Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace

This is a good film, and certainly relevant as the church struggles to find its place and vocation in the world today. It is a humble picture that gets by on the strength of its (true) story, and indeed, the incredible witness of Bonhoeffer himself. Both Bonhoeffer enthusiasts and those unfamiliar with his life and works will find this film interesting. It succeeds (as much as a 90-minute film can) in showing how Bonhoeffer wrestled with, and was challenged by, the events of his day. Most Christians (forgive the stereotyping, but I am one, so give me some slack) tend to judge the world as a young creation gone wrong, whereas Dietrich Bonhoeffer viewed the middle of the 20th century on its own terms -- as a world come of age, and acted accordingly.

Bonhoeffer was a very well done movie about the legendary Christian leader and minister Deitrich Bonhoeffer. It told his story, warts and all. It showed the philosophical dilemna that a Man of God struggled through and eventually is sacrificed for. It is a insight into a man who wanted to serve God and mankind, the conflicts, the way he touched others lives, then and now through is great writings. I recommend it.

This film was made by a small production company and most of the actors are unfamiliar. However, in spite of this, the film is a well-made drama about an amazing man of faith, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was a German Lutheran minister who managed to make a nuisance of himself--and as a result he spent the last part of WWII in prison awaiting execution.

Overall, this is a very good film and was a treat as a historical and religious film--though its Biblical message is not even close to heavy-handed or preachy (so anyone can enjoy it and its message). The acting, sets and direction were also quite good. My only reservation concerns the tempo of the film--it is very, very slow-paced and low-key. Some might be put off by this, but if you can get through this you'll likely enjoy learning about this interesting man. Not great, but very good--especially with such a small budget.

By the way, I did a tiny bit of research about this man and was surprised to see that the actor playing him actually looked very, very much like Bonhoeffer.

In an age where genuine concern for others seems to be conspicuous by its absence this spare yet profoundly moving film gives us a glimpse of a great spirit. Christian or not, it's essential viewing. Theologian Bonhoeffer was a man for all seasons, following the voice of his conscience to the end. The recent release of this film makes one wonder why it took so long to have Bonhoeffers story retold on the screen. He could have escaped from the Nazis but chose to stay with his people, helping wherever he could. Right through the film we find ourselves asking what we would do in the same situation? This story is rich food for thought and discussion.

No doubts, an admirable film. For performance and for for the wise use of low budget to propose not only a biopic about Dietrich Bonhoeffer but a fair remind of fundamental values defining our society, the danger , in its different forms, the moral dilemma of a brilliant teologian and the sacrifice for save the other and the sense of a time. Sure, many critics are valable but the film is just decent and seductive for the inspired exploration of a difficult subject, easy to be prey of pathetic temptations. It is a sketch and a profound religious film because the essence of the work of Bonhoeffer is to serve God being profound helpful to His believers . A film about moral, maybe too simple for many tastes but real honest. Short, just an admirable portrait of a man and, in some serious measure, portrait of our times.