Watch at Home 09.12.2023

Ahead of Time: The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber

Directed by Robert Richman
Film Movement
2009
73 Minutes
USA, Israel
English, Hebrew
Documentary, Biography
Not Rated

Born in Brooklyn in 1911, Ruth Gruber was the world's youngest PhD at age 20. Four years later she became a New York Herald Tribune reporter as well as the first journalist to enter the Soviet Arctic. A trusted member of the Roosevelt Administration during WWII, she was chosen to escort Holocaust refugees from Naples to New York for a secret wartime mission in 1944.

A feminist before feminism, Ruth was never just an observer, she was a participant in the making of history. She covered the turbulent Middle East throughout the 1940s, and her photos of the ship Exodus 1947 were published in Life Magazine and around the world. With her love of adventure, fearlessness and powerful intellect, Ruth defied tradition and in the process, emerged as the eyes and conscience of the world.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Robert Richman
  • Starring: Ruth Gruber

Trailer

Photos

Reviews

  • "[This] graceful documentary portrait directed by Bob Richman, illustrates just how extraordinary her life [subject Ruth Gruber] has been."
    Andy Webster, The New York Times
  • "An inspiring documentary about a remarkable woman, “Ahead of Time” deftly recounts the career highlights — and what highlights they are! — of pioneering journalist, humanitarian and feminist Ruth Gruber...."
    Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
  • "Through interviews, photos and letters, Robert Richman's documentary gives insight into Gruber's life as well as the immense potential that comes with an irrepressible personality and a good dose of patience."
    Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
  • "Richman's eye for talking-head cleanliness and spritely archival interpolation betrays the project's undeniable professionalism."
    Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
  • "The journalist as advocate and activist has rarely been contained in a more compelling package than Ruth Gruber."
    Betsy Sherman, Boston Phoenix
  • "Richman does a bang-up job with rare archival footage and new vrit interviews, even allowing for Gruber's acquaintances and their descendants to grill the still-sharp nonagenarian."
    Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
  • "A case study in pioneering feminist courage, ambition and individualism."
    Nick Schager, Time Out
  • "[A] deeply touching film."
    Shlomo Schwartzberg , Forward