Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1905 to Jewish civil servants Gabriel and Elsa Frankl, Doctor Viktor Frankl was a scholar of neurology and psychiatry, taking a serious interest in the field from the age 16. During his teenage years, Frankl met renowned Viennese psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler, whose work inspired his explorations and discoveries.
In 1942, Frankl was arrested by Nazi troops and deported to the Theresienstadt Camp-Ghetto, located in Czechoslovakia. He entered with his wife and parents, but was separated from his family as he moved between four different concentration camps—including Auschwitz—over three years. During his time in the camps, Frankl remained deeply reflective, developing logotherapy. After the war, he returned home to Vienna and continued his psychiatric practice, using his experience in the camps to better understand his patients' suffering. At the time of his death in 1997, Frankl was one of most notable neurologists and psychiatrists in the world. Translated into over 20 languages, Frankl's seminal postwar text Man's Search for Meaning has sold over ten million copies. For this role, we recommend American actor Adrien Brody, who won an Oscar for his performance in 2003's The Pianist, another WWII drama detailing one man's struggle for survival under the brutal Nazi regime.
As the first wife of Viktor Frankl, Tilly Grosser will surely be included in this film. The two married in 1941, just before their arrest by Nazi troops. Tilly was moved to Bergen-Belsen in northern Germany, a separate camp from Frankl, while pregnant with their child. Frankl later found out that she was murdered there. We imagine Rose Byrne would give an award-worthy performance in this role. The Australian actress' talent across the sci-fi, action, and comedy genres has earned her two Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations.
The first woman to be ordained as a rabbi, Regina Jonas also lived the Nazi Theresienstadt Ghetto located in Czechoslovakia (where Frankl and his family were first deported). Frankl asked her for help in building a crisis intervention service within the camp to improve the possibility of surviving by helping to prevent suicide attempts. American actress Ginnifer Goodwin would be our pick to breathe life into Jonas, who played a major part in Frankl's personal development during this time. Goodwin's award-recognized performance in fantasy dramas and distinct voice from leading animated roles makes her the perfect fit to play this historically significant woman.
Following the end of the War, Frankl met Eleonore Katharina Schwindt, a devout Viennese Catholic. Eleonore and Viktor embraced each other's religious backgrounds, building a strong bond throughout the years going to both church and synagogue, and celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah. The couple had one daughter and Eleonore supported Viktor in his postwar career. We think English actress Tuppence Middleton, who recently starred in the miniseries adaptation of War & Peace, would make a most-promising choice for this role.
Sigmund Freud was a major influence on Frankl's studies in psychology and philosophy. While in high school, Frankl met Freud, and that moment remained a touchstone, inspiring Frankl throughout his career and life. Who could more fittingly play the role of Freud than the legendary Pierce Brosnan? The James Bond star would do well as the father of psychoanalysis and one of the 20th century's most influential thinkers.
Shortly after marrying, Viktor and Eleonore had their daughter Gabriele. Inspired by her father, she went on to become Dr. Gabriele Frankl-Vesely, a psychiatrist and president of The Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna. We'd like to suggest Phoebe Tonkin to take on this role. The rising Australian actress is best known for her leading role in 2013 spin-off series to The Vampire Diaries, The Originals.
