Walking with the Enemy

Based on true story, 'Walking with the Enemy' is a gripping tale of WW II Hungary. However, a couple of characterisations seem awry. In the first place, Otto Skorzeny is turned into a nasty Adolf Eichmann type character, when he was in fact a combat commando who was acquitted of war crimes charges. Also, Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Regent Horthy is probably too noble - Horthy may have been basically decent, but he was also opportunistic, particularly in the earlier stages of the war. .

Early in the film, resistance fighter Cohen (Jonas Armstrong) and one of his friends have the opportunity to steal a German officer's uniform to enable Cohen to infiltrate areas that he would not normally be able to go. It's actually a concentration camp guard uniform, because it has the insignia of the SS-Totenkopfverbände (Death's Head Units - the administrators of the concentration camps), which ALL German WWII officers wore according to many film and TV producers. The film itself has the feeling of a made-for-TV-movie, but IMDb doesn't give any indication of that being the case. There are places with clear demarcation between acts, as if to enable commercials to be inserted for television. Additionally, I'm used to watching Jonas Armstrong in the BBC series "Robin Hood". Armstrong maintains two to four days of beard growth throughout the film, including when he is wearing the SS uniform, even though the SS were required to be clean-shaven daily, and maintained a high standard of grooming and appearance. I'm guessing that the filmmakers are counting on the vast majority of people not knowing that so Armstrong can use his "rugged good looks" to help win us over, in case we weren't already on his side as the film's hero and Nazi fighter. That's probably also why his hair was longer than the SS would have allowed. The film is based on the true story of Pinchas Tibor Rosenbaum. The film's producers must have felt that a name like Elek Cohen would be a little easier for us goyim to handle than Pinchas Rosenbaum. It's a well-produced film, other than Armstrong's grooming, and an important World War II story about resistance to the Germans. I recommend it.

"Walking with the Enemy," a 2013 historical drama set during World War II, offers a glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of Holocaust history. While the film's intentions are noble, its execution falls short of its potential, resulting in a somewhat middling experience.

The movie's strengths lie in its compelling true story and the earnest performances of its cast. The production design effectively captures the period, immersing viewers in war-torn Hungary. However, the film struggles with pacing issues and occasionally relies on melodramatic elements that detract from its historical gravity.

Despite its flaws, "Walking with the Enemy" succeeds in shedding light on acts of heroism during one of history's darkest periods. The film's 6/10 rating reflects its admirable attempt to tackle complex historical events, even if it doesn't fully realize its ambitious goals.

For viewers interested in World War II narratives and stories of individual courage, "Walking with the Enemy" may prove to be a worthwhile, albeit imperfect, viewing experience.

Walking with the Enemy is a gripping tale of a horrible time in history. This emotionally wrenching movie is a unique re-telling of a real life story. I recommend watching this movie but caution you, if you do watch the film, please make sure you have plenty of Kleenex on hand to wipe away the tears you are sure to shed. This movie was interesting because it reveals the courage it took to impersonate a Nazi in order to save the lives of innocent people. It is sad to think of the heartache people had to live through and the lives that were lost due to demonic acts of inhumanity committed because of hate and a false sense of importance.

I was captivated from beginning to the end with Walking with the Enemy--Although it clearly shows the horrors of the Holocaust taking place in Hungary, it also is a true story of hope and is ultimately a hero's journey. For this reason, it had me cheering until the end. Far too few films about the Holocaust focus on the Jewish resistance--kudos to the producers who carve out a place for one of these Jewish heroes in the history of the Holocaust. This is a true story of a young Jew brave enough to stand against Hitler's horror machine by dressing as a Nazi SS officer, rescuing men, women and children from extermination. The film opened my eyes to this little known fact --there were some Jews who stood strong against evil. What an incredible story and tribute to an amazing young man. The editing and storytelling were seamless which made the film both entertaining and yet meaningful. The cinematography was excellent. Although painful to watch, Walking with the Enemy finds a balance between hope and the truth of horror. The ending brought tears to my eyes, wow..brilliant..a slice of life story of the Holocaust I otherwise wouldn't know about. Overall , I recommend this film to a wide audience from 18-64, men and women interested in a story about an unsung hero.