The Ninth Day
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DVD details
Actor: August Diehl, Bibiana Beglau, Germain Wagner, Hilmar Thate, Ulrich MatthesBrand: Kino International
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Original Language); German (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 98 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-12-06
Audience Rating: Unrated
Model: 4382
Studio: Kino International
Product features:
- NINTH DAY, THE DER NEUNTE TAG (DVD MOVIE)
DVD Reviews of The Ninth Day
DVD Review: Grim portrayal of Nazi persecution against anti-Nazi clergy
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Ninth Day" is not exactly a Holocaust drama in the strict sense as it's main focus is not about the persecution and extermination of Jews by the Nazis during WW II, but about the persecution of anti-Nazi clery by the Nazis. It is a subject that is often overlooked in movies about WW II, but it was very real and these men of cloth truly suffered for their convictions. Based on the true life story of Father Jean Bernard, the movie centers around the trials and tribulations of Father Henri Kremer, who had been deported to the infamous Dachau concentration camp for his anti-Nazi activities [he had been assisting the Luxembourg resistance].
The beginning of the movie portrays Father Kremer and his fellow clergy being at the mercy of the sadistic camp guards, even witnessing the crucifixion of a fellow priest. Then something inconceivable happens - Father Kremer is informed that he has been released and is sent off back home to Luxembourg. It is only upon arrival in Luxembourg that Henri [Ulrich Matthes]realizes that something is afoot - he is whisked off by the Gestapo to meet with an SS official, Gebhardt [August Diehl] and unceremoniously informed that he has not been granted release, but a 'leave' of nine days, in which period he is to accomplish something for the Nazis' benefit.
To his utter disgust, Henri discovers that he has nine days to persuade his Bishop to sign a proclamation that confirms the Luxembourg church's allegiance to and alliance with Hitler and Nazi Germany. Henri has been chosen because of his family connections and close rapport with the Bishop, but we discover later that other factors also played a part in Henri being chosen for this role.
To collude with the Nazis is unpalatable to the devout and anti-Nazi Henri, but he also realizes the high risks involved in desisting - if he flees, his fellow clergy back in Dachau will be executed, and if he refuses, his family [a sister, a brother and a brother-in-law] will be at risk too. What is a honorable man of the cloth to do in such a position?
The movie is very much a human drama with lots of intense dialogue and verbal sparring ,especially between Henri and the SS Gephardt, but the pace never lets up. The audience is always kept on the edge of their seats as we wonder how each encounter with the cunning and evil Gephardt will turn out. There is not much violence in this movie compared to other WW II and Holocaust dramas - but there is a sense of pervasive evil throughout the movie as embodied by Gephardt and the sense of doom hanging over poor Henri.
The two main actors, i.e. Ulrich Matthes as Henri and August Diehl as the Nazi Gephardt are incredible in their roles - they truly come to personify the good and the evil. Ulrich Matthes' deep-set black eyes burn with a fervor that commands the screen - his anger & his anguish are effectively conveyed by his eyes without need of any dialogue. August Diehl as the wily Nazi is also a commanding presence on screen - his character seems cultured and deferential but the monster within is quick to emerge when thwarted in his goals. The theological debates between Henri and Gephardt are perhaps the best scenes in the movie - we have on the one hand, the devout Henri who is unmoved by any pleas or bribes to change his convictions, and the evil Nazi who tries to use religion to have his way [he's a former deacon who chose to become an SS over the priesthood]. I can't really describe it - but watching these two debate each other was truly compelling, especially in listening to Father Kremer rebut each point made by Gephardt.
All in all, this is a must-see for those who want to learn more about the persecution of anti-Nazi clergy during WW II. There aren't that many movies made on this subject, and this is one of the few stand-outs in terms of it's superior quality.
Description of The Ninth Day
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