Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5 stars)
Todd Komarnicki brings us Dietrich Bonhoeffer's story of a pastor who is pushed to the breaking point when his country and church come under fire from the Third Reich during World War II. A true-to-life tale that drips with emotion and righteous fury from beginning to end. Bonhoeffer accounts for a man who would not back down from the fight in his short life. A man who gave everything humanly possible to see his beloved church turn from the sins of the Nazi party.
As the adage says, “When one door shuts, another door opens.” Bonhoeffer faces the church's closed doors and chooses to go through an open door that many would fear entering. His story unfolds through a series of rousing speeches, delicate secrecy, and hard truths. As the Nazi Party’s influence spreads, so does hate towards the people of Europe. The German church, a bulwark of truth, is tested when politics becomes the message preached to the German people. Dietrich Bonhoeffer boldly takes a stand on Christian values and teachings. As the audience learns more about the man, the narrative of his life tells a message of faith, courage, and love.
Komarnicki's vision of Bonhoeffer's life takes the opportunity to show the correlation between racism in America in the 20s and 30s and the antisemitism of the Third Reich. As the young pastor travels to America, he is taken aback by the way white Americans treat his black American friend. As he makes his way back to his homeland, Dietrich is shocked by the news of the up-and-coming politician Adolf Hitler. Further abject confusion comes from how the German church leaders respond to the new leader's policies and how they change when pushed.
This compelling biographical sketch was a captivating story that motivated one to stand for truth and take action. Jonas Dassler’s (A Sacrifice) acting was convincing and complemented by the German countryside's artistic depiction. The cathedrals provided a beautiful backdrop for many scenes as the story was swept up in the rapturous jazz accompanying the era. Yet, as the story progressed, lethargic moments might make viewers notice the lengthy run time. A necessary aspect of the film as Komarnicki did his best to weave together the multiple storylines that overlapped all that was going on in the pastor's life that went from childhood to his late thirties. However, the highlights of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's tale rise to new heights when he ascends to the pulpit. A message to the German people that rings through time to us all loud and clear, fiery words with razor-sharp truth and spirited passion that transcends time.
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Reel Dialogue: What are you willing to do so that the truth is told?
Bonhoeffer challenges the audience with this question. As seen in Deitrich Bonhoeffer's faith that propels him through the war to end all wars, fighting, spying, and preaching. For Bonhoeffer, nothing was too great, not even an attempt at assassinating Hitler himself.
1 Timothy 3:15 ESV “If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”
The Bible teaches that the church is a wall of defence for the truth. There is a reason Hitler needed to take over the church. The dictator needed to silence the truth. Yet, the church withstood his attacks and continues to offer us all the truth that can transform lives. Have you considered this truth for yourself?
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