The Angel of Auschwitz

The best films are tailored to play upon your emotions. Tragedies such as Macbeth evoke sympathy for the tragic hero, and a cathartic element upon its dénouement. Films of conflict immerse you into the horrors of war and the emotions of desperation and helplessness. Amongst this number of emotion-wrenching films is the Angel of Auschwitz, but I regret to inform you for all the wrong reasons.

Firstly, you are subjected to its soundtrack, perhaps unnerving at times (and deliberately so, because of the film topic.) However, what irradiates from the music is how it is so abysmally composed. The "music," often merely composing of two notes in a loop, serves as a nuisance rather than a contribution to the emotional value of the film, bringing all the grace and purpose of a wasp at a picnic. Instantly, you're annoyed and uncomfortable. The music does little to draw you into the claustrophobic, suffocating environment, rather detaches you from it, rendering you a slave to the timer on the DVD box. You will watch it often, if you decide to go the distance.

The actors' depictions of historical characters are often verging on offensive. Whilst the protagonist admittedly has a slither of character depth about her, the other actors look like they have won a "be an actor for the day" competition in a magazine. Josef Mengele embodies this: "The Angel of Death," one of the most sadistic figures of the Holocaust, is transformed into a character designed for comedic value. His German accent is so insulting it appears deliberately poor, and his dialogue will leave the viewer chortling - "Curiosity killed ze cat, that is why I'm not verking with felines" stands out as a particular highlight. The viewer is left questioning their moral fabric - why did I just laugh at a film about the Holocaust? The existential questions about your existence that this film makes you ask - am I a sociopath? Do I deserve to go to prison for laughing at mass-genocide? Are not appreciated, and are by-products of the amateurish production quality.

Speaking of which, the attempts to mask the modest production value of this film are mediocre. You'll realise that that time you left the garden gate open before you left to go shopping was a major oversight, when you recognise they're using your shed as Auschwitz concentration camp. Did you not notice merry Mengele and his crew in the bushes before you left? They could all probably fit in that bush comfortably mind you, seen as throughout the entire film the protagonist only encounters three Nazi officials. No wonder the entire film comprises of trivial close-ups - zoom out any closer of the scenes inside "Auschwitz" and you'll see your lawnmower, power tools and inflatable paddling pool.

Finally, this film is incredibly misleading. By the end of the movie, you will question why you spent your time watching this film. You would have done so for a number of reasons. Perhaps you are interested in Second World War history, and were hence drawn to the film because of its 1) Rave reviews on the front cover and 2) Respectable score of 6.7 on IMDb. Those who are considering watching this film, do not be deceived. The reviews on the DVD are all by the same woman, probably related by some description to the director, which also explains the commendable IMDb score. The fact that there are under 20 reviews also means the score is far from representative. This film is intrinsically poor, irreconcilable with the genuine Holocaust experience, and verges unintentionally on a stand up comedy. It is the worst film I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.

It is based on a true story from the protagonist and Dr Mengele. Badly filmed with the sound and picture by amatuers but the story in hindsight is ok but in real time, the chopping and changing makes a bad cut.

If you bear with it, it shows compassion and love still existed in the most heinous of circumstances.

I have to agree with earlier reviewer who said it is like a bad school play. Certainly actor who played Mengele cannot act.

With such an emotional subject, there is a lack of feeling to this production. Cinematography lacks awareness, everywhere looks too clean and new. The character, Josef, is almost a comic with a laughable fake German accent. The music score is awful and reminded me of those cheap CDs usually entitled 'relaxation' Or Yoga Music. Lighting is dark, but this might have been an (unsuccessful) attempt to create atmosphere.

I am genuinely amazed at how unengaging and superficial this film felt. It surprises me that a film with this subject can be so uninvolving and unaffecting. Just about everything is well below standard - music, acting, dialogue, editing..... etc. There is not one area where it feels like there has been real skill applied.

It is very difficult to try and imagine what the director thought he was showing. We jump around in time and characters have not even been aged. We follow (a very unconvincing) Mengele more than the title character. Most scenes seem to have been filmed against a shed wall. All the sets feel small and there are no wider shots or context. The sets, the costumes and the actors just do not convince in any way.

I won't even bother addressing historical inaccuracies and the ridiculousness of some scenes because the film never gets the viewer to a point where those things matter - it never grabs you or gives any convincing sense of even one character to latch on to or care about.

There is no atmosphere. No sense of any realism. Women deliver nice clean babies without breaking a sweat. A short, lazy scene showing the pre-Auschwitz life of characters does not automatically give them life or create empathy. A few wipes with a muddy cloth on your actors' legs will not suffice to convey that they are people suffering in Auschwitz.

I have learnt one thing. I know now it is possible to make a film about Auschwitz and leave the viewer almost completely emotionally untouched. I wouldn't have believed it before this.