Sophie Scholl: The Last Days Review

Sophie Scholl: The Last Days
Sophie Scholl is a student in grave danger from the establishment for distributing anti-Nazi leaflets in 1940s Germany.

by David Parkinson |
Published on
Release Date:

28 Oct 2005

Running Time:

117 minutes

Certificate:

tbc

Original Title:

Sophie Scholl: The Last Days

Focusing on the anti-War resistance of the White Rose movement in 1940s Germany, Marc Rothemund’s compelling chronicle of courage is based on Sophie Scholl’s interrogation and trial records, and so shares some of the authenticity and intensity of silent masterpiece The Passion Of Joan Of Arc. Certainly, Julia Jentsch’s display of quiet stoicism as Scholl, the student who was guillotined for distributing propaganda leaflets,  can be compared to that of Arc’s Falconetti as she combines political conviction with a burgeoning spiritual surety of the righteousness of her cause.

Gerald Alexander Held also impresses as the punctilious criminologist whose respect for Scholl grows during his claustrophobic inquisition. The only flaw is that André Hennicke was allowed to portray the presiding magistrate as a stereotypical ranting fanatic.

Compelling in its depiction of quiet heroism, this testament to the power of passive resistance is made all the more authentic and poignant by the superbly controlled performance of Julia Jentsch.
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