MUNICH - THE EDGE OF WAR

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A few years ago I had read the source novel for this film ('Munich' by Robert Harris) but having forgotten much of the detail I was able to enjoy the story all over again.

Given that most people have some idea as to what happened at the 1938 peace conference ("peace in our time" and all that), Harris has to create dramatic tension by inventing an espionage plot involving two fictional protagonists, both young men who were friends at Oxford University - Hugh, now private secretary to Chamberlain, and Paul, a German who is now a junior diplomat.

Paul is part of an anti-Nazi group who is trying to get to Chamberlain a document proving that Hitler won't stop at annexing part of Czechoslovakia.  The German actor who plays Paul, Jannis Niewöhner, gives a compelling performance as someone desperate to avert the catastrophe he knows is coming if Hitler isn't stopped now.

Among a strong cast Sandra Hüller appears in a minor role, two years before making a huge  impact in 'Anatomy of a Fall' and 'The Zone of Interest'.

The film is not as good as either of those, but it's a faithful adaptation, well directed and acted, which held my attention throughout.

RATING: ✓ Cheers

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