Customer Reviews

Hanged on a Twisted Cross [VHS]

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4 star:		(2)
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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)

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.

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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Biblical Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis just days before the Allies defeated Germany in World War II. "Hanged On A Twisted Cross" is a informative and engaging documentary on the life, times, and thought of this man who was martyred for his beliefs. Drawing upon archival footage, historical documents, and visits to original locations, "Hanged Upon A Twisted Cross" provides an intimate and insightful portrait of a man whose life and writings grew (and continue to grow) in their theological influence within the Christian community, and still powerfully speak to contemporary issues a half century after Bonhoeffer's death. Viewers will benefit from Bonhoeffer's views on how men of peace come to employ violence when combating unrestrained evil. What is to be done when deep-seated patriotism and their religion-based ethics compels Christians to oppose their fatherland and its demonic leader. The DVD format is thoroughly "user friendly". With a total running time of two hours, "Hanged On A Twisted Cross" is strongly recommended viewing and a welcome contribution to personal, seminary, and academic Christian Studies collections.

The life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is clearly presented from child to theologian and pastor and eventually to Christian. Though a brilliant academic, his writings and sermons were not about abstract concepts, but the reality of how a Christian in an evil society should live. From the safety of living in the USA and England, he chose to return to Germany at a time of great danger for him, and there he boldly continued to struggle to persuade Christians and the German nation as a whole to follow Christ rather than nationalism or any political movement.

This DVD provides a clearer understanding of the situation in Germany in the early part of the 20th century, especially from the beginning of the 1930s, and shows how both the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches made alliances with Nazism instead of standing up for the truths of Christianity. They remained silent while Jews and other groups were persecuted and killed in their millions, and tried to pretend that they did not know what was going on.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke and wrote about the Christian's responsibility to God and to mankind, and this eventually led to his murder (no other term can be justified) on the orders of Hitler.

This film is recommended. Why only four stars? The archival footage is of uniformly poor quality, and while this is unavoidable for the first two decades of the 20th century, much better quality film is available for the 1930s and 40s, as can be seen in the documentary "Bonhoeffer: Pastor - Pacifist - Nazi Resister", which, though shorter, is a better documentary from many points of view. Also, the narrator's insistence on pronouncing Karl Barth's name BarTH (the correct pronunciation is "Bart") is annoying, especially as he is punctilious about pronouncing "Berlin" with a German accent. Likewise, the attempt at a British English accent when quoting from "The Times" is unfortunately not successful. These details mar an otherwise excellent film.

It was in Bonhoeffer's day and still is. This documentary chronicles his life history as a Lutheran pastor, mainly highlighting his ideological battle against Nazism and the German church, Catholic and protestant, which became more and more corrupt and apostate under Hitler, his minions, people of counterfeit faith, see II Timothy 3:8. In 1935, the Confessing Church was formed by famed theologian Karl Barth, Bonhoeffer and others to counter the rising anti-semitism in Germany and the apostasy of the established churches, catholic AND protestant. Clearly such activities would not go unnoticed by the Nazi's. Seeing this video directed me to other writings of his as excerpts from his sermons, lectures, and writings are a part of the narration done by Ed Asner. Bonhoeffer died as a martyr on April 9, two days before the concentration camps were liberated in 1945. I HIGHLY recommend that this movie be seen.

I'm sure Bonhoeffer must have pondered Ephesians 5:11 in choosing to work outside of mainstream christianity as it existed in Germany-Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them, and Revelation 18:4 says: Come out of her (Babylon/Rome see also Daniel 2) my people, lest you partake of her sins...for her sins have reached to heaven.

This is one of the most powerfully moving videos I have seen in a very long time. Dr. Bonhoeffer challenged the church of his day calling them to abandon the cheap grace of faith without obedience in The Cost of Discipleship. Many can rant against the cowardice that leads Christians to compromise with Ceaser - few can live that challenge to it's inevitable conclusion as Bonhoeffer did. He chose to speak out against Nazism when the majority of Christians in Germany confused their nationalist message with patriotism. He chose to speak for peace against the tide of Christians who glorified war. Finally, torn by a commitment to peace and doing nothing in the face of mass murder, he chose to seek Hitler's death. He paid with great honor and dignity with his life. His was a life devoted to Christ and his sufferings through obedience. His story is an inspiration that all Christians, Catholic and Protestant, need desperately to resist compromise for the sake of expediency.

Very highly recommended for Christians of all persuasions. A must see.

A Twentieth century Christian theologian once asked, "how then shall we live". Bonhoeffer's life answers the question.



In the face of moral and social decline and widespread religious hypocrisy he risked all. He denied himself, picked up his cross and followed Christ.



It was at times a lonely and hard path. This documentary follows his path bringing out the pathos, the agony and the joy. The directors cleverly use, photography, film footage and Bonhoeffer's and other's writings to bring to life the path this martyr walked.



May modern Christians learn from his life. May we also, in these immoral and lawless times deny ourselves daily, pick up our cross and follow Christ.

This is a film that everyone--especially Christians shouldsee. For years Bonhoeffer has been portrayed as a resistance fighter,anti Nazi activist, an SDS member before its time--everything exceptwhat he truly was a Christian who believed that Jesus Christ isLord. He has been shamlessly appropriated by liberals (particularly inthe wretched Cambridge Companion to Dietrich Bonhoeffer) and activistswho "work" for rightiousness in various causes. What thisfilm (undoubtedly beause it was written by his greatfriend EberhardtBethke) shows us is that it was Christ as the crucified and risenLord--and Bonhoeffer's obedience to that Kerygma that informedeverything he did. For those who fancy Bonhoeffer as the liberationtheologian I suggest they read his letter from prison to Bethge andhis wife--it is traditionally Pauline--"Wives be submissive toyour husband". Bonhoeffer would have disdained the presentculture of "rights" (or of death) as John Paul calls it.This film while faithfully portraying Bonhoeffer's wittness unto deathalso gives us a glimpse of how CONSERVATIVE both he and his theologywere. He would be horrified by the regime of abortion on demand (seehis Ethics) that has us in its power--this film by presenting him as aCHRISTIAN suggests how he might confront present dayidolatries. Listen hard to theological meditations which happily runthroughout this wonderful film--if they sound alien to you andperplexing that is because the Christian is always a scandal to theworld whether it is the world of Hitler or of MTV.