QB VII (1974)

This five-hour miniseries, which was hailed as both a critical triumph and a milestone "television event" when it originally aired in 1974, is based on the Leon Uris novel, which itself was based on a libel trial that arose after Uris published his novel Exodus. The fictionalized drama is essentially the story of two men, Dr. Adam Kelno, a Polish doctor who was imprisoned by the Nazis in a concentration camp, and Abe Cady, a successful Hollywood writer who publishes a serious book on the Holocaust that exposes Kelno's past. Playing Dr. Kelno, Anthony Hopkins steals the show, and the nuances he brings to the character keep the audience guessing whether he is in fact a dedicated healer or a diabolical villain intent on papering over a fiendish past. Ben Gazzara is credible as the tough-talking Cady, but when Hopkins leaves the action for a time the film sags and begins to resemble an ordinary TV movie. Eventually the two men's lives come into conflict when Kelno sues for libel. The trial, which takes place in a London courtroom (the "Queen's Bench VII" of the title), seeks to sort out the truth about the past of Dr. Kelno. His precise activities during the war, and how the world deals with his past, receive intelligent and dramatic treatment. --Robert J. McNamara Amazon.com

The Holocaust

Nuremberg Trials (1947)Excellent story about what actually happened to the Jews in WWII. It is long, it was a TV miniseries.
Well worth it! August 26, 2008

The writing on the wall...

Ben Gazzara plays a rather cynical Jewish author who is inspired to write about an ex concentration camp doctor played by Hopkins. The book tells of the inhumane things that were done to the inmates of the camp. The doctor is outraged and sues the author for defamation. The trial takes up most of the second half of the film. Queen's Bench Seven is the name of the court room. Films are shown about the Holocaust and they are as horrific today as they ever were. The trial has the only kind of ending that it could have and that means that there really are no winners in a story like this one. It's great drama even if a bit harrowing at times and the cast turns in some great performances. This was actually the first TV mini-series and was shown in at least two parts when it first came out. Written by Leon Uris and based on a similar court case that he was involved in. Well worth your time even though it's a bit slow to start with. February 22, 2007

TV First Mini Series

When you think of Television mini series, you may think of such great television production in the 70's and 80s (its GOLDEN era) such like Backstairs at the White House, Upstairs Downstairs, The Bourne Identity (yes long before Matt Damon movie-with Richard Chamberlain and Jackie Smith), Roots (and the mini series sequel Roots the Next Generation), North and South (books 1-3), Noble House (with future James Bond Pierce Bronsnan), Shogun (with Richard Chamberlain), Jesus of Narazeth , Rich Man Poor Man (with newcomer Nick Nolte), Holocaust (with Meryl Streep and James Woods)or even The Thorn Birds (again with Chamberlain). These were some of the best TV had to offer. However, in April 1974 , the first NOVEL FOR TELEVISION (done on ABC TV) was presented. Over two nights.... Leon Uris QB V!!.

The story of Abraham Cady (Ben Gazzara) learns of his Jewish heritage from his father (Dr No's Joseph Wiseman)-- that most of his family had been exterminated in the gas chambers at the Jadwiga concentration camp. After becoming penetrated in Jewish faith after his father's death, Cady decides to move to Israel and write a book called The Holocaust. In this book, Cady accuses a surgeon, Dr. Adam Kelno (played with Relish by Anthony Hopkins), as being one of the doctors at the Jadwiga camp that did experiments on other human beings and was a war criminal. Dr. Kelno finds out about the book and decides to sue Cady in court to prove that Cady is a liar. This is based of the real life case where Leon Uris was a defendant in a law suit growing from his novel Exodus, where someone sued Uris saying he were defamed

Told in two parts, Kelno's story on the first night and the second night is Cady.story . This production lead the way for many future mini series. The production was filmed in Hollywood, England, Belguim and Israel and it shows in the production detailed filming.


Lets talk supporting cast of this piece Leslie Caron, Milo O'Shea, Sir John Gielgud, Juliet Mills, Lee Remick, Joseph Wiseman, Sir Anthony Quayle, Jack Hawkins, and Kris Tabori-all holding their own with the talented leads Gazzara and Hopkins . This production

This production is over 30 years old and it doesn't date itself. There are very strong message in this film even for today standards, the Holocaust usually is .. Parents should be advised it is VERY powerful. I suggest this for a teen and not a young child.

So should you get this? Why aren't you ordering it now?

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD
August 15, 2006

QB VII

This movie was an excellent visual presentation of the Leon Uris book. Anthony Hopkins in an early role was excellent. The basic scenario of the movie was a trial being conducted in Queens Bench VII concerning complicity with the Nazis. March 10, 2006

You can't escape the past!

I've read the book it was excellent. Bought this movie on VHS & was totally into it. Had seen it on TV in 1974 when it was first aired. It deals with a difficult time in history with honesty in a sensitive manner without sugar coating the truth. Am very pleased it is finally out on DVD. Buy this DVD & enjoy it. July 22, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...