This (the comment that "It’s based on Mataxas’s book by the same name.") is misleading. It's a "source", but not a "guide" for the Directors, Screenwriters, or producers. Many of those players were decidedly MUCH MORE conversant with MANY OTHER sources, including Bethge and other Bonhoeffer scholars. Many of the people close to Bonhoeffer scholarship also have frustrations with the story told in the film (as I do from hearing their particular complaints), but it is categorically wrong to say that it is "based" on Metaxas. They "borrowed" from the Metaxas title, and repeated some of Metaxas' "flattening/simplificatons", but most of them were based in the problems a lot of attempted biopics: The portrayal of someone of heroism, and the time constraints of what can or should be included to best tell that story in the format. My two cents, and I do intend to see it, although I'm not particularly in a hurry to do so, due to my expectations about the perceived failures of "capturing" the essentials of Bonhoeffer.
Yes. I was surprised Jim didn't inject that into his review. My wife and I saw the movie, and we came away with many of the conclusions that Jim did. However, the question of Metaxas hung in the air, dulling my excitement for this film.
Sad. That misrepresents Bonhoeffer’s wish in letters and papers from prison for a “religionless Jesus” and pegs him as a literalist, fundamentalist, which he decidedly was not. His stint with Canaris’ Abwehr was a last minute rescue of him by in-laws, from Gestapo imprisoment. Spy? Balderdash!
I’ve read a number of reviews that talk about this movie being a vehicle for Christian nationalism, and that it is not historically accurate to Bonhoeffer’s life, either. Not planning on seeing it.
Actually, the film isn't based on Metaxas book, at all. That is a common and unfortunate misunderstanding. Jim didn't include a connection between Metaxas and this film in this review because he knows there is no connection. I made sure that he was aware of that. The screenwriter/director Todd Komarnicki wrote the movie after doing his own research (my book was part of his research). Incidentally, Some of the dialogue in the film is explicitly anti-Trump as it was being written during Trump's first term, when Metaxas was dialing up his pro-Trump sentiments and Todd is no fan of Trump or Metaxas. Just FYI.
I saw the movie and came away with the same reaction as Jim. Go see it! If there is anything in that film promoting Christian nationalism, I certainly did not see it. In fact, the opposite message was central. The film clearly warns us of the dangers of the Church's uncritical support for a political movement. My biggest criticism is at the end when they drew the audience's attention to the rise of antisemitism and then asked us to sign a pledge supporting Israel. Do they not see that Israel is doing to Palestinians what the Nazis did to them? I'm against anti-Semitism but don't ask me to support the nation of Israel. I don't think Bonhoeffer would either.
The comments below are not at all accurate when they report that the movie had anything to do with Metaxas. Todd Komarnicki is the writer and director of the film and he based the film on Bonhoeffer's 34 books. Metaxas speaks as one who is connected when he absolutely is not. Komarnicki is the complete opposite of a Christian Nationalist and the movie is proof of that. I wish people would do research before commenting. Check out these links and hear conversations with Komarnicki and interviewers who have done their homework. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDh9c-J3EWk
The comments below are not at all accurate when they report that the movie had anything to do with Metaxas. Todd Komarnicki is the writer and director of the film and he based the film on Bonhoeffer's 34 books. Metaxas speaks as one who is connected when he absolutely is not. Komarnicki is the complete opposite of a Christian Nationalist and the movie is proof of that. I wish people would do research before commenting. Check out these links and hear conversations with Komarnicki and interviewers who have done their homework. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDh9c-J3EWk
I hope the script was not based on anything by Eric Metaxas. No further comment.
It’s based on Mataxas’s book by the same name.
This (the comment that "It’s based on Mataxas’s book by the same name.") is misleading. It's a "source", but not a "guide" for the Directors, Screenwriters, or producers. Many of those players were decidedly MUCH MORE conversant with MANY OTHER sources, including Bethge and other Bonhoeffer scholars. Many of the people close to Bonhoeffer scholarship also have frustrations with the story told in the film (as I do from hearing their particular complaints), but it is categorically wrong to say that it is "based" on Metaxas. They "borrowed" from the Metaxas title, and repeated some of Metaxas' "flattening/simplificatons", but most of them were based in the problems a lot of attempted biopics: The portrayal of someone of heroism, and the time constraints of what can or should be included to best tell that story in the format. My two cents, and I do intend to see it, although I'm not particularly in a hurry to do so, due to my expectations about the perceived failures of "capturing" the essentials of Bonhoeffer.
Yes. I was surprised Jim didn't inject that into his review. My wife and I saw the movie, and we came away with many of the conclusions that Jim did. However, the question of Metaxas hung in the air, dulling my excitement for this film.
Sad. That misrepresents Bonhoeffer’s wish in letters and papers from prison for a “religionless Jesus” and pegs him as a literalist, fundamentalist, which he decidedly was not. His stint with Canaris’ Abwehr was a last minute rescue of him by in-laws, from Gestapo imprisoment. Spy? Balderdash!
I’ve read a number of reviews that talk about this movie being a vehicle for Christian nationalism, and that it is not historically accurate to Bonhoeffer’s life, either. Not planning on seeing it.
Actually, the film isn't based on Metaxas book, at all. That is a common and unfortunate misunderstanding. Jim didn't include a connection between Metaxas and this film in this review because he knows there is no connection. I made sure that he was aware of that. The screenwriter/director Todd Komarnicki wrote the movie after doing his own research (my book was part of his research). Incidentally, Some of the dialogue in the film is explicitly anti-Trump as it was being written during Trump's first term, when Metaxas was dialing up his pro-Trump sentiments and Todd is no fan of Trump or Metaxas. Just FYI.
Thank you, Dr. Williams!!!
https://www.christiancentury.org/features/new-bonhoeffer-movie-isn-t-just-bad-it-s-dangerous
I saw the movie and came away with the same reaction as Jim. Go see it! If there is anything in that film promoting Christian nationalism, I certainly did not see it. In fact, the opposite message was central. The film clearly warns us of the dangers of the Church's uncritical support for a political movement. My biggest criticism is at the end when they drew the audience's attention to the rise of antisemitism and then asked us to sign a pledge supporting Israel. Do they not see that Israel is doing to Palestinians what the Nazis did to them? I'm against anti-Semitism but don't ask me to support the nation of Israel. I don't think Bonhoeffer would either.
The main criticism that I have read about the movie, which I have not seen, is that it appears to make Bonhoeffer into some sort of action hero, which is far from what he really was. https://www.christiancentury.org/features/new-bonhoeffer-movie-isn-t-just-bad-it-s-dangerous
There is an excellent series on YouTube also https://www.bonhoefferpodcast.com/
The comments below are not at all accurate when they report that the movie had anything to do with Metaxas. Todd Komarnicki is the writer and director of the film and he based the film on Bonhoeffer's 34 books. Metaxas speaks as one who is connected when he absolutely is not. Komarnicki is the complete opposite of a Christian Nationalist and the movie is proof of that. I wish people would do research before commenting. Check out these links and hear conversations with Komarnicki and interviewers who have done their homework. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDh9c-J3EWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFo6e-YvW3c
Thank you to Jim Wallis who is fighting the good fight with truth and love along with Komarnicki. Go see this extraordinary film.
Thank you, Robyn!!!
Has anyone seen this movie
The comments below are not at all accurate when they report that the movie had anything to do with Metaxas. Todd Komarnicki is the writer and director of the film and he based the film on Bonhoeffer's 34 books. Metaxas speaks as one who is connected when he absolutely is not. Komarnicki is the complete opposite of a Christian Nationalist and the movie is proof of that. I wish people would do research before commenting. Check out these links and hear conversations with Komarnicki and interviewers who have done their homework. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDh9c-J3EWk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFo6e-YvW3c
Thank you to Jim Wallis who is fighting the good fight with truth and love along with Komarnicki. Go see this extraordinary film.
The Christian Century newsletter spotlighted several articles on the movie this week. This one was the best, in my opinion.
Find it at:https://www.christiancentury.org/features/there-s-no-such-thing-bonhoeffer-moment
Much to ponder at this momentous time.
What abt this connection to 2025 producers?!