust.Lustig was born in Prague...
's autobiographical novel, Night and Hope - and the 1964 The Fifth Horseman is Fear
The Fifth Horseman is Fear
The Fifth Horseman is Fear is a 1964 Czechoslovak New Wave film about the Holocaust that was directed by Zbynek Brynych...
, about a Jewish doctor in German-occupied Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Reception
The film was received poorly, and failed to secure any nominations or awards. Czechoslovak film critic Jan Žalman wrote that "Doctor Heřman found a solution for himself, but not for the viewer, at least not the one who expected to see evil defeated on the moral level, and not just on the physical one." The New York Times' reviewer called the movie a "gripping moral and political exposé of frightening fantasy".Select cast
- Karel HögerKarel HögerKarel Höger was a Czechoslovak film actor. He appeared in nearly 100 films between 1939 and 1977.-Selected filmography:* Lost in the Suburbs * Krakatit * Old Czech Legends...
as Doctor Heřman. - Fritz DiezFritz DiezNot to be confused with the West German industrialist Fritz Dietz.Fritz Diez was a German actor, producer, director and theater manager.-Early life:...
as Adolf Hitler. - Angelica DomröseAngelica DomröseAngelica Domröse is a German actress, who became famous in the role of Paula in Heiner Carow's film "The Legend of Paul and Paula". Her Mediterranean appearance is the result of her biological father being a prisoner of war from France.-Life:After training as a shorthand typist Domröse worked in a...
as Inga. - Jirí Vršťala as Harting.
- Karel Charvát as Herbert.
- Jindřich Narenta as Man With Glasses
External links
- I, Justice on the IMDb.
- I, Justice on Allmovie.
- I, Justice on the Barrandov Television's website.