Jonathan SangerRezensionen

Helen McNulty is a journalist struggling to regain control of her life a year after she was abducted and tortured in Central America. She goes to a clinic for survivors of torture, where she reflects on her experiences and learns about others who have suffered similar experiences. She is drawn to Professor Ramirez, another patient at the clinic, who is still being pursued by his attackers. She thinks he can relate to her suffering, and she begins to learn why. (fonte: Imdb)

In April 1944, an allied agent is sent to France in order to rescue an “overlord” captured by the Germans. (An “overlord” is one of the few men who know the date and place of the D-Day invasion). To achieve this goal, he will be supported by a secret friend of the Allies, a very important German officer and the French resistance. But the S.S. is not resting. (fonte: imdb)

Helen McNulty è una giornalista che lotta per riprendere il controllo della sua vita un anno dopo essere stata rapita e torturata in Centro America. Va in una clinica per sopravvissuti alla tortura, dove riflette sulle sue esperienze e impara ad altri che hanno sofferto esperienze simili. È attratta dal professor Ramirez, un altro paziente della clinica, che è ancora inseguito dai suoi aggressori. Pensa di poter relazionarsi con la sua sofferenza e inizia a imparare perché.

Durante la Seconda guerra mondiale, un uomo a conoscenza dei piani dettagliati dello sbarco in Normandia viene catturato dai nazisti. Nell'aprile del 1944, un agente segreto degli alleati, coadiuvato da una spia tra gli ufficiali tedeschi, viene mandato in Francia per riscattare il prigioniero, ma in realtà è anche autorizzato a eliminarlo qualora le cose dovessero mettersi male.

Luck plays its part when the author of a script is friends with the producer’s babysitter. Skill plays its part when the written page captivates and enthralls the man who will bring it to the screen. Knowing the right people helps a lot—choosing the right people, giving the right people freedom to make their own choices… making friends, being ready to forgive and try again, staying loyal, being kind… together all these skills combine to make a wonderful movie and an intriguing book. In Jonathan Sanger’s memoir, these skills come together to inform, inspire and entertain the reader in a tale that’s enjoyably readable and accompanied by well-chosen photos from the movie and from behind the scenes.

Making the Elephant Man invites readers into and behind the film set, telling the story from concept to completion, and including a wealth of fascinating facts, vignettes of well-known characters, information about filming method, the tasks of producers and directors, the making of masks, and even the choice of which scene should be filmed how and when. I really enjoyed the insight into a world I shall never know. But I also enjoyed the sense that these lessons could be applied elsewhere in any creative endeavor. As an English American, I loved the contrasts between our countries too. Now I want to watch the film again!

Disclosure: I was given a copy by a marketing company and I offer my honest review.