Product Description

BONHOEFFER tells the dramatic story of one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, his life and his resistance to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. While the German Church establishment embraced National Socialism, Bonhoeffer challenged his church to stand with the Jews in their time of need. Learning of the death camps, Bonhoeffer's religious convictions led him to the seemingly paradoxical conclusion that the only ethical solution was to conspire to assassinate Hitler.

Extensive research in archives in both Europe and the U.S. yielded extraordinary archival footage - including a speech by Hitler praying for God's blessing on him and the German people- and compelling images of the Catholic and Protestant churches open support of his regime. Bonhoeffer's life and thought are traced through family photographs from his childhood and early education in Germany to his travels to New York, where he met with black church leaders in Harlem and was exposed to the realities of racism and intolerance. It was in America that Bonhoeffer became convinced of the importance of social and political engagement on a personal level and for the Church community as a whole. Alongside this thorough visual documentation is extensive commentary by a number of Christian intellectuals including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, John de Gruchy and Geffrey Kelly on Bonhoeffer's contribution to theology and philosophy. BONHOEFFER creates a well rounded picture of a man whose influence continues to be felt not only by his writings, but also by his the example of his life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13851 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-04-20
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English, German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

From The New Yorker
A documentary, directed by Martin Doblmeier, about the life, times, and eventual fate of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran minister who was imprisoned by the Nazis and hanged in 1945. Interest in Bonhoeffer shows no sign of abating, not least because his practicality and rootedness-and the struggle, which intensified in his last months, to reforge the role of faith in the world-demand that we engage with his example rather than simply revere it. The film is straightforward, and no less affecting for that; we are led through the chronology of Bonhoeffer's life, including his two trips to America, and even shown the code by which family members smuggled messages into his cell. As far as talking heads go, there are perhaps too many commentators; happily, however, they are outclassed by Bonhoeffer's contemporaries, including his close friend Eberhard Bethge. The voiceover, for the readings from Bonhoeffer's books and letters, is by Klaus Maria Brandauer. -Anthony Lane
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Review
A touching narrative on the nature of faith. Powerful, disturbing, and shocking. --New York Times

Review
A valuable and complex portrait of a rare individual, who saw the light in a time of spiritual darkness, and had the courage to follow it. --Village Voice

Customer Reviews

Compeling story of a theologian and anti-Hitler acrivist
This is a compeling documentary about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a prominent Christian theologian. Bonhoeffer, who lived in Germany during the time of Nazi rule, ultimately gave his life in an effort to stop Hitler's tyranical rule and opression of the Jewish race.

The documentary explores the concept of Christian ethics, and shows how Bonhoeffer was able to reconcile seemingly contradictory beliefs of the sanctity of life and justice - to the point that he was willing to participate in the resistance's attempts to assasinate Hitler.

The documentary uses phenomenal footage of Hitler's reign, interviews with Bonhoeffer's friends, family, and students, and analysis from historians to vividly tell this story. The story has direct relevance to the world we live in today.

If you are interested in an uplifitng account of how God can use one ordinary man to make a difference, then this movie is for you. Or, if you simply want to watch an amazingly well told documentary about an important era in German history (without feeling preached at), then this film also is for you. It certainly makes you think about our current world politics from a fresh point of view.

A+ for content
A+ for presentation

I would drive 700 miles
This documentary is quite simply a must see. My buddy and I contemplated driving from Sacramento to Seattle to see it before we heard about it on DVD. Simply put, it would have been worth the trip. The film is mostly primary sources, those close to Dietrich, several of whom passed away shortly after its filming. Bonhoeffer is one of the most compelling theologians of the twentieth century and this is the best window into his life available. Costly grace, ethical constructs of good vs good and the world come of age are all paradigm shifting ideas - but the locus of their authority rests in the details of his life and risks taken in the name of bold action in service of God. Highly recommended.

A remarkable film about one man's conscience and courage.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born in Breslau, Germany, in 1906, to wealthy, privileged, and well-connected parents. He received his doctorate in theology in 1927. At a time when Germany was reeling from her humiliation at the hands of the Allies after World War I, the proponents of National Socialism began to capture the loyalty of Germans who were desperate to recover their economic, cultural, political, and military glory. Bonhoffer searched his soul, his conscience, and his Bible, in an effort to decide where his responsibilities lie. His decision to risk his freedom and his life by actively resisting the Nazis will forever set him apart as a man of valor.

"Bonhoeffer" is a superb documentary. It is informative, well-researched, and intensely moving. Rare archival footage includes a scene in which Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli (the future Pope Pius XII), and Germany's vice chancellor, Franz von Papen, formally sign a concordat between the Holy See and the German Reich on July 20, 1933. The surrender of the Roman Catholic Church to Hitler's might at the expense of the helpless victims of Nazi terror makes Bonhoeffer's sacrifices all the more remarkable. There is also hard-hitting footage of Hitler and Goebbels spouting their venom before thousands of cheering and ebullient German citizens.

This ninety-minute documentary, in both black and white and color, includes comments by survivors, historians, and theologians who knew Bonhoeffer; their words lend gravity and verisimilitude to the film. These individuals describe Bonhoeffer as an inspiring teacher, a thoughtful writer of theological treatises, and finally, an active resister who took part in a failed conspiracy to assassinate Hitler. Bonhoeffer had an opportunity to stay in America, where, from a safe haven, he could have attempted to inspire resistance to the Nazi regime. However, Bonhoeffer could not bring himself to abandon his homeland at a time when she was under siege by an evil dictator.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer believed that religion is not an abstraction, but a way of life. It was his opinion that a man of God must care for all of his fellow human beings, and reach out to support them when they are in need. His example will forever inspire men and women of conscience as they continue to fight for the freedoms that we often take for granted. This film would be an excellent selection for high school and college students as part of a curriculum on the Holocaust, theology, and human rights.