45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A powerful and captivating "sermon", September 23, 2005
The secondary definition of the word "sermon" according to Merriam-Webster is "a speech on conduct or duty."
This 120 min. 29 little chapters documentary has the feel of a "sermon" and history lesson all wrapped in one.
The movie starts with the following prologue/opening credits: "dedicated to Him Who made this film possible." Not only this but also the sound of a classic church hymnal as background music sets the tone for a Christian religious movie. The narration that follows, is by no means boring or soporific, as the music and voice and images presented are very engaging and intellectually stimulating.
This documentary focuses solely on "The Life, Convictions and Martyrdom of" a man by the name Dietrich Bonhoeffer at the orders of no other than Adolf Hitler and his henchmen. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a pastor, theologian, university professor, anti-Nazi conspirator, and martyr who detected early on the evils of a new monster rising amidst his germanic countrymen (Adolf Hitler as Fuehrer, racism as means of national liberation, the deification of state authority, the corruption of the state churches) and amidst Christendom before the break of WWII in September 1939. His theology and actions also saved the lives of some Jews he personally helped escape to Switzerland.
The presentation is rich in quotes from his writings, church sermons, and letters he wrote. One gets the feeling of familiarity with his books ("Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community," "Cost of Discipleship / Nachfolge," "Letters and Papers from Prison") after viewing this film. Also quite a bit of time is spent explaining the geopolitical and social situation of Germany between the end of WWI and capitulation of German army in 1945 and during Dietrich's time abroad in Barcelona/Spain, American, and England.
This Christian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, had a living theology and a theology that was alive. And his life and writings are as relevant to our post-modern lives as they were to the turbulent 30s and murderous 40s.
As a companion (especially for the un-churched or non-Christians) I would also recommend the 2003 First Run Features production of "Bonhoeffer - Pastor, Pacifist, Nazi Resister" also found on Amazon DVD.
Because His "grace" is "costly!" (to use Bonhoeffer's terminology)
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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive biography of a real martyr and hero., August 3, 1999
This review is from: Hanged on a Twisted Cross [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This documentary informs the viewer in accurate detail of the career of one of this century's real heroes. Bonhoeffer was a Christian scholar and writer who actively opposed Hitler. Although a Pastor and director of an undrground seminary, he became a part of the German resistance to the evil Nazi regime. He unsuccessfully tried to keep the German chuch from being turned into a Nazi forum. He actively supported Jews and assisted in smuggling them out of Germany. He was eventually arrested by the Gestapo. His Letters From Prison are among the best literature this century. He was a true Christian who willingly died for his faith. He also serves as an example of the many Germans who resisted Hitler.
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Passable Documentary of a Remarkable Thinker & Martyr, May 3, 2002
This review is from: Hanged on a Twisted Cross [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who dared to cling to the teachings of Jesus in the context of the Third Reich. He preached and taught in the portion of the Church that went underground rather than bend their knee to Adolph Hitler. Eventually, his sense of ethics drove him to working with a cell of the German resistance, seeking to overthrow Hitler and arrange a peace settlement with the Allies. He also helped a number of Jews get safely into Switzerland, in spite of a Swiss policy against such emmigrations.
Ed Asner's narration is great. Bonhoeffer's story is compellingly told. The issues that challenged him are presented clearly, as are some of his struggles with how to behave ethically and in a Christ-like manner within Hitler's Reich.
Although the movie focuses on Bonhoeffer, it also drives the point home of how readily the established churches compromised and sacrificed the clear teachings of Jesus in order to fit in to the Reich. Seeking the approbation of man (even if of such a horrifying group of men as the Gestapo), most churches abandoned the Gospel in favor of appeasement. While not as pathetic a betrayal of Jesus as, say, the Spanish Inquisition, this certainly was a dark hour for Christianity.
This is a 60 to 90 minute documentary, expanded to a full two hours by padding with hymn fragments and either Nazi footage or modern cinematography of places key to Bonhoeffer's life. ...
Boenhoeffer's theology clearly saw Jesus incarnate in His Church and in the human community. Although many Fundamentalist Christians claim him as their own, he was not. He preached and lived a Spirituality that ventured beyond personal piety and salvation and insisted on a truly Christian Praxis to more fully incarnate Christ in the world of the Church.
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