El zorro

Inspired by the experiences of the director's great-grandfather, Franz Streitberger, during World War II, the film centers on the unexpected bond formed between an Austrian motorcycle courier and an injured fox cub amidst the chaos of war.

One of the film's most striking aspects is its ability to handle the brutality of war and the delicate relationship between humans and nature in a balanced way. The bond between our main character, Franz, and the fox offers him hope and compassion in the midst of a life filled with loneliness and trauma. Simon Morzé's performance as Franz successfully portrays a character who speaks little but is full of emotion.

The movie offers a visually striking and emotionally resonant cinematic experience, masterfully blending technical brilliance with a deep thematic exploration. From the very first frame, the film establishes an intimate and nostalgic atmosphere through its choice to use a 4:3 aspect ratio with rounded corners. This decision, reminiscent of early 20th-century cinema and archival photographs, strengthens the historical setting while immersing viewers in the personal and almost dreamlike quality of the narrative. The framing not only evokes the past but also creates the feeling of being immersed in a memory, intensifying the emotional weight of the film.

The cinematography by Yoshi Himerat and Paul Sprinz is exceptional, capturing the austere beauty of the 1940s with meticulous attention to detail. Every frame is carefully composed, using muted tones and period-specific lighting to reflect the harsh realities of World War II. The visual style complements the exploration of lost innocence and the eventual return to primal instincts, deepening the emotional impact of Franz's journey. The raw and unpolished aesthetic adds a layer of authenticity, helping the audience feel both the brutality of war and the tenderness that arises in the midst of it.

Simon Morzé's portrayal of Franz is outstanding. His depiction of an introverted young man, struggling with internal battles and isolation, is notable for its subtlety. Franz's emotional journey mirrors that of the fox, which becomes a powerful metaphor for the human condition. Just as the fox, initially wild, becomes domesticated by circumstance-an animal that voluntarily submits to a tamed life only to be abandoned-Franz finds himself trapped between the suppression of his natural instincts, the forced separation from his family, and later, the brutalities of war etched into his mind. Morzé's nuanced performance conveys Franz's internal struggle, capturing both his vulnerability and his gradual transformation as he faces the harsh realities of the world around him.

The relationship between Franz and the fox is at the heart of the film, not only as a narrative device but as a profound metaphor for the tension between domestication and the return to a more instinctive, survival-driven existence. The fox, initially a symbol of innocence, is domesticated, abandoned, and ultimately freed; its journey mirrors Franz's emotional evolution. The film establishes a touching connection between the two, highlighting how both characters are victims of their circumstances. As the fox is forced to confront its wild nature once again, Franz is also compelled to relinquish his innocence and face his emotional maturity, which allows him to understand that the abandonment he experienced as a child was due to circumstances beyond his control.

The treatment of innocence in the film is deeply emotional. The young fox becomes a symbol of purity and hope, acting as a link to a world untouched by the corruption of war. This innocence sustains Franz during the darkest moments of his journey, reminding him of the human qualities he is at risk of losing. The bond between the two speaks to the universal search for connection, loyalty, and survival-not only in the context of war but in the face of any existential challenge.

The screenplay, with its depth and subtlety, allows for multiple interpretations of the bond between Franz and the fox. It is not simply a story about a soldier and an animal; it is an exploration of the emotional scars the protagonist carries and the internal struggle to maintain humanity, as well as the profound connection that can exist between humans and animals. The film masterfully intertwines these elements, offering a rich and deep narrative that speaks to the complexities of emotional survival, loyalty, and the primal instincts that persist in all of us.

Based on a true story ,the movie is decidedly off the beaten track and depicts the friendship of a soldier and a fox ;taking place when the German army was triumphant , for defeating the French and the English was just a pushover after Poland ; the vengeful spirit plays a prominent part and the fathers will be proud of their sons' prowess which redeems their 1918 humiliation;it was the same despicable spirit in France after 1870. However when the movie ends ,when the Germans want to celebrate Xmas in Moscow , they should have remembered Napoleon's Berezina .

In a world gone mad , the young soldier does not seem to care about the big victories ;the more I know men,the more I love dogs (or foxes) seems to be his motto though he remains a good soldier, not a rebellious mind ;one must note that the superiors were lenient when he did not join his mates (he's not really looked upon as a deserter). The scenes with the French woman provides the movie with its low point :there does not seem to have the slightest problem of communication between them ,which is a little unlikely all the same .

One scene at the beginning -when the little boy is taken away from his family ,"for his own good" -echoes to one of the final scenes ,that of the fox running behind the vehicle ;both scenes are harrowing.and will drive you to tears.

Animals remain friends to men when they fight each others : "der Fuchs " belongs to a genre which includes Spielberg's "war horse"(2011) and the French movie starring Fernandel "la vache et le prisonnier" (1959)(the cow and I ", itself based on a true story)

If you cried for Hachi, you will drool and cry for this!

Two independent relationship tracks with the WW ll backdrop narrated so well with exceptional cast, and the fox simply steals your heart. You will melt when the fox looks at the human quitting on him and that human realizes his dad's efforts to read his letters. Amazing work. Best work seen in an underrated package.

The narration seamlessly explains the progression of early abandonment to protectionism on the vulnerable animal, growing to extreme attachment that mekes possible to give up even the chances of human courtship. The friendships created during the tenure is meaningful. The initial Nazi consolidation is seamlessly blended into the main journey,

If you come from "Babylon Berlin" and are used to the glamor of the Golden Twenties, with the electrical lighting and the cars and the heated apartments, this will be quite sobering. A couple hundred kilometers to the south none of these existed. At least, that's how I felt.

The actors do a great job, especially Simon Morzé, who takes the introversion of his character to a level that it would be labelled as "social anxiety" nowadays: He totally keeps to himself, sits aside when others gather and is totally unable to express or explain himself when he would need to. This makes him the target not of teasing but of outright hostility. He more or less floats along with the story while the fox actively drives it, in one instance by approaching the protagonist and in another when it chases the chicken of the French woman Franz gets friends with.

Less great is the pacing. In the first (estimated) half hour nothing notable happens until a rich(er) farmer comes to take young Franz with him. Then there's a time lapse and Franz joins the army. Another year later, he's in the camp where he meets the fox, and so on. It kind of drags on and goes into a rush when the next time lapse is coming up. Humour is totally absent although I couldn't help but grin in the scene where the sick kid and the father have a chat because the whole scene was subtitled. Seems like the film makers deemed the Austrian in that part too heavy even for Austrians. I freely admit that I had to peek into the subtitles for »Selchkammer« (pantry) myself.

Who is this film for? I'm not sure to be honest. Someone called this a war movie, but I wouldn't recommend it to those who like "Saving Private Ryan". Sure, the whole story wouldn't have happened if it weren't for WWII, but that's merely a story framework and a loud background as Franz is at no point near the front. I'd rather call it a second-row war movie. If I needed to compare it with something, I'd choose "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" or "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas".

However, the final scenes compensate for the drag in a way.