50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. And Mrs. Kraus

50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. And Mrs. Kraus is a compelling 2013 HBO documentary film that illuminates a significant, yet often overlooked chapter of history from the World War II era. The film, directed and written by Steven Pressman, centers on American couple Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus and their heroic effort to save fifty Jewish children from the clutches of Nazism in Vienna, Austria. Featuring narration by actor Alan Alda and voiceovers by Mamie Gummer and Liz Perle, the documentary presents a layered, emotive exploration of altruism in action amidst widespread socio-political turmoil.

The narrative is set in the late 1930s, a period when Hitler's malevolent reign was steadily intensifying and the plight of Jews in Europe reaching its height. Philadelphia-based Gilbert Kraus, a successful, non-religious lawyer, and his wife Eleanor, became increasingly aware and disturbed by the escalating anti-Semitism and decided to take action. Despite substantial personal risk, political roadblocks, and widespread indifference to the Jewish struggle in the United States, they set forth on a daring mission to Vienna - the heart of the Nazi regime - to rescue fifty Jewish children and bring them to safe soil in America. Each child represented a beacon of hope and a symbol of defiance against the darkness of the Holocaust.

The film utilizes a mélange of historical evidence, including Eleanor's original unpublished manuscript detailing the mission, archival footage, photographs, and first-person testimonials from some of the rescued children, now in their senior years. These firsthand accounts add a palpably human aspect to the documentary, as viewers are treated to personal narratives of haunting memories, frightening escapes, and the astonishing kindness of the Kraus couple.

Alan Alda's narration provides a distinct guiding thread throughout the film, lending an extra edge of distinction and emotive resonance to this historical tale. He effectively communicates the chilling realities of the Holocaust, while also highlighting the Kraus' unyielding determination and courage in face of such immense adversity.

Mamie Gummer lends her voiceover skills to embody Eleanor Kraus. Through carefully inflected readings of Eleanor's writings, Gummer reconstructs an intimate portrait of this brave woman who not only fought bureaucratic indifference and prejudice, but also carved a path of activist womanhood in a largely patriarchal society. Gummer’s voice becomes the emotive lens through which audiences get to view Eleanor’s thoughts and feelings, adding a beautiful depth to the narrative.

Liz Perle complements Alda and Gummer's performances with her own voiceover work, supplementing the budding tension and raw emotionality accentuating the film's narrative. Collectively, the assembly brings depth, character, and life into the figures central to this uplifting odyssey.

50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. And Mrs. Kraus is not just a window into a forgotten chapter of Holocaust history; it is a testament of humanity's potential for incredible kindness and bravery in the darkest of times. The film gives a sense of the effort, courage, risk, and sheer dedication demonstrated by the Krauses and their team members to rescue as many children as they could, providing them with a chance at life they might otherwise not have had.

Director Pressman's painstaking attention to detail, coupled with insightful narration and voiceovers, create a vivid, heartsore, and ultimately triumphant tale of human perseverance. The documentary’s strength lies not only its portrayal of historical events, but also in its ability to evoke feelings of hope, bravery, and the unyielding spirit of humanity in times of extreme adversities.

In filming 50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. And Mrs. Kraus, Pressman successfully undertook the mission of bringing to light a riveting, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting narrative of rescue during one of history’s darkest hours. This film is a must-watch for history enthusiasts, fans of World War II documentaries, and anyone interested in riveting human-interest stories that give glimpses of the best and worst facets of human nature. It is a moving testament to the enduring power of love, compassion, and determination.