La rosa bianca - Sophie Scholl

As a person who spent many years 'making art', I could not be more amazed reading some of the comments. I've just been to a preview of Sophie Scholl in Manchester, England; and I am not only glad that this movie has been made, but also that it is done at the time when young people are happier to do 'whatever' rather than have any principles.

There is no point debating historical accuracy. As it followed from the Q&A session with Marc Rothemund following the preview, not only the filming took place at the original locations that are still there, but the crew went at great length doing things 'right', including getting the weather reports for February 1943. Yes, there is this strange feeling of looking at the film's title, which sounds like the title for a documentary. But then I didn't gather the impression that Rothemund's goal was to poeticise the story of Sophie Scholl. I think it is quite enough that in Germany she is perceived as a martyr. What Sophie Scholl - Die Letzten Tage does successfully is it shows a person behind the image, a young girl (younger than myself), who was prepared to die for her idea, but desperately loved life.

I read critical comments, and mine was in part sparked by them. Far from trying to debate their correctness, I'll do exactly what I always do on these occasions. Guys, those of you who decide to write next dismissive drag, instead tell us how you would direct in Rothemund's place. Or how would you act in place of Julia Jentsch? If you have really valid suggestions, we'll all be happy to hear.

This film is not about the „Weisse Rose" (White Rose) resistance group, nor is it about Sophie Scholl. It sticks very closely to its title, and only deals with the last days of Sophie Scholl. Having staked out such a narrow subject, Marc Rothemund is able to narrate the story in great detail. This allows the use of pauses in the dialogue which add to the credibility and drama. I read the official version of the interrogation before seeing the film, and felt that a very good effort had been made to reconstruct what may have actually happened. I also felt that the atmosphere which the film conveyed to be entirely plausible for that time, which I am not old enough to have lived through. For instance, the characters always seemed to be holding back, and not opening their feelings to each other.

Because the official version of the interrogation was dictated by Robert Mohr, it is certain to contain many gaps, such as the lines of questioning before reaching Sophie Scholl's quoted replies. The film may have tended to be too dramatic in filling those gaps. It was surely too dramatic in showing so many chance encounters in the various corridors. Perhaps this tendency to over-dramatise was necessary to present the otherwise rather dry historical events. At least the final result was almost believable, in contrast to many films about the past, and it was an improvement on earlier films covering the White Rose, simply because so much more has come to light since they were made.

This is one of the best dramatic reconstructions of historical events that I have seen.

OK, first of all. This movie is absolutely not like "the Downfall" (Der Untergang). Sophie Scholl is way more demanding and exacting. Now, 3 days after I've seen this movie, I still got a feeling of guilt and concernment in my stomach. In my opinion Sophie Scholl is due to its precision more like a (replayed) documentary movie than a Drama, which makes it even more "shocking". This is for sure no light entertainment, and those, that don't like long conversations or even are not interested in history, should not watch this movie. This is the main reason, why Sophie Scholl won't make the transatlantic heap, because it's too "special". It's a part of German history and requires a willingness to cope with it.

Marc Rothemund does a very good job on directing this movie, and Julia Jentsch is very convincing. While watching this movie you don't have the feeling that the story is 60 years ago and can't touch you. It makes you feel like you're in the thick of it. And that's why I give a 9/10. Great Movie.

A war is being waged by a mad man, who fans the flames of conflict where he can, in Germany and abroad, he slashes with his sword, but the tide begins to turn against his plan. The University of Munich takes the stage, where a group of students publish their outrage, covertly they dispense, argue against armed offense, it's a war of words and wisdom on a page. But the powers that have stolen all free speech, hail down upon the message that you preach, incarceration and then court, corrupted state gets what it sought, but there is solace in the strength of your outreach.

The powerful and inspirational story of Sophie Scholl as she's arrested, tried and punished for being part of The White Rose movement during WWII with a great central performance from Julia Jentsch.

In 1943, in Munich, the siblings Sophie Magdalena Scholl (Julia Jentsch) and Hans Scholl (Fabian Hinrichs) distribute anti-Nazi pamphlets in the University of Munich. However, they are arrested by the Gestapo and Sophie is interrogated by Robert Mohr (Alexander Held).

Sophie becomes loyal to her ideal and to her comrades of The White Rose resistance group and pleads guilty of all charges to save them. In a couple of days, she is judged by a Nazi court with her brother Hans and their friend Christoph Probst (Florian Stetter ) and they are sentenced to death and beheaded.

"Sophie Scholl - Die Letzten Tage" recreates the last days of the twenty-one year-old Sophie Magdalena Scholl, who was a student of the University of Munich and leader of the Anti-Nazi resistance group The White Rose. This awarded film has great performances and direction, and the dialogs are awesome, specially the ideological discussion between Sophie and Mohr during the interrogation.

I am a big fan of German movies and for those who liked "Sophie Scholl - Die Letzten Tage", there is another good film about this resistance group named "Die Weiße Rose" (1982). My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Uma Mulher Contra Hitler" ("A Woman against Hitler")