Denial (2016 film)

Plot

Deborah Lipstadt is an American professor of Holocaust studies whose speaking engagement is disrupted by David Irving, a Nazi Germany scholar. He files a libel lawsuit in the UK against her and her publisher for declaring him a Holocaust denier in her books. As in the United Kingdom the burden of proof in a libel case lies with the accused, Lipstadt and her legal team, led by solicitor Anthony Julius and barrister Richard Rampton, must prove that Irving lied about the Holocaust.

To prepare their defence, Lipstadt and Rampton tour the Auschwitz death camp in Poland with a local scholar, while the research team subpoenas Irving's extensive personal diaries. Lipstadt is annoyed by Rampton's apparently disrespectful questions on the subject, and frustrated when the team minimises her involvement in the case, arguing she harms its chances of success. The British Jewish community pleads with her to settle out of court to avoid creating publicity for Irving. However, her team has a promising start when they persuade Irving to agree to a trial by judge instead of a jury, which he could have manipulated to his advantage, by appealing to his ego.

Irving conducts his own legal representation, facing Lipstadt's well-financed legal team. Irving endeavours to twist the presented evidence for the defence. Lipstadt is approached by a Holocaust survivor who pleads for the chance to testify, but Lipstadt's legal team insists on focusing the trial on Irving.

Irving tries to discredit evidence for gas chambers of Auschwitz, claiming that there were no holes on the roof for the Zyklon B gas crystals to be introduced. His soundbite "no holes, no holocaust" dominates the media coverage. Furious, Lipstadt demands that she and the Holocaust survivors take the stand. Julius angrily counters that Irving would only humiliate and exploit a survivor on cross-examination, as he has done in the past. Rampton visits Lipstadt at her home to explain his approach and earns her trust. In court, he subjects Irving to skilful cross-examination and exposes his claims as absurd, while expert testimony exposes the distortions in Irving's writings.

As the trial concludes, the judge disquiets the defence by suggesting that if Irving honestly believes his own claims, then he cannot be lying as Lipstadt asserted. After an agonising wait for the ruling, Justice Charles Gray rules for the defence, convinced by the evidence that Lipstadt's criticism of Irving as a deceitful Holocaust denier is valid. Lipstadt is hailed for her dignified demeanour, while her legal team reminds her that despite her silence during the trial, it was her writing that countered Irving's lies and provided the basis for this victory. At a press conference Lipstadt praises her lawyers for their strategy.

Production

In April 2015, Hilary Swank and Tom Wilkinson were attached to star in the film, based upon the book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier by Deborah Lipstadt, with Mick Jackson directing, while Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff would produce under their Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment banner with Shoebox Films. Participant Media and BBC Films would co-finance. In November 2015, Rachel Weisz, replacing Swank, and Timothy Spall joined the cast of Denial, with Bleecker Street distributing the film. In December 2015, Andrew Scott, Caren Pistorius, Jack Lowden, Alex Jennings, and Harriet Walter all joined the cast. Howard Shore composed the film's score.

Filming

Principal photography began in December 2015 and concluded the end of January 2016. It was filmed in London, England, and Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2016. The film was released in the United States in a limited release on September 30, 2016. The film was released in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2017.

Critical reception

Denial received positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 81%, based on 94 reviews, with rating of 6.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "If Denial doesn't quite do its incredible story complete justice, it comes close enough to offer a satisfying, impactful drama – and another powerful performance from Rachel Weisz." On Metacritic the film has a score of 64 out of 100 score, based on 31 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".