Beginning in the mid 1930s and ending shortly after the end of WWII, a Jewish family finds themselves torn apart by the systematic genocide by the Nazi party as they struggle to survive. Their story is contrasted to that of an ambitious young Nazi (Michael Moriarty) who rises to the very top of the chain of command. The greatest crime against humanity in the 20th century reduced to an overwrought seven hour soap opera! While its intentions may be honorable (I hope), the film feels overwritten and the characters simply don't ring true. With one exception, the actors don't stand a chance and that includes Meryl Streep in an Emmy winning performance as James Woods' gentile wife, so colorless that you'd never guess she'd turn out to be an acting icon. Only Rosemary Harris as the matriarch of the Weiss family is able to surmount the script and bring a believability and quiet dignity to her character. Perhaps faring worst is Moriarty who gives a robotic performance and a character, who as written, makes no logical sense. Dully directed by Marvin J. Chomsky. The large cast includes Fritz Weaver, Robert Stephens, Ian Holm, David Warner, Tovah Feldshuh, Joseph Bottoms, Charles Korvin, Michael Beck, Blanche Baker and Sam Wanamaker.
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