PLAN A is based on the incredible true story of the “Avengers“ – a group of Jewish vigilantes, men and women, who after surviving the Holocaust vow to avenge the death of their people – “an eye for any eye, a tooth for a tooth“.

Max (August Diehl) is a Holocaust survivor who has lost his entire family in the camps. Full of rage and with nothing left to live for other than revenge, he decides to help the Jewish Brigade, soldiers under British command (led by Michael Aloni). Off the record they find and execute Nazis accused of holding leadership positions in the Nazi system. When the brigade is called off, Max follows Anna (Sylvia Hoeks) and a group of former partisans to Nuremberg, where they soon realize that they will not find redemption in the upcoming Nuremberg trials.

Led by charismatic leader Abba Kovner, they formulate the biggest revenge operation in history – “Plan A“. They infiltrate German water companies as undercover engineers with only one goal: to poison the drinking water in Nuremberg, Munich, Cologne, Weimar and Hamburg and “to kill six million Germans, one for every Jew slaughtered by the Germans“.

Based on the book Nakam by Prof. Dina Porat, chief historian at Yad Vashem, PLAN A asks the impossible question of how survivors plagued by traumatic memories struggled with conflicting feelings about a lust for justice and the desire for payback.

For thoughts on Plan A, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/6XO5FyU1Fr0?t=3451]

Video Quality

Plan A debuts on Blu-Ray with a 1080p presentation in its original aspect ratio that looks pretty strong overall. The movie has a cool palette that renders very nicely on screen, allowing the world a more desaturated look which suits the tone of the narrative. There are certain deep hues within the expanses of nature that make more of an impression. The movie often takes place at night or in shadow, which is helped along by solid black levels that hold together without issue. Objects retain their detail in these instances and maintain their depth with banding only showing up in a few intermittent instances. The transfer delivers a stellar amount of detail and clarity within the environment. No damage or digital noise was detected that would detract from this transfer. Menemsha Films and Kino Lorber have given this one a well executed transfer.

Audio Quality

The film comes to Blu-Ray with an effective DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track that executes the sound design perfectly. Dialogue and sound effects are balanced pretty well with the score where nothing loses clarity. The movie shows its strength when it comes to environmental sounds that foster a very immersive atmosphere. Surround channels create a notable sense of spatial awareness with sounds emanating from all of their distinct points. The low end comes alive as things get more tense near the finale with ample texture added to the atmosphere. This audio track does everything that is asked of it. There are English SDH subtitles provided.

Special Features

Trailers: The nearly two-and-a-half minute trailer is provided for Plan A. There are also trailers provided for Here We Are, An Impossible Love, Kiss Me Kosher and Those Who Remained.

Final Thoughts

Plan A is an effectively realized piece of history which has not been depicted very often on screen. The performers sell the frustration and anger that these individuals hold within themselves that drives their hunger for revenge. August Diehl has proven himself a very formidable actor who brings an added gravitas to the journey. While not a traditionally big-budget production, the creative team brings a real artistry to the picture which keeps you immersed in the world that is being brought to life on screen. Menemsha Films and Kino Lorber have released a Blu-Ray featuring a lovely A/V presentation but not much in the way of special features. If you are intrigued by morally complex historical dramas, this one is worth keeping on your radar. Recommended

Plan A is currently available to purchase on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Menemsha Films and Kino Lorber have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.