The Debt

I found the ambiguity of the first half of this film very interesting in terms of its relationship with the material we are learning. We are aware of the three undercover agents that are in Berlin on a top secret mission. And we are also aware of the criminal that they are after; a doctor that examines Rachel and is suspected of Nazi related medical experimentation on Jews. But no particular experiments or unethical human testing has been exposed to us yet, and all we have so far to base judgment on him now, is his demeanor. His persona so far fits that of a mad doctor. He presents a creepy but professional front when he is examining Rachel and these traits resemble another medical madman that we studied: Josef Mengele. It is interesting how this film uses this doctor to sort of represent Mengele. He seems caring and considerate, but is a man that has utilized his power to exploit people that are vulnerable. It is also interesting to me how the filmmakers choose to send the character Rachel in for infertility testing. They could have made the character go in for check-ups, or for limb pains, or other common illnesses. But her being tested for infertility, combined with the doctor’s threatening and creepy nature, provides for an atmosphere of sexual tension and violation. The fact that this doctor, who we know is guilty of medical crimes, and who is already creepy enough, is consistently examining Rachel in an inappropriate place enhances this character’s madness. There are many elements playing in this doctor’s character and it will be very interesting to find out the particular experiments he performed, and the overall fate of this fiend.

By: Jake Baldwin