Lidice

Never ever forget the Germans what they did to Europe ! Never ever trust them !

"Lidice" is a film that, despite its noble intentions and occasional flashes of brilliance, struggles to fully realize its potential as a poignant historical drama. The film treads a delicate balance between historical reverence and cinematic artistry, but it doesn't always succeed in navigating this tightrope.

One of the film's standout features is its cinematography. The Czech countryside is captured with stunning beauty, offering a stark contrast to the grim and oppressive atmosphere of the unfolding genocide. This visual juxtaposition effectively underscores the tragic nature of the events, and the careful attention to period detail-especially in props, vehicles, and costumes-further immerses the audience in the era. The use of lighting and color palettes is particularly effective, creating a visual tone that is both somber and poignant. However, while the film is visually compelling, it suffers from uneven pacing that detracts from its overall impact.

The narrative structure is where "Lidice" encounters significant problems. The film attempts to weave together multiple storylines, but the transitions between them are not always smooth, leading to a disjointed and fragmented storytelling experience. This lack of cohesion diminishes the emotional resonance that a film of this nature requires, making it difficult for viewers to connect with the characters and fully engage with the story.

The performances are a mixed bag. The lead actor delivers a solid and occasionally powerful performance, particularly in his portrayal of a man grappling with guilt and responsibility. However, the supporting cast, though competent, often fails to convey the depth of emotion that the subject matter demands. At times, the characters' reactions to the atrocities around them feel muted, which is especially jarring given the gravity of the historical events being depicted. This inconsistency in acting quality undermines the film's emotional impact.

The direction shows potential, particularly in its ability to create tension and evoke a strong sense of place. Yet, there are moments where it seems to lose its grip, allowing the story to meander or become bogged down in unnecessary subplots. This lack of tightness in the narrative structure further detracts from the overall impact of the film. Additionally, the editing leaves much to be desired, with jarring cuts and transitions that disrupt the continuity and flow, pulling the viewer out of the experience.

Despite these shortcomings, "Lidice" is not without merit. Its visual storytelling is often compelling, and when the performances hit their mark, they are genuinely moving. The film serves as a crucial reminder of the atrocities committed during the war, and its historical accuracy in terms of events and settings is commendable. However, its potential is ultimately undermined by its execution.

Movie intentionally does not follow heroic or pathetic line so common in many world war dramas. It builds story of human beings who even during horrible times live their lives with their flaws and strengths. It follows rather an unexpected main character who actually survive the Lidice tragedy in a prison. This creates much more humanized perspective without pathos. In the main role, Roden excels as always. Cinematography is great.

The tragic story of the village of Lidice (Czechoslovakia), one of the small locations attempting to survive the cruel Nazi Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia . The film concerns lives of a few characters , troubles , distresses until the really awful finale in 1942 over Lidice , a village that had nothing to do with the assassination and it became the real spagecoat for it . Furthermore , dealing with The Butcher of Prague , General Reinhard Heydrich was appointed by Hitler to become the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia .As a squad of Czech expatriates : Jan Kubis, Josef Gabcik and Slovak soldiers are parachuted from England into Czchecoslovakia in order to assessinate the Czchecoslovakia General Governor, Reinhard Heydrich , the main architect behind the Final Solution and the Reich's third in command after Hitler and Himmler. This mision would change the face of Europe forever, being executed when Heydrich proceeded on his daily commute from his house to Prague castle.Then the ruthless Nazis retaliated with physical elimination of Lidice, including burning, destruction and massacre inhabitants .The Germans were unable to locate the attackers until the traitor Karel Curda was arrested by the Gestapo and gave the names of the team for a bounty, as they took refuge at an Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius in Prague.

The picture tells various interconnected stories winding up in the terrible final result . As a distressed family whose father is condemned to prison after a strong , heated discussion with his son that led his death, other story dealing with Reinhard Heydrich's killing committed in Prague on 27 May 1942 , executed by the resistence, the subsequent bloody retribution and an engaged Letter that was the principal cause to justify the brutal slaughter. This Reinhard Heydrich assassination has been shot in recent films as "Anthropoid" 2016 by Sean Ellis with Cillian Murphy , Jamie Dorman , Toby Jones , Charlotte Le Bon and Detlef Bothe who performed the killed Reinhard Heydrich and in "Lidice" reprised this character, in addition, "The Man with the Iron Heart" by Cedric Jiménez with Jason Clarke, Rosemund Pike, Jack O'Connell, Jack Reynor . And other oldest movies as the classic "Hangmen also die" 1943 by Fritz Lang , " Hitler's Madman" 1943 and "Atentat" 1964. In this "Lidice" 2011 the main starring results to be Karl Roden giving an acceptable acting as the disturbing father , who accidentally and drunk kills his son at a wedding celebration , being imprisoned and suffering a real sentiment of guilt , personal responsability and pain . This is the only familiar face in a large cast as Zuzana Fialova, Zuzana Bydzovska, Roman Luknar, Adamczyk, Jan Budar, mostly formed by good Czech actors but unknown in America and remaining Europe . Although the film is parcially disjointed it was professionally directed by Petr Nokolaev , being correctly based on facts.

When you visit Lidice, you can walk through the empty Lidice valley, stand by the grave where the men of Lidice are buried, and see the foundations of the Horák farm, where they were executed. You can visit the cemetery that still exists there. In the museum, you can view a collection of photographs of the old Lidice and its inhabitants. You can also see the original photographs that filmmakers tried to recreate in the movie, including a photograph of the improvised execution site with benches by the wall of the Horák farm, where the executed men lie. You can also listen to letters. I listened for as long as I could bear.