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The assistant

Threat advisory: Under evaluation

Movie propaganda

Frank Alpine (Gil Bellows) is a homeless drifter, struggling for work during the great depression. He joins forces with the rough and seedy Ward Minogue (Jaimz Woolvett) and together they rob a small neighbourhood grocery store. Frank is shaken when he sees from behind his mask, the violent anti-Semitism that his partner unleashes on the elderly grocer, Morris Bober (Armin Mueller-Stahl).

Plagued with remorse, Frank goes to work for the grocer who is now recovering from the brutal attack. Keeping his part in the robbery a dark secret, Frank dedicates himself to his job. Living in the store, working long, gruelling hours, he is drawn to Morris' beautiful and determined daughter, Helen (Kate Greenhouse). As a gentile, Frank is viewed with suspicion by her mother Ida (Joan Plowright). Aware of her mother's old-world views, Helen keeps Frank's romantic interest a secret.

Just as Frank's life has finally turned around and he feels that he has a place where he belongs, the Bobers learn of his part in the robbery.

Security censorship classification

MA 15+ (Medium level violence)

Surveillance time

106 minutes (1:46 hours)

Not for public release in Australia before date

8 March 2000