The Eichmann Show Page #2

secretary at an Arab cafe?

Because the coffee is out of this world.

The newspapers describe this

as the trial of the century

but my superiors see it as

something far more important.

They see this trial as an opportunity

for a Jewish Nuremberg.

Survivors of the genocide very

often held in low regard here in Israel

as if they were complicit

in the crimes that they endured.

Israel and the world needs

to hear what happened to them

from the mouths of the survivors.

So we will broadcast it

live on Israeli radio

but it is essential that

the world must also see

it in their homes on their

television screens.

You said you could film this trial.

So the judges must give us their approval.

Your superiors couldn't quietly

insist the judges give it?

Unlike Nazi Germany,

Israel does not undermine

or compromise the

independence of its judiciary.

We've done all we can

to address the judges' concerns.

- Clearly not.

- Well, we're working on it.

In the meantime you leave us

in a very difficult position.

The decision to televise

was a very great gamble.

Now it must pay off.

Many necks are on the line.

Are you talking to other companies

about taking over the production?

We would be unwise not to have

a fall-back, would we not?

However you do it, the trial must

be filmed. You have three days.

Three?

- You told me five.

- Three days, gentlemen.

You should try the honey cake,

it is the best in Jerusalem.

In the control room, you said...

what - what did you say?

Milton, I'm so tired I

can't remember what I

said twenty seconds ago

let alone an hour ago.

No, you said something about a...

invisible camera...

Leo, that's it.

That is it. We - we

hide the cameras from view.

We make them part of

the fabric of the courtroom.

Put them in the wall?

Yeah, then put a window in the wall

so they can see through.

- Alright.

- You know, this could work.

- So the cameras need to be able to move.

- Ok, fine.

Jesus, we're going to need every carpenter

and plasterer in Jerusalem for this.

- And we've got three days to do it in.

- Just here on the left, please.

Leo. Get some sleep.

I may feel well enough to get

the first plane back to New York.

See you tomorrow.

- Yes?

- Hurwitz.

Ah yes, Mr Horowitz.

'Hurwitz'.

As I said.

- You are tired, yes?

- Very.

You are Jewish? All Jews sleep well

in Jerusalem, Mr Horowitz.

'Hurwitz'.

Gentlemen, as you know, the judges

will be returning in two days

and when they do,

we need to be working as a team.

Because if we fail to get permission,

well, we'll all be going home.

I believe that in my absence

you've been familiarised with the technical

aspects of our television cameras.

Those cameras must now become

extensions of your own eyes

so that you can become

extensions of mine.

Right, right, right. Ok, stop. Stop.

And we have three days to become a team.

To act, to act, to act as one.

Alright gentleman,

let's give this a shot shall we?

As you film, I will edit directly

onto a master tape.

I'm going to need 100 per cent

of your concentration.

Ready, camera two.

This is going to be mentally

and physically challenging.

And most likely the most

interesting thing you ever do.

Got it.

Take two.

Our objective is to use images

to reveal the events of that courtroom.

Ready on the auditorium. Thank you.

Take two. Take three. Good.

The camera bridges distance.

Better. Keep the rhythm.

- It will show detail.

- Take four.

- Eichmann's face. His hands.

- Take one.

The expressions of the judges,

the counsel.

Camera one on the judges' bench.

Thank you, nice and smooth.

Take two. Take two.

Take two! Ok, stop. Stop. Stop.

I need you to switch immediately.

I want shots of Eichmann

as he speaks and

reacts to things said

and done in the court.

Let's go again, gentlemen. Until we

get this running smooth like water.

Feelings that he may try and mask

emotionally may manifest themselves

in a way that he cannot

physically suppress.

You want us to climb into

the glass box with Eichmann and ask:

'What kind of man are you?'

- Exactly.

Gentlemen, I don't believe in monsters

but I do believe that men are

responsible for monstrous deeds.

What transformed this ordinary man

into someone who was capable of

sending hundreds and thousands

of children to their death

while going home every evening and

kissing his own children goodnight?

- A human being like any one of us.

- He is not like us.

I am not Eichmann, Mr Hurwitz.

Under the right circumstances,

anyone is capable of fascist behaviour.

Not I.

- Yaakov, anyone is capable.

- Not I.

- Fruchtman.

- Mr Fruchtman, listen carefully.

You will close production down

and leave Israel immediately.

Who is this?

The trial of Obersturmbannfhrer Eichmann

will not be allowed to take place.

If you don't leave, Mr Fruchtman, your

wife, your children, I will kill them all.

Hello?

Honey... I won't make it home

for supper tonight.

- I have some things to run through here.

- Ok.

- How are the kids?

- The kids? Fine.

How are things there?

How is Leo getting on?

He's putting them through their paces.

- How are you?

- Fine. We're good.

- The kids?

- Yeah, the kids are good.

- How's the apartment?

- The apartment? In what sense?

Generally.

I think the apartment's fine, Milton.

You want me to go and ask it?

- You have got these calls before?

- I received a few in New York

when it was announced that

I was to produce this show.

A couple of crank letters

to Capital Cities' office.

Nazi bullshit.

Should I warn my people?

It would alarm them unnecessarily.

I will add to the security presence

in your building.

And my family?

- I will take care of it.

- How?

By taking care of it.

I want to talk to you about

your cameraman, Millek.

Ok, gentlemen - and lady -

sssh - thank you.

As some of you may know

this afternoon we learned that the Israeli

authorities have revoked their permission

for Millek to

operate in the courtroom.

Why?

I am a member of the Israeli

Communist Party who

may, in their mind, wish

to attack Eichmann.

Who in their right mind wouldn't want to

attack the bastard? Doesn't mean they will.

I might jump from my box

with a knife between my teeth.

Alright, thank you,

thank you, thank you.

I have tried to explain

at great length that

Millek has no desire

to attack Eichmann

and every desire to see him

stand trial for his crimes.

But to no avail.

So tomorrow morning I start looking

for a replacement cameraman

and hope to find someone

by lunchtime tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Millek will work alongside Leo

in the control room. Excuse me.

Did he say 'control room'?

Leo?

You can't just accept this

stupid decision about Millek.

Their paranoia is through the roof,

as we know

so you and me, we bite several bullets

and get on with what we're here to do.

Want me to tell you

what it was like being

blacklisted for ten years

under McCarthy, Milton?

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote