Todd Komarnicki (Sully) has taken the facts and theology of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and directed an earnest cast in delivering a moving, challenging film about a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the peak of World War II. Komarnicki spun a screenplay that shows us how the adventurous, imaginative child was impacted by his brother’s death during World War I, his own experience of American jazz, and a deepening understanding of God’s love for humanity. It’s inspiring, troubling, and absolutely necessary for people of all beliefs to consider the example of the spiritual struggle of this pastor and activist.
I’ve read The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together. I have read up on the stories about Bonhoeffer as a theologian and as an outspoken opponent of the Nazis. But Komarnicki weaves the threads of Bonhoeffer’s early life: we see how he loved his older brother and the impact of his brother’s death in the First Great War; we see how his parents both encouraged and challenged him as a young person and remained fundamental anchors to the life he lived as a young adult; we see how the impact of the civil rights movement and jazz had on Bonhoeffer’s understanding of grace and the movement of the Holy Spirit; we see how Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemöller impacted each other and the Confessing Church. It’s dramatic, and powerful stuff here.
The acting by relatively unknown Jonas Dassler anchors the film’s rhetoric and emotions, even as Dassler is surrounded by more experienced actors like August Diehl (Inglorious Basterds, A Hidden Life), Flula Berg (The Suicide Squad, Pitch Perfect, Conan O’Brien), and Clarke Peters (The Wire, Harriet). Renowned cinematographer John Mathieson (Gladiator, Logan, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), who often collaborates with Ridley Scott among others, lends his eye to some beautiful scenes and the production values capture the look and feel of the times (and different locations) that Bonhoeffer lived in.
But here’s the thing: Bonhoeffer makes a decision to engage in activity that he considers sinful to combat the harm that he sees happening to others, the Jews, the gypsies, those who protest against the Nazis. He recognizes that he can’t be silent; it’s morally unacceptable for him to do nothing. There are are only two other films I recognize as challenging me theologically like this – Silence and Hacksaw Ridge. That’s rarefied air, isn’t it? And this one asks us to consider what decisions we make to sacrifice our own sense of righteousness for the good of others. (If you’ll bear with me a second, what Bonhoeffer wrestles with is akin to Superman’s execution of General Zod in Man of Steel, or more relevant, Jesus’ willingness to carry the sins of the world on his back to the cross even though he was sinless.)
This is a film that I’m still reflecting on, weeks after watching. If you’re willing to open your heart to the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, it just might change your own sense of discipleship, and ask you to consider what God is calling you to be and to do.
