Truth & Treason

I knew Angel Films only by L'espion de Dieu (2024). As both that film and its subject are problematic, I approached this one skeptically. I am surprised to find myself such an endorser and enthusiast for this film.

Anti-Nazi protest was exceptionally rare in the Third Reich. Everyone who studies German in the USA reads of the White Rose group in Munich in 1943. Its story--long since told in Die weiße Rose (1982) and the somewhat overwrought Sophie Scholl - Les derniers jours (2005)-- exactly parallels Helmuth Hübener's.

This film arrives just when there are too many Generation Z men, informed by TikTok and video games, hence very confused about Nazism. That makes this film timely.

Truth and Treason is a powerful and sobering historical drama that follows three German teenage boys who decide they've had enough of Hitler's lies and Nazi propaganda. Set during one of history's darkest times, the film captures the courage, fear, and desperation of youth standing up to a monstrous regime. It's a story rooted in truth and moral conviction - one that shows how even the smallest voices can echo the loudest when speaking against evil.

Directed with remarkable restraint and focus, Truth and Treason manages to captivate its audience from start to finish. Historical dramas often risk losing their emotional punch by getting bogged down in dense facts or overly complex dialogue, but this film strikes a strong balance between accuracy and storytelling. The pacing, while deliberate, maintains enough tension and emotional depth to keep viewers engaged. Yes, it runs a little long at around two hours, and there are moments where your attention may drift - but the overall narrative always pulls you back in.

The three boys at the center of the story serve as emotional anchors, and their journeys are both heartbreaking and inspiring. The film doesn't shy away from showing the brutality of Nazi Germany or the psychological toll of living under constant fear. The performances are raw and honest, giving weight to the themes of truth, resistance, and moral courage. You can feel the fear and conviction in every scene as these young men risk their lives for what's right.

Angel Studios, known for their faith-based and morally driven storytelling, took a slightly different approach here - and it works. While the film never becomes preachy or overtly religious, it doesn't hide its spiritual undertones either. Jesus is mentioned multiple times, and moments of prayer are woven naturally into the story, adding layers of hope and humanity amidst the horror. It's refreshing to see faith integrated authentically, rather than used as a backdrop or afterthought.

The screenplay itself is solid, though it could've benefited from tightening in a few places. Certain dialogue-heavy scenes slow the pacing, but they're counterbalanced by emotionally intense moments that remind you why this story matters. The direction is steady, the cinematography beautifully bleak, and the score elevates the emotional weight without overwhelming it.

By the film's conclusion, you're left reflecting not only on the bravery of these three boys, but also on the broader message - that truth is worth fighting for, even when the cost is everything. Truth and Treason stands as a moving tribute to moral courage and the resilience of faith under fire. It may not be a perfect film, but it's an important one - and one that lingers with you long after the credits roll.

Angel Studios deserves real praise for taking on such a daring and emotionally charged story. For once, they managed to balance faith, history, and human struggle in a way that feels genuine and deeply affecting. It's a tough watch at times, but it's one that will stay with you - and hopefully inspire others to speak truth, no matter the cost.

This advertisement for this film was all over my Instagram feed so I decided to go see it. I knew nothing about the story. It is a fascinating film about a German teen taking a stand against Hitler. This is a true story. This film is definitely worth seeing. The acting and the production are excellent.

Look, I believe that people have to actually watch a film before they make an opinion about it. So whatever I or anyone else says, watch the film for yourself and make your own judgement. That said, I thought this was an amazing film. It was well made, the acting was great, and the message was heartful and impactful. Are there already plenty of stories about Nazi Germany? Yes. Are there other movies with a similar message? Also yes. But that doesn't make *this* story any less important. All stories have value, and the most important thing is the message. For me, this film is more significant because it is true.

Someone else on here said the film played it safe and didn't take any risks; that's fair enough, but why overdramatize what really happened? I'm sure the makers took some liberties, but this is largely a true story. I'm sorry it's not as exciting as others, but it is recounting what actually happened. This film is really about the lesson it teaches, and the inspiration it gives. Sometimes the simplest stories have the greatest effect.

I know there are people who are going to criticize the religion in the film. To that, I just want to say that the civilians of Germany were mostly people trying their best, and it was *not* easy to balance doing what you knew was right and keeping your head down so you and people you loved wouldn't get hurt. It's not necessarily an excuse, but it's not up to us to make judgements on these people because we were not there. The truth is, not everyone had the courage to stand up like Helmuth did, and that's part of why his story means so much to me.

All in all, I would definitely recommend Truth and Treason. I hope you give it a chance.

Truth and Treason is one of those films that sneaks up on you. The first half plays like a fairly straightforward political thriller - interesting enough, but you think you know exactly what kind of movie you're watching. Then the back half hits, and it turns into something far more gripping and emotional. The tension in the second act never really lets up, and by the time it reached the ending, I was genuinely choked up.

Knowing it's a true story makes the whole thing land even harder. Ewan Horrocks plays Helmuth Hübener, a young man - not a soldier, not a politician - just someone gutsy enough to tell the truth when it mattered, even though it cost him everything. In a moment in history where truth is constantly bent, packaged, and sold, watching someone refuse to bend to power feels both inspiring and distressing.

Horrocks is excellent. By the time the courtroom scene comes around, he feels like someone you personally know and want to protect. Rupert Evans, who plays SS officer Erwin Mußener, is great in the opposite direction - not cartoonishly evil, but a man entrenched in power who slowly starts to crack as reality bleeds in. That dynamic reminded me a bit of Under the Banner of Heaven, where obedience and conscience collide.

If I break it down, the first half is a 4/10 and the second half is a 9/10, so I land at a 7/10 overall. Absolutely worth watching - and worth sitting with afterward. It's a film that lingers, especially given the times we're in.