Morgenthau

The storied Morgenthau family embraced public service in a way that shaped their lives and influenced world events. Henry Morgenthau Sr. was U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and a voice in the efforts to take action against the Armenian genocide. Henry Jr., his son, served as secretary of the treasury under Franklin D. Roosevelt, helped design the New Deal, and worked to aid Jewish Holocaust refugees. Grandson Robert rose in prominence as U.S. Attorney under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. After being wedged out by Richard Nixon, he became district attorney of New York County, where he bucked politics and targeted organized and white-collar crime. Evocative archival film, stills, and memories of close family members create an artful blend of events and biography that highlights the accomplishments, associations, and influences of each man. The still feisty Robert Morgenthau appears throughout. His vivid reminiscences and humble narrative personify the commitment and integrity of the family.