I Have Never Forgotten You: The Life & Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal 4 Stars
Narrated by Nicole Kidman
Directed by Richard Trank
Simon Wiesenthal first became famous as the Jewish “Nazi hunter” whose efforts led to the capture and eventual execution of Adolf Eichmann. He later wrote bestselling books and was portrayed most famously by Shmuel Rodensky in The Odessa File, and in other films by actors as diverse as Laurence Olivier, Ben Kingsley and Martin Landau. Mostly, though, he spent over 50 years obsessively doing research to bring war criminals to justice.
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This documentary by Richard Trank (The Long Way Home) attempts to chronicle the enormous impact Wiesenthal’s work had on the world. The film gives some background information, as well as details his experiences in concentration camps, but mostly follows the quest of a man spurred on by the world’s biggest case of survivor’s guilt. It’s a dark journey, but Trank’s straightforward style trusts the subject to keep us engrossed.
Wiesenthal—who maintained his efforts almost until he died in 2005 at the age of 96—didn’t want to be remembered as a hero, merely a researcher. But because he insisted on justice instead of revenge, his tireless work against war crimes the world over has implications into today and tomorrow, ensuring he will never be forgotten.