Todd Komarnicki’s ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin’ brings the extraordinary life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a theologian who took a dangerous stand against Adolf Hitler—to the big screen. While the film wrestles with moments of uneven pacing and biographical tropes, it ultimately succeeds as a compelling character study and a timely moral parable. Set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany, Bonhoeffer is a meditation on faith, resistance, and the cost of defying tyranny.
Jonas Dassler delivers a compelling and layered performance as Bonhoeffer, capturing the journey from earnest young pastor to determined conspirator. Dassler portrays Bonhoeffer’s internal struggles with subtlety, never reducing him to a one-dimensional martyr. His transformation unfolds gradually, marked by critical moments of moral reckoning. Scenes depicting Bonhoeffer’s early idealism—such as his time studying at Union Theological Seminary in New York and engaging with African American spiritual traditions—are crucial, albeit slightly romanticized. These sequences underscore his awakening to the universal nature of oppression and the moral imperative to act against it.
Komarnicki’s direction is occasionally heavy-handed, particularly in moments of overt symbolism. For example, the depiction of a Nazified Bible, portraying Jesus as an Aryan figure, serves as a stark reminder of how faith can be weaponized. While this scene might seem exaggerated, it reflects a chilling historical reality and resonates deeply in today’s climate of rising authoritarianism. The film’s script occasionally lapses into didactic dialogue, but it also offers moments of profound introspection. Lines such as “Will God forgive us if we do this?”—spoken as Bonhoeffer contemplates the plot to assassinate Hitler—cut to the heart of his ethical dilemma. This is not a story of clear-cut heroism but of a man grappling with the tension between his pacifist convictions and the brutal reality of Nazi atrocities.
Structurally, the film employs a time-tripping narrative that alternates between Bonhoeffer’s imprisonment and flashbacks to pivotal moments in his life. This approach creates a sense of inevitability as the audience witnesses the choices that led him to his final, fateful stand. The prison scenes are compelling, depicting Bonhoeffer not as a larger-than-life figure but as a man confronting his mortality. His quiet moments of reflection, scribbling in his Bible, and wrestling with doubt are some of the film’s most affecting.
Visually, ‘Bonhoeffer ‘is impressively striking. Komarnicki contrasts the oppressive bleakness of Nazi Germany with the vibrant memories of Bonhoeffer’s past, particularly his time in Harlem. The cinematography reinforces the film’s themes, highlighting the fragility of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. The concentration camp scenes are unflinching yet respectful, never descending into gratuitous violence. Instead, they serve as a sobering reminder of the human cost of complicity and silence.
What sets ‘Bonhoeffer’ apart from other historical dramas is its unsettling relevance. Released at a time when the world grapples with the resurgence of authoritarian ideologies, the film feels less like a period piece and more like a cautionary tale. The parallels between Nazi propaganda and contemporary political rhetoric are impossible to ignore. Komarnicki challenges the audience to reflect on their moral responsibilities, asking who, in the future, might be issuing apologies for their inaction.
Despite its occasional flaws—some clichéd dialogue, a few heavy-handed scenes—’Bonhoeffer’ successfully captures the essence of its protagonist’s legacy. It is a celebration of Bonhoeffer’s courage and a call to conscience for the present day. The film forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about faith, complicity, and the actual cost of resistance. As Bonhoeffer himself asks, “Will God forgive us if we don’t act?” In a world that still grapples with the forces of hatred and oppression, this question remains as urgent as ever, even for those who lean toward personal spirituality.