Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin

Inspired by Eric Metaxas’ New York Times bestselling biography, the film Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin will be released on November, 22 in over 1,000 theaters across the country.  Angel Studios, well known for The Chosen and Cabrini, has produced an exceptionally exquisite film based on the extraordinary life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

The film is directed by Todd Komarnicki, well known for his work on Elf and Sulley. From the opening scene, the viewer is immediately ensconced in the storm clouds of early twentieth-century Germany. The desaturated color palette paints murky grey visual tones reminiscent of David Fincher’s motif and subliminally captures this ominously dark chapter in German history. 

In one of the opening scenes of the film, young Dietrich is playing piano in his home at the funeral of his beloved older brother, Walter, who was killed in WWI. He angrily darts from the piano to his room, lamenting to his mother, “No one was listening. No one cared.”  To which his mourning mother says, “Everyone cares, they were just swept up in their thoughts.”  

This became the prophetic symphony of Bonhoeffer’s life — Releasing the notes of heaven in perilous days where few listened, and fewer cared.

The all-German cast is superb, but Jonas Dassler's performance as Bonhoeffer towers in strength and subtleties and is assuredly worthy of award-winning recognition. His boyish smile beguiles his dark, sunken eyes, which simultaneously project the joy and torment of his life’s calling.  

As the world winced on the brink of annihilation at the hands of the Nazis, Pastor, and Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer vehemently warned the Church of the encroaching evils of the Nazi regime.  He masterfully charged the Church to rise in the power she possessed and to stand against the blitzkrieg of hell that was intent on exterminating both the God of the Bible and the Jewish race. But he was not merely a pulpiteer content with preaching the truth — He put his faith into action and lived it out.

The film stirringly captures Bonhoeffer’s transformation from devout believer to Spirit-filled warrior during his months at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. As he trudged through the dusty books and endless boredom at Union Seminary, it was in the black Church that Bonhoeffer experienced the vibrant power and intimate presence of the Lord in His people and within himself.  

As Reverend Powell unveiled the glories of God for Dietrich, the theology in his mind was set ablaze by the newly burning fires in his heart.  Dietrich nearly comes out of his seat and emphatically says, “I want that!” 

It was also during his time in New York that he experienced the hateful racism waged against his black brothers and sisters.  He couldn’t reconcile how faith-filled white people could harbor such hatred.  His friend Frank explained, “Hate comes in many colors, Dietrich.  Your eyes have just not been opened yet.”  His return to his homeland opened his eyes so thoroughly they would never be closed again.

Upon his return, the rise of the Nazis was sweeping through the nation, taking one local election at a time while Hitler hypnotized the masses.  In an endearingly somber moment between Dietrich and his twin sister Sabine, she says, “Something is coming.  Something unstoppable.” Dietrich assuringly avowed, “Nothing is unstoppable.”  And he knew it was true.

Bonhoeffer was boldly preaching the truth of the Gospel at a Sunday morning service in a most memorable scene, a scene many of us wish would happen in our own churches.  As he openly rejected the deceptive and dangerous tenets of Nazism that were infecting churches like a replicating virus, many walked out mid-sermon, including some of his fellow clergymen.  Pretending to be offended, they were, in fact, cowards who held fast to self-preservation and reputation.

But as Dietrich greeted people at the door as the remaining congregants exited, it was soul-lifting to see a few people quietly lean in close to say, “Thank you.  It’s been a long time since I’ve heard the truth.” Young Dietrich’s heart cry was being answered: Some were listening, and they cared.

Bonhoeffer not only proclaimed the truth, he put truth into practice.  When he was approached by his friend Hans to participate in a plot to assassinate Hitler, he confidently complied, “Here I am, Hans.  Send me.”  Some of his fellow clergy forbade him to get involved and urged him to, instead, love his enemy, saying, “Is Hitler the first evil ruler since scripture was written?"  Bonhoeffer said, “No. But he’s the first one I can stop.”

Nothing is unstoppable.  And he believed it was true.

The plot to kill Hitler failed, and Bonhoeffer was arrested. In the arrest scene, a German officer mocks Bonhoeffer, saying, “What has become of the church when the pastor becomes an assassin?”  Bonhoeffer famously replies, “If a driver were running over children, wouldn’t it be everyone’s responsibility to stop it?

Bonhoeffer was held in several prisons and ended up at Buchenwald, one of the gruesome concentration camps.  Throughout his imprisonment, we see him writing his famous letters, encouraging inmates and guards, and wringing his heart before God, asking Him to take him home to glory. In his final sermon before martyrdom, Bonhoeffer said, “This is for me the end, the beginning of life.” 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged on April 9, 1945. On the morning of his execution, he leads his fellow prisoners and one guard in holy communion.  The scene at the gallows landed heavy, salted tears on many cheeks at the private screening, prompting each to ask ourselves:  Am I doing everything the Lord has put before me?  And, at the end of my life, will I know that I have done all things well?

Just three weeks after his death and his new life had begun, Hitler committed suicide, and the war drew to an end.  

The overused theatre slogan “Must see!” is rarely warranted. But in this case, everyone must see Bonhoeffer, particularly those in churches that are eerily quiet about the battalions of evil marching across our land today.  

Most of this glorious movie unfurls as flashbacks from his time in prison, which serves to highlight his resolve, determination, and unwavering faith as he awaited execution. The agonizing scenes in his cell are reminiscent of Jesus’ prayers of anguish in the garden before His death.

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him to come and die.”

We are listening, Dietrich.  And we care.  The notes of your life resound as a symphonic invitation we all must heed for as long as breath fills our lungs. Yet, it will mean little unless we accept this invitation and our caring turns into action.