Hunting Eichmann – MGM – Operation Finale

Film & TV productions contacting me regularly when they need historical passports for their production. This time I was contacted by the famous MGM studios to support an upcoming movie production. The studio needed to reproduce the first type of Federal Republic of Germany passport which was issued in the 1950s, and further needed some details on an early 1950s Israeli passport. As I have both documents in my archive, I could support MGM instantly, and they were very happy about it.

Having supported already some notable film productions, I am delighted to be part of this MGM project with my small contribution. It’s about the darkest time in German history, related to a German passport, and as a German, it’s “special” to support this production. Furthermore, it’s another outstanding reference for my work and my solid reputation when it comes to the history of passports. Hunting Eichmann Operation Finale

Hunting Eichmann In MGM’s ‘Operation Finale’

EXCLUSIVE: Melanie Laurent has been set to play the female lead, and Nick Kroll has been set to play an Israeli operative in Operation Finale. They join Oscar Isaac in the MGM drama about the successful hunt and capture of notorious Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in Argentina in the 1960s. Ben Kingsley is playing Eichmann, and the film will begin production on October 1 in Argentina.

Story

Laurent will play Hanna, an anesthesiologist and the only female member of the Mossad team led by Peter Malkin (Isaac), a group of Israeli spies tasked with hunting down Eichmann. The Mossad operative held a deep hatred for the Nazis after they murdered his sister and her children, and had a particular obsession with nailing Eichmann.

Hanna also has a romantic past with Malkin. Kroll plays Rossi, a major organizer of the plot to capture the fugitive Nazi. Chris Weitz is directing the script by Matthew Orton. Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and La La Land’s Fred Berger will produce under their Automatik banner alongside Isaac and Inspire Entertainment’s, Jason Spire. Bridge of Spies scribe Matt Charman is executive producer.

Background

Eichmann organized the transport of Jews from countries all over Europe to concentration camps, where millions were murdered. After the war, he fled to his home country of Austria and then moved to Argentina. The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad uncovered the whereabouts of the infamous Nazi in 1960, and teams of Mossad and Shin Bet agents staged a raid to capture the war criminal and brought him to Israel to face crimes against humanity and the Jewish people.

He was sentenced to hang and was executed in 1962, unrepentant all the way to the grave. The thriller is closer to the tone of Argo than Munich in creating thriller stakes in the manhunt for one of the most diabolical war criminals of the 20th century.

Trailer

Hunting Eichmann Operation Finale

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FAQ Passport History pasaporte passeport паспорт 护照 パスポート جواز سفر पासपोर्ट

1. What are the earliest known examples of passports, and how have they evolved?

The word "passport" came up only in the mid 15th Century. Before that, such documents were safe conducts, recommendations or protection letters. On a practical aspect, the earliest passport I have seen was from the mid 16th Century. Read more...

2. Are there any notable historical figures or personalities whose passports are highly sought after by collectors?

Every collector is doing well to define his collection focus, and yes, there are collectors looking for Celebrity passports and travel documents of historical figures like Winston Churchill, Brothers Grimm, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Read more...

3. How did passport designs and security features change throughout different periods in history, and what impact did these changes have on forgery prevention?

"Passports" before the 18th Century had a pure functional character. Security features were, in the best case, a watermark and a wax seal. Forgery, back then, was not an issue like it is nowadays. Only from the 1980s on, security features became a thing. A state-of-the-art passport nowadays has dozens of security features - visible and invisible. Some are known only by the security document printer itself. Read more...

4. What are some of the rarest and most valuable historical passports that have ever been sold or auctioned?

Lou Gehrig, Victor Tsoi, Marilyn Monroe, James Joyce, and Albert Einstein when it comes to the most expensive ones. Read more...

5. How do diplomatic passports differ from regular passports, and what makes them significant to collectors?

Such documents were often held by officials in high ranks, like ambassadors, consuls or special envoys. Furthermore, these travel documents are often frequently traveled. Hence, they hold a tapestry of stamps or visas. Partly from unusual places.

6. Can you provide insights into the stories behind specific historical passports that offer unique insights into past travel and migration trends?

A passport tells the story of its bearer and these stories can be everything - surprising, sad, vivid. Isabella Bird and her travels (1831-1904) or Mary Kingsley, a fearless Lady explorer.

7. What role did passports play during significant historical events, such as wartime travel restrictions or international treaties?

During war, a passport could have been a matter of life or death. Especially, when we are looking into WWII and the Holocaust. And yes, during that time, passports and similar documents were often forged to escape and save lives. Example...

8. How has the emergence of digital passports and biometric identification impacted the world of passport collecting?

Current modern passports having now often a sparkling, flashy design. This has mainly two reasons. 1. Improved security and 2. Displaying a countries' heritage, icons, and important figures or achievements. I can fully understand that those modern documents are wanted, especially by younger collectors.

9. Are there any specialized collections of passports, such as those from a specific country, era, or distinguished individuals?

Yes, the University of Western Sidney Library has e.g. a passport collection of the former prime minister Hon Edward Gough Whitlam and his wife Margaret. They are all diplomatic passports and I had the pleasure to apprise them. I hold e.g. a collection of almost all types of the German Empire passports (only 2 types are still missing). Also, my East German passport collection is quite extensive with pretty rare passport types.

10. Where can passport collectors find reliable resources and reputable sellers to expand their collection and learn more about passport history?

A good start is eBay, Delcampe, flea markets, garage or estate sales. The more significant travel documents you probably find at the classic auction houses. Sometimes I also offer documents from my archive/collection. See offers... As you are already here, you surely found a great source on the topic 😉

Other great sources are: Scottish Passports, The Nansen passport, The secret lives of diplomatic couriers

11. Is vintage passport collecting legal? What are the regulations and considerations collectors should know when acquiring historical passports?

First, it's important to stress that each country has its own laws when it comes to passports. Collecting old vintage passports for historical or educational reasons is safe and legal, or at least tolerated. More details on the legal aspects are here...

Does this article spark your curiosity about passport collecting and the history of passports? With this valuable information, you have a good basis to start your own passport collection.

Question? Contact me...

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