THE BROTHER WHO SENT THE ROSENBERGS TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR (Clara Kuperberg, Robert Kuperberg, France). 52 minutes. Friday (May 4), 3 pm, Innis College.
THE TORONTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL at various locations from Thursday (May 3) to May 13. $8-$13, opening night $20, closing night $18. 416-324-9121, tjff.com. See Indie & Rep Film. Rating: NNN
Rosenberg junkies may not find much that’s new in this account of the case of Julius and Ethel, who were executed in 1953 for conspiracy to commit espionage. It does, however, ask interesting questions.
Why did David Greenglass turn in his sister and brother in-law? What’s the significance of the fact that all the lawyers associated with the case were Jewish, including the judge? How does the Rosenbergs’ son Robert Meeropol view the uncle who betrayed his family?
And the directors make the intriguing argument that it was never the U.S. government’s intention to execute the Rosenbergs. It just happened.
This movie explains how.
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