Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living… in the middle of the World War II. Frank, an art conservationist, realizes that Europe’s artistic treasures are among the many casualties of the devastating war, and he is not pleased. “This is our history," Frank says, "and it’s not to be stolen or destroyed."
Visiting… the frontlines of occupied Europe. After convincing the President of the value of Europe's art, Frank and a team of art historians and conservationists are deployed to save masterpieces as part of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program.
Profession… art historian turned lieutenant. While the two professions seem like complete opposites, it is Frank's passion for art that actually makes him such a effective leader. Frank is disgusted by the Nazis' defacement of historical masterpieces, and he will fight to protect Europe's artistic treasures.
Interests… art, history, and the achievements of human civilization. While some of his commanders may scoff, Frank believes that Europe's artistic treasures are precisely what the Allies should be fighting for. As he tells James Granger, "If you destroy an entire generation of people’s culture, it’s as if they never existed. That’s what Hitler wants, and it’s one thing we can’t allow."
Challenge… saving Europe's artistic history while protecting his men. If rescuing valuable artworks from the Nazis wasn't hard enough, Frank and his team are on the frontlines with the normal infantrymen – and just like normal infantrymen, they're suspectible to being shot or killed.
Personality… passionate, intelligent, and caring. Though far older than most soldiers, Frank has a strong sense of duty and is capable of inspiring others, including President Roosevelt, to feel the reverence he has for art.
Get to Know him in...
-
Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, The Monuments Men is an action drama focusing on seven over-the-hill, out-of-shape museum directors, artists, architects, curators, and art historians who went to the front lines of WWII to rescue the world’s artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their rightful owners. With the art hidden behind enemy lines, how could these guys hope to succeed?
-
At the same time Adolf Hitler was attempting to take over the western world, his armies were methodically seeking and hoarding the finest art treasures in Europe. The Fuehrer had begun cataloguing the art he planned to collect as well as the art he would destroy: "degenerate" works he despised. In a race against time, behind enemy lines, often unarmed, a special force of American and British museum directors, curators, art historians, and others, called the Momuments Men, risked their lives scouring Europe to prevent the destruction of thousands of years of culture. Focusing on the eleven-month period between D-Day and V-E Day, this fascinating account follows six Monuments Men and their impossible mission to save the world's great art from the Nazis.
