Dr. Lessing

The purpose of Dr. Lessing’s character is to show us the darker side of the film, and the far-reaching effects of the Nazi persecution of the Jews. When we first meet Dr. Lessing, he is eating at the restaurant where Guido is a waiter. Everything about the scene has a calm, civilised atmosphere; his friendly chatter with Guido, the cool white colours, the relaxed pace.

This scene contrasts strongly with Dr. Lessing’s appearance in the concentration camp. At first he doesn’t recognize Guido. When he does recognize Guido, their conversation is tense, furtive and hurried. Guido hopes that Dr. Lessing will be able to help him and his family escape the camp.

Guido is brought in to serve as a waiter at a dinner for the German officials and their families. When Guido and Dr. Lessing finally have a chance to talk, they are shown in a mid shot standing together at the drinks table, with a huge swastika on the wall between them. The composition shows how the Nazis have come between them, and the dominance of the Nazi regime over every aspect of their lives. The extent of Dr. Lessing’s madness is shown in his brief conversation with Guido. Close ups cut between them in over-the-shoulder shots. Dr. Lessing does not appear to understand what Guido says to him; he obsesses over a riddle; he looks distraught, angry, confused. He says “For heaven’s sake, help me! I can’t sleep any more…” and his actions become violent.

We see in Guido’s shocked silence that he has realized Dr. Lessing can’t help him; at the end of the scene we see the mid shot once more, with Guido turning away from the doctor, his shoulders slumped in despair. The viewer then becomes aware that the war has had effects on people other than the Jews. Dr. Lessing is made to act as a doctor to those in the concentration camps; the viewer can only imagine the horrific sights this gentle man must have seen to make him obsess over riddles as a way of avoiding the reality of life under the Nazis.