House On Garabaldi Street (Amazon Video)

I love this movie. Dynamic account of how the Israelis found Adolf Eichmann and smuggled him out of Argentina. Good acting; Martin Balsam is calm and effective as the leader of the Mossad team while Topol gives a moving performance as the Auschwitz survivor who must overcome his personal hatred to carry out the team's mission. Janet Suzman and NIck Mancuso are effective supporting members of the team. Alfred Burke, the actor playing Eichmann gives a chilling performance as the man who ordered thousands murdered. The storyline remains focused, though it lends an underlying theme of Latin American complicity in sheltering escaped Nazis.

   As a made for TV movie on VHS one should not expect too much. Actually the script and general direction is pretty good and the subject matter of great interest. The color and sound are more than adequate. The let down is the acting, especially Topol. He was brilliant in Fiddler on the Roof but here he is stilted and seems to lack confidence. Perhaps this type of drama is just not his scene. The others were no more than acceptable which is a pity as this had the potential to be much better. Despite these faults this is well worth a watch and it is a pity it has not been released on DVD. The Man Who Captured Eichman with Robert Duvall is rather better but both are a good take on a spectacular catch.