Story
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. is a biopic about Deitrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who joined the resistance against the Nazis, and whose writings have had a great influence on Christian doctrine, not only in Germany but worldwide.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Jonas Dassler) was a young boy when his older brother Walther (Patrick Molleken) went off to fight in the First World War and didn’t return.
Now old enough to study abroad, Dietrich leaves Germany and goes to New York, to theological college. There, he befriends Frank (David Fisher) who introduces Dietrich to the world of jazz and black gospel music. This has a great influence on Dietrich, who sees Frank’s church as truly living Christianity.
Dietrich returns to Germany to find the Nazis have taken power and are starting to round up Jews. Dietrich is deeply opposed to this and to the fact that the German church is supporting the Nazis. Dietrich causes a split in the church and goes on to join the resistance movement. He becomes instrumental in the first assassination attempt on Hitler, which, as a Christian, he struggles with but ultimately decides is the right thing to do.
Themes
WWII; moral struggle; Nazi Germany; genocide; racism
Violence
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. has some violence. For example:
- Many depictions of war scenes, including soldiers with rifles, bombs exploding and shootings.
- An abusive hotelier points a rifle at Dietrich and Frank and shouts insults. He spits at and hits Dietrich across the head with his rifle.
- Nazi soldiers smash statues in a church and replace crosses with Nazi flags.
- A member of the resistance is shot dead.
- Dietrich is punched in the stomach by Nazi soldiers on several occasions.
- The Gestapo orders his men to take whatever they want, then burn a house to the ground.
- Dietrich lashes out in frustration and smashes several objects in his room.
- A man wears a suicide vest to blow up Hitler but the bomb doesn’t go off.
- Dietrich is led to the gallows with his hands tied behind his back. He is then hung for his role in the attempted assassination plot.
Sexual references
There are no sexual references in Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin..
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. has some substance use. For example:
- Drinking at various events, including at clubs and at home.
- Characters smoke cigarettes and cigars.
Nudity and sexual activity
There’s no nudity and sexual activity in Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin..
Product placement
There’s no product placement in Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin..
Coarse language
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. has some coarse language. For example, ‘bastards’ and ‘son of a bitch’. A hotelier also calls Frank a ‘black tar baby’.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. is an inspiring biographical drama about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian and pastor who had the integrity and courage to stand up to Hitler and the Nazi movement at the cost of his own life. The movie is very moving and an important reminder of what has happened in the past in the name of nationalism and fascism, however, its themes make it unsuitable for children under 12 years and more suited to older children, teens and adults.
The main message from Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. is to stand up for what you believe in and not to give in to evil.
Values in Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. that you could reinforce with your children include courage, selflessness, acting on your conscience, integrity and strength of character.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. could also give you the chance to talk with your children about how standing up for what you believe in takes great moral courage but is greatly rewarding.