Truth & Treason

Wars have provided many stories that Hollywood has tapped into, such as "Schindler's List", "Sophie's Choice", "The Pianist", "Fury", "Inglorious Basterds", "1917", "All Quiet on the Western Front", and the like. Because there have been so many films of this subject matter, it's amazing that "Truth & Treason" is an film based on an incredible true story, and is a gripping story.

1941. As World War II rages, a teenage boy, Helmuth Hunener (Ewan Horrocks) in Germany is forced to confront a terrible truth--loyalty to his country now means loyalty to a lie. When his trusted bishop, Arthur Zander (Daniel Betts) urges obedience to the Nazi regime, he begins to question everything. And after his Jewish friend, Solomon Schwarz (Nye Occomore) is taken away, he secretly listens to banned radio broadcasts and launches a resistance including his friends, Karl-Heinz Schnibbe (Ferdinand McKay) and Rudi Wobbe (Daf Thomas), exposing the truth. But a nation ruled by fear, defiance comes at a cost--and as the regime closes in, headed up by Erwin Mussener (Rupert Evans), he must decide what it truly means to be a good German.

This is directed with intensity and soberness by Matt Whitaker ("Truth & Conviction" '02, "Small Fortunes: Microcredit and the Future of Poverty" (TV movie, documentary) '05) plus TV and a short. Even though this filmmaker doesn't have an abundant of experience behind the camera, what he has certainly has served him, The element of fear he was able to surface from his actors was realistic and haunting. He has written more work, however is he a natural? Maybe, but regardless he knows his craft. It was brilliantly written by Matt Whitaker ("Truth & Conviction" '02, "Saints and Soldiers" '03, "The Work and the Glory II: American Zion" '05, "Small Fortunes: Microcredit and the Future of Poverty" (TV movie, documentary) '05, "Stalking Santa" (additional writing) '06, "The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided" '06 , "Instrument of War" '17) plus TV, a short and a video, and Ethan Vincent ("The Romney Code: The Life and Ethics of George W. Romney" (TV movie) '08, "The Soul of Kalaupapa: Voices of Exile" '11) plus shorts. The sequencing, staging, pacing and continuity was truly spot on with the making of this film. Whitaker, the director had a passion about the premise of the film which helped him direct with more confidence and made ir easy to write, which made for an effective and sobering film. 

Certainly if you like war films, you'll revel with this. When seeing this film, I can't help but compare the incredible antisemitism back in the early 40s as compared to now. Antisemitism is on the rise and increasingly more rampant, and this is how this issue started back in the 40s. So, unless we want to have history repeat itself, we could see the 40s happen in this country in the near future. All must see this film lest this does end up happening.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                         Rated: PG-13                                            121mins.

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