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The Relief Of Belsen
(2007)Channel 4
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SYNOPSIS
April 17th 1945. The Battle for Berlin raged through Northern Germany. But a British Ambulance unit was diverted from the frontline to handle an unfolding medical crisis. The liberation of Belsen did not bring an end to the death toll. Instead, it was the start of a humanitarian catastrophe. 40,000 prisoners trapped in a man-made camp of indescribable squalor; deprived of food, clothing and basic medical care. In the space of one month an international team of doctors and nurses battled against logistical hurdles and administrative red tape to save thousands of lives and build the largest hospital in Europe.
REVIEWS
Covering a period of a month after the British liberated Bergen-Belsen, this exemplary captivating drama-doc has a certain epic quality. The film packs a powerful punch and is a reminder that we yearn for happy endings in stories because there aren't any in life. Utterly gripping and not to be missed.The Guardian
Powerful and hauntingThe Financial Times
The performance that defines the drama comes from Iain Glen as James Johnston, the army medial officer in chargeéyou can almost see his spirit crackingé by the end you'll be left blinking back the tears.Evening Standard
The Relief of Belsen delivered a vivid impression of what the rescue operation must have been like and made you prouder than ever of that generation of British soldiers.The Times
It combines a top-notch cast including Iain Glen and a first rate scriptéartfully told and deeply moving.The Telegraph, Abi Grant
The acting was as fine as one would expect from a a cast that included Iain Glen and not one but two Redgraves, Corin and Gemma. A worthy project, expertly accomplished. The Independent
The use of hand-held camera adds vividness and it tells a largely unknown story so that - most unusually in historical faction - there is real dramatic tensionThe Sunday Times
AWARDS
- BAFTA nomination for Best Specialist Factual
- Broadcast Awards - Won Best Single Drama
- Royal Television Society Nomination for Best History
- Nominated Best Drama Documentary, Grierson Awards
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Credits
Iain Glen
James JohnstonCorin Redgrave
Glyn HughesJemma Redgrave
Jean McFarlanePaul Hilton
Leslie HardmanNigel Lindsay
Mervyn GoninTobias Menzies
Derrick SingtonFrog Stone
Hadassah BimkoHenry Pettigrew
Alexander PatonKatrine Bach
Lotti BurnsSimon Day
Major StadlerOliver Ford Davies
Martin LipscombIddo Goldberg
Emmanuel FisherVern Griffiths
Richard DimblebyErich Redman
Hans EckhartChristopher Sloman
Cecil WarrenDirector
Justin HardyWriter
Peter Guiness
Justin HardyProducers
Justin Hardy (Hardy And Sons)
Susan Horth
Catherine Alen-Buckley
The performance that defines the drama comes from Iain Glen as James Johnstoné you can almost see his spirit crackingé by the end you'll be left blinking back the tears.
