The Fixer (1968)
John Frankenheimer's searing drama of injustice, endurance, and moral courage in the shadow of tsarist antisemitism.
The Fixer - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1968
- Directed by: John Frankenheimer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 12m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 8, 1968 (United States), September 20, 1969 (United Kingdom - 15), June 18, 1969 (France)
- Production Companies: John Frankenheimer Productions Inc., Edward Lewis Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Fixer - Plot
Set in tsarist Russia around the turn of the century and based on a true story of a Russian Jewish peasant Yakov Bog who was wrongly imprisoned for a most unlikely crime - the "ritual murder" of a Gentile child in Kyiv. We witness the unrelenting detail of the peasant handyman's life in prison and see him gain in dignity as the efforts to humiliate him and make him confess fail.
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The Fixer - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Frankenheimer
Main Cast
- Alan Bates
- Dirk Bogarde
- Georgia Brown
- Ian Holm
- David Warner
- Hugh Griffith
- Elizabeth Hartman
- Murray Melvin
- Carol White
- Michael Goodliffe
Writers
- Dalton Trumbo
Producers
- Edward Lewis
The Fixer - FAQs
Is The Fixer based on a true story?
Yes. The Fixer is based on Bernard Malamud's 1966 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which was itself inspired by the real case of Menahem Mendel Beilis, a Jewish man falsely accused of ritual murder in Kiev in 1911 and subjected to a notorious antisemitic show trial in tsarist Russia.
Who are the main actors in The Fixer?
The Fixer stars Alan Bates as Yakov Bok, the wrongly imprisoned Jewish peasant, alongside Dirk Bogarde as the sympathetic magistrate Bibikov, Ian Holm as the scheming Grubeshov, David Warner as Count Odoevsky, Georgia Brown, Elizabeth Hartman, Hugh Griffith, and Carol White.
What is The Fixer about?
Set in early 20th-century tsarist Russia, The Fixer follows Yakov Bok, a Jewish peasant handyman falsely accused of ritually murdering a Gentile child in Kyiv. Imprisoned without trial, he endures brutal persecution and psychological torment, yet refuses to confess, gradually transforming his suffering into an act of profound moral resistance.
Did Alan Bates win any awards for The Fixer?
Yes. Alan Bates received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama for his performance as Yakov Bok in The Fixer. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, earning widespread critical recognition for his intense and deeply committed portrayal.
Who directed The Fixer and who wrote the screenplay?
The Fixer was directed by John Frankenheimer, known for political thrillers such as The Manchurian Candidate and Seconds. The screenplay was written by Dalton Trumbo, the blacklisted Hollywood writer who had only recently been able to work under his own name again after years of persecution.
What is the runtime and release date of The Fixer?
The Fixer runs for 132 minutes and was first released in the United States on December 8, 1968. It subsequently opened in France on June 18, 1969, and in the United Kingdom on September 20, 1969.
What are films similar to The Fixer?
Viewers who appreciate The Fixer often respond strongly to To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), Schindler's List (1993), Life Is Beautiful (1997), The Pianist (2002), and Soldier of Orange (1977) — films that similarly explore injustice, persecution, and human dignity under oppressive systems.
Where can I watch The Fixer online?
Streaming availability for The Fixer varies by region and platform. You can check current viewing options, including rental, purchase, and subscription services available in your area, by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information across multiple platforms.
More About The Fixer
Explore further details, credits, and data for The Fixer on these authoritative resources.