Set during the tail-end of Hitler’s Nazi rule in Germany, the film is a gripping, moving, intense and inspiring account of Sophie Scholl, who was convicted of high treason after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich with her brother Hans. Being a foreign film – the movie was in German – it was good that the DVD we had came with English subtitles (I was told that some DVD versions are subtitle’less’) which made the storyline and dialogue easy to follow.
“Without law, there is no order. What can we rely on if not the law?” Mohr asks.
Sophie mildly replies,
“Your conscience. Laws change. Conscience doesn’t.”
I found the interrogation scenes between Sophie and the interrogator, Robert Mohr fascinating and engaging. Her initial I-had-nothing-to-do-with-it strategy eventually gave way to claiming responsibility for all that had taken place. Throughout the barrage of questions and heated ideological exchange, Sophie’s deep conviction, sharpness of mind and most of all, her fortitude shone out admirably – a definite far cry from the notion that ‘women are the weaker sex’, as remarked by Mr. Mohr to Sophie during their first encounter.
In a time where lies and propaganda were the order of the day, Sophie stood up for truth. More than that, she (along with her brothers and friends) sought to spread it to as many as she could being fully aware of the risks involved. She was prepared to face the consequence of her actions. There wasn’t going to be any compromise. In the end, she paid the price – with her life.
As Sophie is led into a courtyard, she says “The sun is still shining!”
She is brought to the execution chamber and placed in a guillotine.
The blade falls and the picture goes black.
The ending was grim yet imbued with a sense of hope. A hope rooted in her faith in God. A hope that everything was not in vain. That ultimate justice will prevail. That death is not final.
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” – Rom 6: 8 – 9
I’d encourage you watch it if you can. For a proper review, click here
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