Bonhoeffer

A first-rate documentary, in the style of the Peeb with the substance of Ophüls, on the German theologian who bore witness to the martyrdom all around him like a hero of the Old Testament.

The Peeb accepts Doblmeier’s tribute by broadcasting the film at two-thirds its original length, with an offer to buy “an extended version” through the network. Which, depending on how you look at it, is obliging as all hell or else eking out a precarious existence.

The problem is, this is an uncomfortable reminder of Bonhoeffer’s radio address against Germany’s “Misleader”, which was curtailed by the authorities. Niemöller preached “God is my Führer”, and went to the camps.

Stauffenberg is seen in still photos, and another of Bonhoeffer’s colleagues, the conductor Von Dohnanyi’s father (the son is among the interviewed, some of whom knew Bonhoeffer and worked with him, and some theologians clarifying some points).

Brandauer reads Bonhoeffer’s texts in English. One of his many paradoxes is that life in the world teaches faith by forgetting one’s sufferings for those of God in the world.