Arch of Triumph
A 1985 British made-for-television film based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, which was previously adapted in 1948 for a film of the same name with Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer. Dr. Ravic (Anthony Hopkins) is an Austrian doctor who helps Jews escape from the Nazis. In 1939, he meets Joan Madou (Lesley-Anne Down), a woman he saves from suicide, and their relationship flourishes until he is arrested as a refugee without documentation and realizes he has some unfinished business with the Nazis. After a prolonged separation, without explanation, the two are finally reunited and struggle to put their relationship back on the right course as mayhem breaks out all around them.
Insights
Plot Summary
In pre-World War II Paris, a brilliant but disgraced German surgeon, Ravic, lives in hiding, haunted by his past and evading the Gestapo. He falls in love with a desperate young woman named Joan, who is entangled with a dangerous older man. As the political climate darkens, Ravic must confront his demons and decide whether to risk everything for love and revenge.
Critical Reception
This made-for-television adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's novel received mixed to negative reviews, with many critics finding it unable to capture the depth and nuance of the source material. While some performances were noted, the overall direction and pacing were often criticized.
What Reviewers Say
- Fails to live up to the powerful novel it adapts.
- Pacing issues and a lack of emotional depth detract from the story.
- Performances are serviceable but cannot elevate the overall production.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this television film, but where available, it is often noted as a weaker adaptation compared to earlier film versions.
Fun Fact
This 1984 television film is a remake of the 1948 film of the same name, which starred Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer.
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