The Vice of Munich is interested in very real agreements signed in 1938 by several European powers, but does this mean that the protagonists of the film existed and that its plot is based on historical facts? We take stock.
In 1938 the Munich Agreement was signed by Adolf Hitler (representing Germany), Édouard Daladier (France), Neville Chamberlain (United Kingdom) and Benito Mussolini (Italy) following a conference which is at the heart of Christian Schwochow’s film, The Vise of Munich, available on Netflix.
A historical feature film, adapted from a novel written by Robert Harris. Fiction book obliges, the author obviously took liberties with reality, starting by completely inventing his two main characters: the German Paul von Hartmann and the Briton Hugh Legat, played respectively by Jannis Niewöhner and George MacKay in the film .
It is about two old friends who met during their studies at Oxford but who had moved away from each other following political differences. Only, when Paul understands Hitler’s true intentions for Europe, he tries at all costs to pass a key document to the British through Hugh, who has become Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s secretary.
During an interview at Guardian, Robert Harris has nevertheless confirmed that he was partially inspired by people who really existed to create these characters whose actions are purely fictional.
Paul is thus loosely based on Adam von Trott zu Solz, a German diplomat and Nazi resister who participated in the July 20, 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler, leading to his execution. As for Hugh, he is inspired by the English intellectual AL Rowse, who wrote poems on Adam von Trott whom he had known at Oxford.
A historical figure also highlighted
But L’Étau de Munich also gives pride of place to the real figures of this period of history, and in particular to Neville Chamberlain, played by Jeremy Irons. Moreover, Robert Harris admits that he almost made the politician the central character of his novel.
On the set of the film, Irons himself ensured that Chamberlain was not overshadowed by the two young protagonists. “The producers considered that the central idea was the attempt of the young people but I said that we had to be interested in the political situation. During the development of the scenario, I continued to defend the interests of Chamberlain. I said, ‘You have to know where the people who negotiate come from.’ We can’t just be wallpaper“, tells the actor to the Guardian.
The Vice of Munich therefore skilfully mixes the real History, that which led to the famous Munich agreements – which, failing to have avoided the Second World War, postponed it for a few months, allowing the Allies to prepare – and the fictional struggle of two young men ready to do (almost) anything to prevent Hitler from achieving his goals.
The dictator is played in the film by Ulrich Matthes, who succeeds other actors in the role: