Meryl Streep learned Polish and German in order to lend authenticity to this grim but gripping post-Holocaust drama.

Her gut-wrenching performance was duly rewarded with a Best Actress Oscar - her second statuette following 'Kramer Vs Kramer'.

For a full three quarters of the film's running time, it appears that the choice facing Streep's character is between the two love rivals (Broadway musical star Kevin Kline, in his film debut, and young Peter - Ally McBeal - MacNicol) in the boarding house where they live.

But the truth is far more horrifying.

Some of the war footage is hard to watch and the language is fairly abrasive.

Marvin Hamlisch took an Oscar for the score.