Father Rupert Mayer

My wife and I liked the movie of Father Rupert Mayer, which is based on a true story that took place back in World War 2 in Munich, Germany. It was about a priest who defied the German Nazi's military and spoke-out how he felt about the treatment of the people by the Nazi's, in his church sermons. The commanding Nazi General wanted to have him shoot, but was warned it would bring enormous about of trouble from the German people for shooting a priest. All of the Nazi's wanted Father Rupert Mayer to refrain from saying bad things about Hitler and all of his followers. So they tried to break him by locking him up in the filthy prisons. That is all I will tell about the movie and its plot. The beautiful screen shots taken around the city of Munich, brought back old memories of when I was stationed there with the U.S. Army in the late 1950's. The Stunning Bavarian scenery of the area was reflected beautifully in the scenes. The director Damian Chapa and the rest of the actors did a wonderful job. The plot was easy to follow. Good acting. Was good to see a few very popular old and middle aged actors still doing their stuff.

About a truly heroic real life figure who deserves to be celebrated. Unfortunately, it was let down by some amateurish performances among the supporting cast. But seeing a person's integrity overcome all obstacles is inspiring nevertheless.

This is all Damian Chapa's film, both for the script, the cinematography and the direction. In all three capacities, it's an outstanding film deserving only credits. There are some flaws,however.

The story in itself warrants a masterpiece, the ordeals of the first world war when he loses a leg, the persecution by the Nazis in the second, and so forth. It's impossible to make a flawed film out of such a story, adorned all the way by his one comfort in playing the violin.

To this comes the remarkable cinematography. Especially in the first part, as long as it is all black and white, the cinematography is a marvel throughout. The effect when it changes to coiour, when for the first time the Jewish question is introduced, is striking, to say the least.

The one thing that makes the film miss one point, is the exaggerated direction, tending to make the actors overact. It's unnecessary and must produce the opposite effect to the one intended. Over-dramatization is always a mistake, striking hard instead of concentrating on the target.

So the film is a bit overdone. It would have gained in being half an hour shorter, with a more efficient flow in the direction and story-telling. Transport stretches are always a nuisance,, especially in Wagner operas.

The subject matter is good, but this movie is poorly executed. Dialogue is wooden and amateurish, particularly that of Nicola Mayerl, who seems totally out of her element. And the film is a bit to pushy when it comes promoting Catholicism, or at least the protagonist's ability to perform miracles-for instance by talking to horses. Don't waste your time with it.