Very Compelling

Rating: 7/10 (1 September 2009)

This movie really captures what it was like to take a stand against the Nazis in WW2. All of the emotions are there - hate, anger, disbelief that friends and neighbors turn on you. Revenge, brother against brother, hope, love, the will to be free. Sacrifice, hardship, death.
Some tear this movie down because of the accents or lack thereof. It doesn't matter because this is not a history film, it is an inspirational film based on truth. Are there clichés in this film? Yes. Is it the best movie ever that shows the hardships of the Jews in WW2? No. But it is different in that it shows how a small group of determined, often afraid, average people made a stand and in the end, a difference. The movie shows the enormous burden of one man who has to be the leader of these strangers.
********Possible Spoiler****************** It also shows that even the best intended people (Daniel Craig) will take revenge and when pushed enough, will fight for his beliefs. And that these ordinary people, when given a chance, will sometimes revert to savagery. I think this is a well balanced voice of a very important time in our history. Recommended.