Perhaps the loss of 12 minutes of running time moves the action forward somewhat, but the film was made with some care and I myself would prefer to see the entire film, without cuts. User Ratings It centers on the activities of Reinhard Heydrich, the Reich Protector of Czechoslovakia. Well-acted, it told the true story of the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the German 'Reichsprotektor' of Bohemia and Moravia (mostly the present-day Czech Republic). 'Operation Daybreak' Which is based on a true story Is a criminally and largely Un-Seen Classic. WARNING: Unless you're okay watching lengthy sequences where characters speak in German without subtitles, DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!!! Based on facts about the operation carried out in Prague on 27 May 1942 after having been prepared by the British Special Operations Executive. My husband and I watched it again last night and I simply broke down and cried for ten minutes. Directed by Lewis Gilbert. If you cannot obtain Wannseekonferenz, the more recent (2001) English remake (Conspiracy, with Kenneth Branagh) will do. This is an interesting film. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. Hopefully a future DVD release will address the subtitle problem. A moving and largely true tale of the assassination of Heydrich. Well worth the time. It was Heydrich that was mainly responsible for the 'Final Solution' and in all probability 11,000,000 Jews would have been murdered if he had lived. His part is played by Anton Differing, the archetypal high up Nazi, who also appeared in the film "Where Eagles Dare". | It also underlines that while the Czechs assassinated Heydrich for purely national reasons, there was no lack of other justifications. I am definately after a VHS or DVD copy of this film if available. Top positive review See all 69 positive reviews › dj judge 4.0 out of 5 stars Operation Daybreak Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2001 This is an interesting film. For an older, low budget film, they did a very good job in sticking to the true story. British-trained Czech partisans (Timothy Bottoms, Martin Shaw, Joss Ackland) come home to assassinate the Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich. Leaves you in the dark as to what is going on. Brilliant film and, surprisingly, almost completely true. I of course have this in VCD - and there are many stunning moments in this film which I have watched repeatedly and recommended heavily to one and all. I remember him as a German officer in the castle in Where Eagles Dare another great war movie. Was the killing of Heydrich, the "Hangman" to the Czechs, really necessary, considering the consequences? Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2017. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Such waste of young lives... To read the later fates of the characters in the credits was particularly wrenching. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. Coming Soon. You will have to find your own answers. I even ordered a couple of books on Heydrich from Amazon, as well as the novel "Seven men at Daybreak" on which the movie is based. Accounts of Heydrich's assassination (Operation Anthropoid) vary a great deal and I wouldn't entirely trust any account of this event, as each biographer (and country) seems to have their own agenda. This production fell by 70% after Heydrich's death, and not surprisingly lead to the collapse of the Russian divisions, who relied mostly on the weaponry produced in Czechoslovakia. So if anyone knows if this film is to be launched on DVD or where I can get a VHS copy, let me know thanks. FAQ External Reviews Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2014. A superb film that is almost vanishing from recognition. And have you ever seen tackier cover artwork? SS General Reinhard Heydrich (Anton Diffring) was assassinated by Czech members of the British forces in 1942 and this well made film seeks to convey their story. It was a riveting movie I never forgot; I taped it from network TV about 12 years ago, and I recently started watching it again. A film of love and hate and the darkest days of the second world war. In 1942, Britain sends a group of British-trained Czech commandos to Prague to assassinate SS-General Reinhard Heydrich, head of the Nazi security services. Every character was essential and all the actors played their parts well.I have tried to get this film on VHS and DVD but unsuccessfully. Beautiful use was made of Prague's older quarters. Cold blooded, calculating, he is accurately portrayed as ruthless and vain. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. actor Anton Diffring has seemed to have made a career of playing Nazis, firstly i remember him as sports commutators in another forgotten world war II classic Escape To Victory or in the USA as it is known Victory, but luckily enough got that one on Amazon.