Arch of Triumph

Arch of Triumph is a British film starring Anthony Hopkins and Lesley-Anne Down. Ravic (Anthony Hopkins) is an Austrian doctor who helped Jews escape from the Nazi regime. He was tortured in a concentration camp. In 1939 he is living in Paris, under a false name and without any documents, constantly aware of the risk of being arrested. At the river Seine, Ravic meets Joan Madou (Lesley-Anne Down), a woman about to attempt suicide. Ravic helps Joan and a relationship begins between them. However, Ravic has unfinished business with the Nazis. Ravic is arrested after being discovered as a refugee without papers and he and Joan get separated for six months. They cautiously try to rebuild their relationship as events internationally spin out of control. After many twists and turns in this fascinating plot, Ravic has his friend Boris issue him with false papers, but Ravic is tired of running from the Nazis. He turns himself in to the French authorities and is sent to an internment camp. He tells a pregnant woman on the truck not to worry. A fellow passenger says, 'Here we go again'. 'Ah, yes', Ravic replies, 'Human beings can stand a great deal'. The truck drives off through the night towards the Arc de Triomphe and the rest of history begins during the Nazis march toward Paris. This is an interesting and insightful look into life as a Nazi prisoner and how human beings survive the horrors of war. A film not to be missed!