Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.
★ ★ ★
‘Bonhoeffer’ chronicles the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Jonas Dassler), a theologian who believed the German church was too wrapped up in religion and not enough in the reason for that religion. His plan, straight out of seminary, is to try to bring the church back to its roots.
His studies and travels bring him to America where he befriends Frank Fisher (David Jonsson), who introduces him to his church, Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. There he meets, and becomes influenced by Reverend Powell Sr. (Clarke Peters). Bonhoeffer and Fisher develop a deep friendship.
Jonas Dassler as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and David Jonsson as Frank Fisher
© 2024 Angel Studios
Bonhoeffer is a classically trained pianist; Fisher takes him to a New York club where they play a music style he’s never heard before: jazz. Bonhoeffer is invited on stage to play piano. He starts playing what he knows. The band joins in and improvises. Bonhoeffer switches his playing to match them and becomes a regular pianist at the club.
During this time, his church in Germany is facing a threat: Adolf Hitler (Marc Bessant). The Third Reich is rising to power and gradually changing what’s being taught from the pulpit in his church. Bonhoeffer vows to be a voice against this, and his first sermon back home in Germany angers several parishioners and German soldiers.
As Bonhoeffer watches the Nazi regime replace the Bible with Mein Kampf and attempt to expel foreign Christian religions. Bonhoeffer sees it as more than just a grave danger to his church, but to humanity itself.
Bonhoeffer is strong in his faith and believes he has a deep connection with Jesus. He believes a man must act on his convictions and be prepared to answer to God in the afterlife. Thus, he feels completely justified in hatching a plan to assassinate Hitler.
Jonas Dassler as Dietrich Bonhoeffer
© 2024 Angel Studios
It’s a compelling film about a man trying to make a positive impact on his church and stop a madman from continuing to commit unspeakable acts of evil upon the world.
We get a very strong sense of Bonhoeffer’s humanity, and it’s easy to sympathize with his faith. Dassler does a wonderful job of bringing Bonheffer’s character to life.
Overall, this is a good film and a worthy biopic even if it feels slightly unfinished at times.There are moments when the film begins to explore Bonhoeffer’s emotions and motivations in depth, but it pulls back, opting instead for a more superficial perspective.
Otherwise, it’s a very thoughtful and well made film. But if it was aiming to be thought-provoking, it’s slightly off target. Still, it’s worth seeing – especially if you aren’t familiar with Bonhoeffer and his efforts to save humanity.
Rated: Rated PG-13 for violent content, thematic elements and some smoking.
Running Time: 2h 15m
Directed by:Todd Komarnicki
Written by: Todd Komarnicki
Starring: Jonas Dassler, David Jonsson, Moritz Bleibtreu, August Diehl, Flula Borg
Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Biography, History
