Varian’s War

During Kristallnacht in 1938, Varian Fry witnesses the brutal treatment of Jews by the Nazis. He is overwhelmed and physically ill as SA men beat and harass victims, an experience that steels his resolve to act on their behalf.

Fry returns to the United States and canvasses influential friends, but he encounters indifference and antisemitism from many quarters. He formulates a plan to aid refugees and includes a list featuring Marc Chagall as he approaches the State Department for support.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt intervenes on Fry's behalf, urging him to look into Lion Feuchtwanger who has been imprisoned by the French in Camp des Milles. Her involvement lends credibility to Fry's mission and helps him gain traction with officials.

In 1940 Fry travels to Marseille in unoccupied Vichy France with funds intended to bribe officials and facilitate the escape of Jewish artists. He senses urgency as the Nazi threat tightens and legal channels close.

Fry learns that Vice Consul Harry Bingham is an ally who has worked with Waitstill and Martha Sharp. Bingham has hosted Feuchtwanger, Hannah Arendt, and Marc and Bella Chagall, signaling a possible path for safe passage for refugees.

Chagall and other expatriates believe they are safe in Vichy France, ignoring the surrender terms that could force France to hand over refugees. Tensions rise as people realize the risks of staying.

Fry and Miriam Davenport establish an informal operation from a hotel room to screen refugees seeking passage. Davenport's involvement accelerates the organization of escape routes and documentation.

Two accomplices, Albert Hirschman ( Beamish ) and Bill Freier, join Fry's effort. With their forged passes and identification cards, they help create many entry documents for refugees.

Using picture-perfect forged documents, Fry begins sending Jewish artists out of France to Spain, where they can arrange eventual transport to the United States. The operation relies on skilled forgery and careful screening of refugees.

French and German officials grow suspicious of Fry's activities and assign agents to shadow him. A Nazi officer, Marius Franken, is among those tracking his movements.

Fry and Davenport shepherd a large group of frightened refugees first by train, then on a grueling hike through a mountain forest toward a border checkpoint. Their documents are checked, and hope mounts with each close call.

Despite near misses, the group reaches neutral Spain and begins to find routes to safety. The escape plan succeeds in moving refugees across the Pyrenees to freedom.

In just under one year, Fry's clandestine route has freed more than 2,000 artists, authors, scientists, and intellectuals. The exodus includes notable figures such as Chagall, Arendt, Lipchitz, Mann, Masson, and Feuchtwanger.