I'm always interested in WWII history as my father served. Only having heard vaguely of this attempt in a History Channel program about the attempts on Hitler's life I had never been aware of the facts and the larger story of the man behind the first unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. 13 Minutes depicts this brilliant lone man's attempt to end a mad man's rule reverently for history. As much as a terribly tragic story can, it also explains his despair for taking eight other lives while Hitler escaped unharmed.
Aptly titled this movie drives home the point of how likely it was a 13 minute period, the time between Hitler's exit and the bomb's detonation likely allowed millions and millions of innocent deaths during Hitler's bloody reign. Equally important for Americans is the unspoken belief that the war may have de-escalated to the point where Japan may have thought better of attacking at Pearl Harbor. Of course, 13 minutes made what could have been a world altering difference.
The story of Gorg Elser should be remembered. There were many Germans who never believed Hitler was a righteous leader. Of many, however, few ever acted so complete was Hitler's henchmen in their terrorizing constant threat of torture and death. Elser was a rare anomaly. So rare, Hitler himself couldn't accept a common laborer, who refused to join the National Socialist Party could conceive and carry out such a well executed bombing. There would be, in time, deadly punishment in the ranks for failure to uncover co-conspirators. This kind of evil hubris underscores the madness of Hitler's brand of vile leadership.
This is a no-nonsense film that layers on, literally, nothing to make a story more incredible. It's just a vivid snapshot of a time and place where one man couldn't just stand by and watch. Christian Friedel does an admirable job of recreating how humanity can be trampled on yet survive to do something beyond the believable. His acting skills, along with the excellent writing and direction, put one in his shoes and, it's quite uncomfortable. It's truly poignant. The Gestapo henchmen all bring the required menace to counterpoint the dire evil the Nazis defended to. It's a film to weigh the cost of regaining something right when everything is only worsening. In the end you'll celebrate the bravery, and likely forgive the collateral damage, of Georg Elser and within that there is a powerful lesson. Our world around us is still fighting. Evil forces still exist. Thus we should all watch this movie because there is so much we have yet to learn. A must see.
Aptly titled this movie drives home the point of how likely it was a 13 minute period, the time between Hitler's exit and the bomb's detonation likely allowed millions and millions of innocent deaths during Hitler's bloody reign. Equally important for Americans is the unspoken belief that the war may have de-escalated to the point where Japan may have thought better of attacking at Pearl Harbor. Of course, 13 minutes made what could have been a world altering difference.
The story of Gorg Elser should be remembered. There were many Germans who never believed Hitler was a righteous leader. Of many, however, few ever acted so complete was Hitler's henchmen in their terrorizing constant threat of torture and death. Elser was a rare anomaly. So rare, Hitler himself couldn't accept a common laborer, who refused to join the National Socialist Party could conceive and carry out such a well executed bombing. There would be, in time, deadly punishment in the ranks for failure to uncover co-conspirators. This kind of evil hubris underscores the madness of Hitler's brand of vile leadership.
This is a no-nonsense film that layers on, literally, nothing to make a story more incredible. It's just a vivid snapshot of a time and place where one man couldn't just stand by and watch. Christian Friedel does an admirable job of recreating how humanity can be trampled on yet survive to do something beyond the believable. His acting skills, along with the excellent writing and direction, put one in his shoes and, it's quite uncomfortable. It's truly poignant. The Gestapo henchmen all bring the required menace to counterpoint the dire evil the Nazis defended to. It's a film to weigh the cost of regaining something right when everything is only worsening. In the end you'll celebrate the bravery, and likely forgive the collateral damage, of Georg Elser and within that there is a powerful lesson. Our world around us is still fighting. Evil forces still exist. Thus we should all watch this movie because there is so much we have yet to learn. A must see.