The film follows a Jewish family living in Hungary through three generations, rising from humble beginnings to positions of wealth and power in the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire. The patriarch becomes a prominent judge but is torn when his government sanctions anti-Jewish persecutions. His son converts to Christianity to advance his career as a champion fencer and Olympic hero, but is caught up in the Holocaust. Finally, the grandson, after surviving war, revolution, loss and betrayal, realizes that his ultimate allegiance must be to himself and his heritage.
Genre: Drama, History
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Rosemary Harris, Rachel Weisz, Jennifer Ehle, Deborah Kara Unger
Directed & Produced by: Maurice Jarre, Deirdre Bowen, Michel Arcand, Dominique Fortin, Jörg Widmer
Release date: 9/13/1999
Running time: 181 minutes
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10 by 57 users