Bonhoeffer: Holy Traitor
Bonhoeffer: Holy Traitor (film also known as Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin)
Stars: Jonas Dassler, August Diehl, David Jonsson, Flula Borg, Moritz Bleibtreu, William Robinson and Clarke Peters
Director/Scriptwriter: Todd Komarnicki
Composer: Edward Farmer, original jazz songs, Ryan Svendsen, Head of Music
Cinematography: John Mattieson
Tharos Films/Angel Studios
Rating: PG 13
Running Length: 132 Minutes
Much has been written about Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who defied the Nazi Regime of WWII to help
members of the Jewish population escape confinement and death. This film depicts Bonhoeffer’s life in sections, as though scenes in a play. You can tell the advancement in years from the hair style of the lead actor, as he goes from youth to seminary to traveling the world seeking help This is an emotional journey through time as we see the advancement of cruelty and downright barbarism. The drama that Bonhoeffer raises upon his family is, also, heart rendering. He is just never home, but out helping others. Jonas Dassler dons the role of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer and wears the mantle with ease. It gives the word “sacrifice” new meaning.
The Bonhoeffer film begins with children at play and then goes to adulthood and 1945. One can see that the roads in Bavaria are bad, but where are these men going? From then on, there are flashbacks to tell the story that begins for us in 1930. Dietrich decides to become a minister, or as sometimes stated, a theologian. He is drawn to, what is known then as, a black jazz band and likes the freedom of the music. He is the only white man in the jazz club, and fits in with the talk of the time. The story goes from prison and back to Bonhoeffer gradually deciding what to do to help the Jewish people and how to go about doing it. His name becomes known to the Nazi Regime from his sermons that tell the congregation “Not to give themselves away to Hitler’s words.” This culminates through the years when Hitler has an Aryan Bible printed with 12 Commandments to use instead of the King James Version. It really causes an uprising and the talk of killing Hitler. What to do?
You can see the slow decline of the fate of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Each new time on camera, he is that much older, wears glasses and just won’t give up. We know something will happen, and it floats overhead like a black cloud. When? The war is being waged, planes fly over his prison, where will the bombs land? This is a touching story of one man’s journey into helping others. You see that at one time, Jews were “sold” as workers at the Swiss Border which, in actuality, they were going to freedom. This was a small task considering the death camps throughout Germany.
Along with Jonas Dassler, there is a group of fine actors to finish Bonhoeffer’s life. There is August Diehl as Martin Nimbler, Flula Borg as Hans von Dohnanyl, Moritz Bleibtreu as Karl Bonhoeffer and Clarke Peters as Reverend Powell, Sr Music is a highlight here, also, and well distributed throughout. Cinematography by John Mattieson brings the audience into the scenes with intensity and the darkness of a prison cell is dramatic.
Bring handkerchief.
This film critic was in college with a friend who had a relative also a German minister helping Jews to escape Germany, This minister disappeared and was never heard from again.
Four Tocks
Copyright 2024 Marie Asner
