THE EXILES is the dramatic story of the European artists, intellectuals and scientists who fled totalitrianism and emigrated to the United States before America's entry into World War II. The personal stories of these writers, artists, muscians and scholars, and their impact on American life and culture, are documented with archival materials, original interviews with surviving participants and witnesses, and evocative reenactments.

Filmed and taped on location throughout Europe and the United States, THE EXILES also chronicles the efforts of individuals and organizations who participated in what was ultimately the most significant rescue of oppressed intellectuals and artists in modern history. THE EXILES is testimony to the enduring strength of the human spirit and man's quest for artistic and intellectual freedom.

From 1933 until America's entry into World War II, many distinguished artists and scholars who opposed the Nazi and Fascist regimes in Europe found a new home in the United States. This is their story.

The first hour of THE EXILES ... Departure, Rescue, Arrival portrays the eventsthatforced these men and women to flee their countries and seek refuge. It depicts the rescue efforts of both organizations and privatecitizens who helped many of the refugees toescapeand who were responsible for bringing them to safety in theUnited States. It also shows the vehement opposition tothe entry of theexilesby other groups and individuals intent onre- stricting immigrationand keeping "Americafor the Americans." Part 1 closes with a recounting of the initial reactions of the exiles to America, a country that to many of them was a new and strange land.

The second hour of THE EXILES ...Contributions to their adopted land... begins on December 7,1941, the day Japanattacked Pearl Harbor precipitating the United Statesentry into World War II. Beginning with the work of the exiledphysicistswho helped in the development of the atomic bomb, it chronicles many of the refugees' far reaching contributions to culture and scholarship in their adopted country. It documents the wide ranging impact of the exiled writers,artists and scholars in such diverse fields as music, painting, architecture, publishing, philosophy, psychoanalysis, literature, theater and motion pictures. Their achievements are shown in the context of some of the major events in recent American history.

The film concludeswithanexpression of the exiles'concern for the future rather than with their taking a backward look at the past.