Alexander

Synopsis

"The end of the war was just the beginning..."

ALEXANDER is a six-hour limited series that follows the gripping and inspirational journey of a 13-year-old Hungarian boy named Alexander Schneider. Set against the chaotic beauty of post-World War II Eastern Europe in 1945, a setting ripe with dramatic potential, this series chronicles Alex's daring quest to find his two older sisters, believed to be alive somewhere in Soviet-occupied Europe.

Based on a true story, ALEXANDER depicts how Alex, after surviving five concentration camps with his father, is left alone, losing him to illness days after liberation. With his dying breath, Alex's father makes him promise to find his sisters, the last remaining members of his family not murdered at Auschwitz.

Determined to honor his father's last wish, Alex, with the courage of a prophet and the wits of a pickpocket, embarks on an epic journey across a war-ravaged Eastern Europe. A hero as clever and spirited as The Artful Dodger and armed with the ability to speak Hungarian, Russian, German, Polish, and Yiddish, Alex's adventures and miraculous escapes evoke the historical sweep of a Charles Dickens tale.

ALEXANDER pulls back the curtain on postwar Eastern Europe, a savage landscape slowly emerging from years of unspeakable horror. This journey, seen through the eyes of a young boy fighting to keep his promise, provides a vivid backdrop of shattering betrayals and unexpected acts of kindness. The narrative speaks to all displaced persons throughout time who have wandered through shattered worlds, searching for a sense of home.

ALEXANDER is more than a historical saga; it's an emotional roller coaster and a testament to the power of faith, the indomitable human spirit and family. As a series that combines historical authenticity with cinematic storytelling, it will resonate with audiences worldwide. Its international appeal and timeless narrative make it a story that matters today.

The Journey

Alex's postwar journey takes over a year and covers six countries, including such iconic cities as Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, and Berlin, all then under chaotic Soviet rule. He encounters Russians, Germans, Poles, Ukrainians, Czechs, Romanians, and Brits—soldiers, generals, vagabonds, thieves, nuns, farmers, and train engineers.

Throughout his journey, his father speaks to him, and although Alex finds himself continually arguing with his father in his head, he draws upon his wisdom and humanity time and again to survive physically and spiritually. Early on, a Rabbi blessed Alex, telling him that the angels would watch over him. Though his pluck should have gotten him killed numerous times, there always seemed to be an angel watching over his shoulder.

Themes

This is an adventure story with a built-in coming-of-age theme about a boy who must survive not only physically, but emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. It's the story of a boy who must find a way to stay sane in an insane world.

• Faith and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss
• The promise between father and son
• Displaced persons searching for home in a shattered world
• The indomitable human spirit
• Survival through wit, courage, and unexpected kindness

Why This Story Matters Today

A Universal Odyssey: Alex's journey is a testament to all displaced persons seeking a sense of home in a shattered world. This narrative resonates globally and is profoundly relevant today as a refugee's quest for sanctuary parallels today's displaced families seeking safety.

Cinematic Brilliance: ALEXANDER offers unique directorial opportunities, unveiling Eastern Europe in 1945 through the eyes of a spirited, multilingual young hero. This setting, rife with dramatic potential, is a world where civilization slowly reemerges from savagery, offering a mix of shattering betrayals and unexpected kindnesses.

Not Another Holocaust Story: This is where most Holocaust stories end—with liberation. ALEXANDER begins there and explores what came after, the chaotic post-war world that survivors faced alone.

Creative Structure

Inspired by THE GODFATHER PARTS ONE AND TWO, ALEXANDER uses extended flashbacks effectively, engaging viewers with a compelling present-day story while delving deeply into Alex's wartime experiences, including his miraculous survival at Auschwitz and his experiences at Plaszcow concentration camp.

The pilot script and series bible were written by Jeff Melvoin and Loucas George and are available for review upon request.

Jeff Melvoin was supervising producer and writer on Northern Exposure, for which he earned an Emmy Award and two Golden Globes. Other key shows include Army Wives, Designated Survivor, Alias, and Killing Eve (executive producer season 3). He was awarded the Morgan Cox Award by the WGA in 2015 for his service to the Guild.

Loucas George is an award-winning veteran film and television producer.

Format

Six-hour limited series based on Alexander Schneider's published memoir and extensive videotaped interviews