The Search

The Search
Directed byFred Zinnemann
Written byRichard Schweizer
David Wechsler [de] (collaborator)
Paul Jarrico (additional dialogue)
Produced byLazar Wechsler [de]
StarringMontgomery Clift
Aline MacMahon
Jarmila Novotná
Wendell Corey
Ivan Jandl
CinematographyEmil Berna
Edited byHermann Haller
Music byRobert Blum
Production
company
Distributed byLoew's, Inc.
Release date
  • March 23, 1948 (1948-03-23)
Running time
105 min.
CountriesUnited States
Switzerland
LanguageEnglish
Budget$250,000[1]
Box office$850,000 (domestic rentals US)[2]

The Search is a 1948 American film directed by Fred Zinnemann that tells the story of a young Auschwitz survivor and his mother who search for each other across post-World War II Europe. It stars Montgomery Clift, Ivan Jandl, Jarmila Novotná and Aline MacMahon.

Many scenes were shot amidst the actual ruins of the postwar German cities Ingolstadt, Munich, Nuremberg and Würzburg.[3] Filming took place between June and November 1947, first on location in Germany and then at a studio in Zurich, Switzerland for interior scenes. Although released in the United States in March 1948, the film was not released in Britain until May 1950. Its European premiere was held at the Empire, Leicester Square in London on November 2, 1949 in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, with Queen Mary in attendance.

Jandl's performance was recognized with a special juvenile Academy Award. However, the communist government of Czechoslovakia would not permit Jandl to travel to the United States to collect the Oscar and a Golden Globe award that he had also won. Zinnemann accepted the Oscar on Jandl's behalf and the awards were delivered to Jandl in Prague.

  1. ^ "The Search". AFI Catalog. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Inside stuff - pictures". Variety. 13 July 1949. p. 20.
  3. ^ "Filming locations for The Search (1948)". IMDb.