The Hessen Affair

In 1945 a group of victorious American officers discover a stash of German jewels and try to fence them in New York.

Director:

Paul Breuls

Writers:

Nicholas Meyer, Ronald Roose

Stars:

Billy Zane, Lyne Renee, Michael Bowen

Storyline

1945 - Castle Kronberg, outside Frankfurt, is turned into a 'country club' for victorious American officers. The cynical Colonel Jack Durant and the dazzling beautiful Lieutenant Kathleen Nash uncover the crown jewels of Germany - more diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls than are gathered in any one place outside the Tower of London. Nash and Durant manage to get the gems to New York, where they must deal with gangsters to fence the loot. To make matters worse for the two renegade officers, Princess Sophie discovers the theft of her jewels and complains to American army headquarters. It now turns out that her brother fought for the Allies and is about to marry the future Queen of England. With double-crossing gangland figures trying to control the gems and the army closing in on them, will Kathy Nash and Jack Durant stay true to one other and their plan? Or will one sell the other out?

User Reviews

 

Historical Accuracy Questionable

9 April 2014 | by miller-steve (United States) – See all my reviews

The plot sounded mildly interesting, but I chose to watch this because I wondered if it was based on a true story. The opening credits said it was and that held my interest more than the overall plot. However, some things seemed odd. I'm no historian but from what I know of Germany, there shouldn't have been any German Crown Jewels outside of museums unless the Nazis stole them. A royal German duchess in 1945 also doesn't match what I know. SO after seeing this movie, I got online and confirmed these things don't match history. What it comes down to is that when Hollywood says a movie is based on a true story, the truth MIGHT be that some Private swiped a box of cigars and it got stolen while he tried smuggling it out. And from that a more exciting story is created. I'm disappointed.

Technically, the movie had poor lighting through most of it. The style felt like what we saw in movies made in the 1960's—not that that's bad, but it simply has a low-budget quality.