The Search

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The Search

1948,

1h 45m,

Drama

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Watchlist

100%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

After surviving a Nazi concentration camp in Germany, Karel (Ivan Jandl), a young Czech boy, is determined to reunite with his mother, Hannah (Jarmila Novotna), holding out hope that she is still alive. Karel is befriended by an American soldier, Ralph Stevenson (Montgomery Clift), who teaches him English phrases and even considers bringing him back to the United States. However, nothing can deter Karel from looking for Hannah, who is also desperately searching for him.

Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

Although there's a slight suspicion that (as in Rossellini's work from this period) the plight of children is being used as a sort of emotional shorthand, the integrity and moving effect of this piece is never really in doubt.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

May 20, 2003

5/5

The Search, in our estimation, is a major revelation in our times.

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Dilys Powell

Sunday Times (UK)

Oct 3, 2023

Mr Clift’s portrayal of the nonchalant American, bewildered by the little boy’s terror, at his wits’ end to persuade him to speak... is something not to miss.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

May 13, 2008

B

A moving wartime drama about orphaned children that's directed in a simple semi-documentary style.

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TV Guide

Nov 1, 2007

4/4

Zinnemann and Clift received Oscar nominations and Jandl won a special juvenile Oscar for his haunting portrayal of the tragic child.

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Nick Davis

Nick's Flick Picks

Oct 18, 2007

B+

Both a well-modulated immersion in the experience of stunned and stranded children and a time-capsule of the scarred land and crumbled cityscapes of Germany after the war.

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Poe R

Mar 18, 2018

Outstanding film debut by Montgomery Clift in this very believable story of a child refugee from Auschwitz. Actually filmed in Germany when it was still really bombed out. Another great film about Europe and WWII from Fred Zinnemann!

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Fred Zinnemann

Director

Montgomery Clift

Ralph Stevenson

Ivan Jandl

Karel Malik

Aline MacMahon

Mrs. Murray

Jarmila Novotna

Mrs. Malik

Wendell Corey

Jerry Fisher

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Synopsis

After surviving a Nazi concentration camp in Germany, Karel (Ivan Jandl), a young Czech boy, is determined to reunite with his mother, Hannah (Jarmila Novotna), holding out hope that she is still alive. Karel is befriended by an American soldier, Ralph Stevenson (Montgomery Clift), who teaches him English phrases and even considers bringing him back to the United States. However, nothing can deter Karel from looking for Hannah, who is also desperately searching for him.

Director: Fred Zinnemann
Producer: Lazar Wechsler
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Praesens-Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 26, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 1h 45m

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