Watch QB VII
- TV-MA
- 1974
- 1 Season
-
7.7 (886)
QB VII is a gripping political thriller from the 1970s, directed by Tom Gries and based on Leon Uris' best-selling novel of the same name. The film is produced by Samuel Goldwyn Films and stars Ben Gazzara and Anthony Hopkins in the leading roles. The movie originally aired as a two-part television miniseries.
The story begins with the trial of Adam Kelno (played by Anthony Hopkins), a Polish-born physician who is accused of performing medical experiments on Jewish prisoners during World War II. The trial takes place in the 1960s, but the events of the story go back decades earlier to when Kelno was stationed in a concentration camp in Poland.
Kelno maintains his innocence, but the evidence against him is strong, and the trial quickly becomes a media sensation. The case attracts the attention of renowned American novelist and Holocaust survivor, Abraham Cady (played by Ben Gazzara), who decides to write a book about it.
As Cady researches Kelno's story, he discovers a web of lies, deceit, and corruption that stretches back to the concentration camps and beyond. Kelno's defense team, led by the brilliant lawyer Sir Adam Kelno (played by Anthony Quayle), attempts to discredit Cady's work and turn the trial into a battle of wills between the two men.
The tension builds as Cady delves deeper into Kelno's past, uncovering shocking secrets about the doctor's true identity and his role in the concentration camps. As the trial moves towards its conclusion, Cady finds himself in a race against time to save his reputation and expose the truth.
QB VII is a powerful drama that explores themes of justice, remembrance, and the search for truth. The film is anchored by the strong performances of its two leads, with Ben Gazzara exuding charisma as the determined novelist, and Anthony Hopkins delivering a nuanced portrayal of a man haunted by his past.
The movie's production values are excellent, with stunning location photography and evocative music adding to the sense of historical authenticity. The costume design and makeup are also top-notch, transporting the viewer back in time to the harrowing events of the Holocaust.
One of the standout features of QB VII is its use of flashbacks, which effectively portray the horrors of the concentration camps without ever being gratuitous or exploitative. The scenes depicting the doctor's experiments on prisoners are harrowing, but always serve the story and never feel like they are there purely for shock value.
The film's ultimate message is one of redemption and the power of the human spirit. Even in the face of unthinkable atrocities, the characters of QB VII demonstrate resilience, courage, and a determination to survive and rebuild their lives.
In conclusion, QB VII is a must-see for fans of historical dramas and political thrillers. The film packs a powerful emotional punch and features strong performances, sensitive storytelling, and top-notch production values. With its themes of justice, remembrance, and the search for truth, QB VII remains as relevant today as it was when it first aired in the 1970s.