This movie is probably the perfect double -edged sword.
On the one hand it is absolutely perfect. Perfect actors, perfect movie sets, music et al. But this movie is obviously not about performance, although the VOM has apparently invested a lot into it, to have their donations rolling.
It is about an incredible story of salvation of the Wurmbrand's, and at least the physical salvation of others, while we are not aware through this movie if spiritual salvations occurred.
My two favorite quotes will give you a glimpse of what awaits you in this movie:
Richard "... it reveals to us the death of our sinfulness, our deep need for a Savior. No, I think, no, I do not want a Jesus who has been calculated, explained and believed in. I want a real Jesus. Is that such an impossible ideal?"
Sabine "From the day of my wedding forward, I only ever kissed two men, one my husband, and two, a man who murdered my family."
Now why a double -edged sword?
Because the producers could not take their hands away from the Anglican and Lutheran church. It is incomprehensible why such a movie had to be ruined through denominational divisions. Why could Wurmbrand not simply have found his salvation in a church building which had not been hastily decorated with a big print of 'Anglican Mission to the Jews'? Why did the producer commit the incredible error to involve Luther's name in this movie?
The only reason I see to have included Luther into this movie, -and it would have been a perfect opportunity- would have been to apologize in the name of the Reformed / Lutheran Church for the Holocaust which would probably not have existed without Luther (very hard words but we cannot ignore this well-known truth). But to present now precisely a Lutheran as savior of those who suffered the ugly consequences of Luther's antisemitism, is ridiculous at best, it is audacious.
I deeply respect Wurmbrand for what he has done and suffered, no matter the denomination. But precisely this denomination should have been left out of the movie. It would have been so easy to leave the church door blank and to let him be just a Christian pastor.
