Sophie Scholl: The Final Days[powerful example of faith and courage in the face of great evil]

WORLD ^ | 3/25/06 | Andrew Coffin

[Caleb1411]

As is often the case, most of the Academy Award nominees for Best Foreign Language Film were largely unknown to American audiences at the time of the ceremony. What's especially sad about this is that the most inspiring, gripping, and surprising film nominated that evening—among both the winners and losers—was one of these little-seen gems.

Germany's entry, Sophie Scholl: The Final Days, deserves a place next to A Man for All Seasons, Chariots of Fire, and others of the most profound portrayals of faith on film. Although currently only playing in select cities (with a wider release expected), this import is the definition of a film worth seeking out, even though it lost the Oscar to the South African film Tsotsi.

Well-known in Germany, Sophie Scholl is a figure of remarkable courage, intellect, and faith. The film deals with just six days of this young woman's life—the final six days. Key members of a passive resistance anti-Nazi group known as The White Rose, Sophie (Julia Jentsch) and her brother Hans (Fabian Hinrichs) risk their lives by writing, printing, and distributing pamphlets that condemn National Socialism and a bloody war that Germany could not win.

On the morning of Feb. 18, 1943, Sophie and Hans walk into a lecture hall at the University of Munich to secretly distribute the group's sixth pamphlet before the building was flooded with students. This dangerous mission does not end well.

The film concerns itself with the short but intense period between Sophie's capture and execution. After she is jailed, Sophie faces off against Gestapo interrogator Robert Mohr (the steely Gerald Alexander Held), a Nazi true believer and atheist committed to breaking Sophie's spirit in order both to convict her and to search out her collaborators. While one might initially be frustrated at the lack of context for Sophie and her strongly held beliefs, the force of these interrogation scenes erases all misgivings.

Director Marc Rothemund and screenwriter Fred Breinersdorfer base their story extensively on transcripts of Sophie's interrogation and trial previously unpublished and unavailable (they were sealed away in East Germany before 1990). Never coming across as a Nazi-villain caricature, Mohr demonstrates supreme intellect and commitment to his cause—but is shocked to find himself matched by Sophie, who has intellect and willpower to spare.

Mr. Rothemund, at the helm of a technically excellent production, shows immense skill at weaving in details that inform Sophie's character but never overwhelm the production with heavy-handed exposition. We learn of her faith in quiet moments of prayer, and of the influence of her parents (remarkably, it's positive) in informing her political views. Sophie possesses a deep-seated strength of character, and her humble confidence is so unnerving to Mohr that one wonders whether the first to break will be her or him.

Sophie Scholl falls shortly on the heels of another German film that deals directly—and powerfully—with Nazism, although each approaches this appalling period of that country's history from radically different directions. Downfall (rated R) centers on the final days of a much different life—Adolf Hitler's (remarkably acted by Bruno Ganz). The bunker-bound finale to Hitler's sad existence is seen largely through the eyes of his naïve young secretary, Traudi Junge. As a secretary, Traudi was far from front lines and concentration camps during the war and served her Fuhrer with a blind, idealistic devotion.

Though Traudi, who survived the war, is fictionalized for the film, the story is bookended by interview clips from the real woman. Downfall ends with this devastating, but remarkably honest, admission by the aged Traudi: "I realized that she [Sophie Scholl] was the same age as me, and I realized that she was executed the same year I started working for Hitler. At that moment, I really sensed it was no excuse to be young and that it might have been possible to find out what was going on."

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days makes Sophie's moving story accessible to the rest of the world. Though the film is unrated, it contains nothing objectionable; only the intensity of the subject matter ought to give parents pause in allowing children to see it. It's a story that serves as a powerful example of faith and courage in the face of great evil. Go see it.

[T'wit]

What have the MSM critics said about "Sophie Scholl, the Final Days"?

[T'wit]

Christianity Today review

The reviewer makes the interesting point that the film does not exaggerate the evil character of Mohr, the Gestapo interrogator, in order to make Sophie look holier by comparison. On the contrary, Mohr is portrayed as a man of conviction himself, with a good mind, who spars with Sophie at the level of ideas and comes to respect her moral clarity and strength. At the end, Mohr's face looks stricken as he realizes that the Scholls and Probst -- the kind of young people who are the hope for Germany's future -- are doomed to immediate execution.

I gather that Mohr's notes on the interviews, preserved in East Germany, are a primary source for histories of the White Rose and for the movie. (There are two earlier films about the White Rose.)

[T'wit]

In history, as in the movie, the Nazi brass admired the courage with which the three students, especially Sophie, faced their accusers and their fate. Sophie's last words, before she was led from her cell, began, "It is such a splendid sunny day, and I have to go...."

Ultimately, seven members of The White Rose were executed and others were harshly punished.

[eleni121]

Dolly---and Caleb!!

Thanks so much for pinging me on this film! Because of you I will see it tomorrow.

[eleni121]

For history buffs and all others who need to see film making at its best I am letting people know in the Western NY area that this moving and memorable film is playing at the following theater for a week:

Dipson Eastern Hills Cinema 3
4545 Transit Road,
Williamsville, NY - 14221
716-632-1081

Movie Showtimes
(Bargain prices shown in parenthesis) Details
Sophie Scholl - The Final Days
(NOT RATED)
1 hour 57 minutes Today - Apr 20: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
Fri - Apr 21: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
Sat - Apr 22: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
Sun - Apr 23: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
Mon - Apr 24: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
Tue - Apr 25: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
Wed - Apr 26: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
Thu - Apr 27: (1:30, 4:00), 7:00, 9:30
n/a

[eleni121]

Dolly--- do it! There are truly wonderful films that are being made but need more exposure.

Your weekly thread would focus on the excellent films out there. People in genreal - but more importantly the insightful Freepers could share their awareness and information so that some are not so quick to dismiss sll movies.

We cannot let the scummy liberals hold a monopoly on filmmaking and film criticism.

[The Mayor]

Thank you.

[eleni121]

HI Mayor---How are things cooking on the homefront? It seems that WNY (and generally NY) is getting kookier and kookier.

Is NYS headed for a total meltdown?

[The Mayor]

I think so, I really do. This newest budget of 115 billion, Pataxi vetoes, Bruno and Silver have the votes to over ride but Pataki has Constitutional standing and it will most likely end up in court..

Top news articled has NY losing more population than any other state...

It's nuts..

[DollyCali]

OKAY! will do... interested in being CO-hostess?

I am really covered up next few days.. maybe NEXT weekend.. the 28/29th?

[eleni121]

I'd love to Dolly. Let's talk later this week. Can you freepmail me if you don't mind and we can set something up?

[DollyCali]

yes, I am pretty covered until next Thursday actually (and then busy but just a little more breathing room)

I was thinking of a once a week post.. Maybe Monday (review of new stuff) or Thursday(upcoming).. can also include oldies, star talk etc. People could continue on the thread all week ... come & go..

have a nice weekend !