Sophie Scholl - The Final Days: Review By Dan

The banality of evil- Ordinary people accepting their state's beliefs and government system, however cruel and insane they may be. Sadly, this is Sophie Scholl's (Julia Jentsch) world, living in 1943 Munich, Germany. In the face of bigotry, godlessness, and genocide, there was the "White Rose" resistance movement during World War 2, lead by Germans who opposed Nazism and Hitler's world views through words and subtle sabotage..

As Sophie and her brother, Hans Fritz Scholl (Fabian Hinrichs) distribute leaflets, declaring the falsehoods of Hitler's "Final Victory" and other lies, before classes let out in Munich University so that a maximum number of students see their rebellious ideas, they are accused by a worm of a teacher who witnessed them spreading the leaflets before they are able to escape from the University. As they are apprehended by the Gestapo, Sophie and her brother are separated and interrogated by "criminalogists" at the Stadelheim Prison, to determine their exact political views and where they stand with the German state. What follows is a battle of wits and beliefs between Sophie and her interrogator Robert Mohr (Gerald Alexander Held), as Sophie initially denies her involvement with the White Rose, and after undeniable incriminating evidence is presented, admits and argues her righteous beliefs to the atheist, bigoted Mohr.

What I found the most admirable about Sophie Scholl is that everything she did was by her choosing. She didn't have to distribute leaflets, detailing the truth of the war and risk being caught and executed, as she was a German, protestant student who was doing well by the standards of living in that time period. But while others were content to simply follow like sheep with whatever the Nazi Party (and let's be honest, when you see everyone else doing something, your natural reaction is to do the same), she and her brother stood up and fought back peaceably. And why would they do this, considering they had a relatively comfortable life, free from persecution? Because as she outlines to Mohr during their arguments, she has a conscience she chooses to embrace, strong convictions derived from her parents who raised her in a God fearing, humble household, and because it was the right thing to do in the face of evil acts and dark days.

Films such as Sophie Scholl: The Final Days are the type that need to be shown in every classroom. People need to constantly be reminded that yes, there are evil men and women in this world who would seek to dominate and murder others (Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, Kim Jong-il to name a few), but their dominance and power is almost purely derived from the obedient masses. Had the White Rose movement taken stronger root during World War 2, I imagine Hitler would not have rose to power the way he did. It doesn't help that he himself was an eloquent, passionate speaker, nor Joseph Goebbels (his right hand man) a master propagandist, but it is still not an excuse for people to stand idly by while their neighbors who looked slightly different from them or believed in God a different way are maltreated and brutalized. Evil is evil, however loud and boastful and self righteous it may sound. Again, the banality, the acceptance of evil, is humankind's larger downfall than the person committing the atrocities.

From a technical standpoint, everything looks to about how it should for 1943 Nazi Germany. Sophie's world is dominated by stark grey's, black's, and red flags with the bastardized Swastika. The color scheme matches effectively with the events transpiring in her world. And yet, there are several moments where she stares at the sun and feels its warmth on her skin, as a haven of sorts from her grim reality. I found this to be an uplifting contrast, as it is symbolism of her belief of a higher power and righteous ideals. It seemed each time she took a moment to bask in the sun's warmth and say a prayer, she grew stronger and braver towards her accusers. By the film's conclusion, she prophetically states to the courtroom full of Nazi Officers that "You will soon be standing where we stand now" before being lead off to be executed. Martyrdom complete.

The most ironic thing about Sophie Scholl's story is that despite how large and powerful the Third Reich was, they were terrified and worried over the words and peaceful actions of a 21 year old girl. She has no military training, probably wouldn't hurt a fly, and yet her ideas are more damaging and scary to them then a million bullets fired directly into Adolf Hitler's head, as much fun as that prospect sounds, as witnessed in Quentin Tarantino's fictional "Inglourious Basterds". And though they threaten Sophie with death, like V from "V for Vendetta", she knows that through her death and efforts, she will inspire and spread those ideas to others who may not have acted, *Spoiler* and this is literally shown in the film's conclusion as we see thousands upon thousands of leaflets detailing those ideas from the White Rose being dropped on Germany by Allied planes.

While I don't like to judge films based on history like your typical Hollywood affair, I will say that the exchange between Jentsch and Held in his office becomes quite the showdown once she comes forth honestly with him. They are the antithesis of one another, as she has a sparkle of hope in her eyes and words, and he has only deadness in his, a true believer in the evil he worships. It is also almost smirk inducing once the actual trial commences, as Sophie and her brother make a mockery out the "People's Court", and their President, Roland Friesler (Andre Hennicke) simply by stating the truth. Truly some fine, believable acting chops here.

Take this movie into your classroom (if you are a student), debate it, because while the events in this film transpired 68 years ago, this type of evil still exists in our world, just under different names and different lands. The only way to combat it is to continually remind ourselves that we can shed the banality of evil by speaking up and acting out against it.

I didn't cover the usual "aspects" of a review, because I felt it more important to talk about the fortitude and bravery of Sophie Scholl and the messages behind the film.