***1/2

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2014)

A breath of humanity and human decency in the midst of mayhem in the 1930s Germany is realized in this excellent film.
It is a tale of reawakening to what is good during times of evil.
I would like to have seen Geoffrey Rush's character developed more as the anti-Nazi. He gives a terrific subdued performance as the adoptive father and Emily Watson, as his wife, shines as the strict adoptive mother who is yet caring and loving.
While the history in a bit rushed- book burnings, we're at war with England, Hitler is about to enter Moscow by Nazi newspaper accounts and the ultimate bombing of German cities, this helps the story along, which attempts to show that compassion did exist during such a ruthless time in our history.