The Search (1948)

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers:

Richard Schweizer (screenplay)
David Wechsler (collaborator on screenplay)
(more)

Release Date:

26 March 1948 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

In the Post-War Berlin, an American private helps a lost Czech boy to find his mother.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Auschwitz | Germany | Jeep | River

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Montgomery Clift	...	Ralph 'Steve' Stevenson
Aline MacMahon	...	Mrs. Murray
Jarmila Novotna	...	Mrs. Hannah Malik
Wendell Corey	...	Jerry Fisher
Ivan Jandl	...	Karel 'Jimmy' Malik
Mary Patton	...	Mrs. Fisher
Ewart G. Morrison	...	Mr. Crookes
William Rogers	...	Tom Fisher
Leopold Borkowski	...	Joel Markowsky
Claude Gambier	...	Raoul Dubois

Directed by
Fred Zinnemann

Writing credits
Richard Schweizer		(story) uncredited and
David Wechsler		(story) uncredited
Richard Schweizer		(screenplay)
David Wechsler		(collaborator on screenplay)
Paul Jarrico		(additional dialogue)
Montgomery Clift		uncredited
Betty Smith		uncredited

Produced by
Oscar Düby	....	associate producer
Lazar Wechsler	....	producer

Original Music by
Robert Blum

Cinematography by
Emil Berna

Film Editing by
Hermann Haller

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Míla Mellanová	....	assistant director

Other crew
Thérèse Bonney	....	military liaison
Thérèse Bonney	....	technical advisor
Eva Landesberg	....	technical advisor
Robert D. Mockler	....	technical advisor

Production Companies

• Praesens-Film (in association with)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1948) (USA) (theatrical)

Runtime:

Germany:105 min

Country:

Switzerland | USA

Language:

English | German | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:Passed | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Praesens-Film

Movie Connections:

Featured in Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust (2004)

Soundtrack:

'S Wonderful

Results of War

Filmed in bombed out Germany's U.S. zone, the film gives us a realness that makes the picture. The chilling narrative describing the ills that the war caused play over the camera panning the ruins and destruction When Montgomery Clift (Steve) tries to pick up a shoeless, homeless, hungry boy (Jim)- it's the beginning of a heartbreaking/heartwarming story.

The boy comes to live with Clift and his army buddy where Clift tries every source possible to see if the boys mother is still alive. He teaches him English thru photo's and drawings. His definition of a "tomatoe" is especially sweet. However, when the boy asks Clift, "Steve, what's a mother"? It breaks your heart. Clift tries to describe a mother, while Jim starts remembering bits and pieces from his past.

When an army family needs the house they are living in, Clift has return to the U.S. leaving the boy to a service for orphaned children all the while hoping to bring him home and adopt him.

A woman, who has "searched" from town to town, across borders, tirelessly winds up in this orphaned service after she collapses from exhaustion. The matron in charge insists on her staying to help with the children as she is so good with them.

It is only through timing while you are sitting on the edge of your seat, that you are rewarded at the end.

Never get tired of watching this film.