Film Review: Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport (2000)

Holocaust films are inherently depressive, given the dark and tragic nature of the events they depict. However, some chapters of this story are lighter than others, and one of them is explored in the Oscar-winning documentary film Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport.

This film tells the story of the Kindertransport, a humanitarian effort that took place in the months leading up to World War II, during which Britain opened its doors to over 10,000 Jewish and other children from territories under the rule of Nazi Germany. The Kindertransport was a remarkable act of mercy, and the children who were rescued through this effort came to be known as the Kinder (“Children” in German). They were taken into foster homes and hostels in Britain, with the expectation that they would eventually be reunited with their parents, still living under Nazi rule. However, the majority of them never saw their families again.

The film is made in cooperation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and is directed by Mark Jonathan Harris, who had previous experience with documentaries dealing with Jewish history. His previous work, Long Way Home, which focused on the founding of Israel, had won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature two years earlier.

Into the Arms of Strangers tells the stories of the Kindertransport through the use of period footage, narration by Judi Dench, and interviews with surviving children and their foster parents. The stories told by the children create an impression of the film as probably the most life-affirming and feel-good of all Holocaust films, as most of the stories had the closest such chapter could come to a happy ending. Most of the children were rescued, and despite some of them being culturally uprooted and suffering heart-breaking parting with their families, many of which would later perish in camps, later had happy, thriving and prosperous lives in Britain and other Western countries.

While easy to watch, Into the Arms of Strangers at times looks too safe and too pre-packaged, falling short of the gold standard of all Holocaust documentaries set by Shoah. Nevertheless, it deserves recommendation for bringing insight into one of the surprisingly positive episodes of the very dark event. The film is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit, and it highlights the extraordinary contributions of those who were generous, compassionate, and willing to undertake great responsibility in a time of unrest. It is a must-see for both its moving content and its ability to inspire.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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