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The Ritchie Boys

Experiences outweigh doc's conventional methods

By PETER KEOUGH | June 28, 2006

2.5 Stars

The Ritchie Boys

World War II, as one of the subjects of Austrian director Christian Bauer’s The Ritchie Boys reiterates, was the good war. For some more than others. Thousands of Jewish refugees from various European countries, Germany especially, got a chance to fight back against the Nazis when they were recruited to join an Army intelligence unit trained at Fort Ritchie, Maryland. Using their knowledge of the enemy’s language and culture, they interrogated prisoners, gathered intelligence, engaged in psychological warfare and propaganda, and, as one of their number puts it, saved countless lives and ensured victory without firing a shot. Bauer employs tired, conventional tactics to chronicle these unconventional warriors: interviews with the boys today, stock archival footage, colorless voiceover narration. But the irony, absurdity, humor, and tragedy of the experiences triumph.

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