Escape from Germany

A good time for this movie which accurately represents the holy spirit and the goodness of those close to God. I am not a Mormon I'm a Christian and at times am concerned by those in the more cult like Mormon churches, however I felt this movie was well done and that God did reveal himself and provide protection to a group of good people doing good, it is at times of violence such as we have now that we all - Christian and those without faith must raise our heads and pray for peace and do what we can to do good. I believe all should watch this with an open mind and heart and see how God provides for us even in dark times.

I got a big kick out of this and qualifiedly recommend it over the streams of crappy films to be found on Freevee, Netflix, and Tubi. However it has to be said that a really interesting story has been poorly served by a somewhat careless script and intermittently inspired direction. The acting is all over the place. However if you can't get past all that you may be missing something fun and even important.

Mormons (LDS: Latter Day Saints) are an evangelical sect and LDS teenagers are sent abroad on a missionary year to proselytize while living with local Mormons. There have to be many amazing stories of culture shock and personal development, but this film somehow doesn't convey that, in spite of the fact that it's set in Nazi Germany in 1939.

Shortly before the German invasion of Poland, the president of the European LDS organization has a premonition that war is about to start and, despite the denials of the U. S. Embassy, orders the German mission to close and repatriate its missionaries. Chaos ensues since German Mormons are being drafted, the Nazis are requisitioning transportation and food for the military, and neighboring countries begin closing their borders. Mission personnel struggle to leave behind some kind of church structure, convince at-risk parishioners to leave the country, and account for nearly thirty young missionaries who are stranded somewhere in Germany. One young missionary, Norm Seibold (Paul Wuthrich), is given some cash and sent to go find the boys and help them out. Meanwhile the mission personnel try to escape the Kafkaesque Nazi maze. Inspiration, determination, and faith struggle against bureaucracy and inhumanity in the kind of story Hollywood can't seem to tell except as a children's movie.

As an old man who's been a movie buff for over 50 years, I have to say this film was painful to watch. Why? Because it was so poorly made in every aspect you can think of. The dialogue was ridiculous and the music was repetitive and annoying.

Although I am not "LDS" as they say in Utah, I did live in Salt Lake City for 3 years and I know from experience that members of "The Church" as they call it there, do NOT talk like the characters in the movie. It's obvious to me this is just a propaganda film to promote the Mormon faith. I found the local adherents of "The Church" to be very nice, polite people but at the same time, if you are not "one of them" -- you will never be fully accepted. At least, that was my experience there and one of the reasons why I came back to "America".

The reviews here are too harsh. This is an inspiring true story of faith and fear and heroic actions to save human life. Try to imagine what that would be like. Try to be open to what the true and story is. Every movie doesn't need to be full of sex drugs and rock and roll.

Sure the story could have had more depth. But it is riveting just the same.

Can you image the parents of these missionaries and how they felt? The dread and fear that's their children doing their Gods work could have been stuck and killed in Germany at this time? As a parent of a child who served a church mission, I feel that fear. Even as a non religious mother I'm sure they would also fear the loss of their child stuck behind enemy lines and the fear of what was happening.

Please watch this as it is inspirational. Again. Not a blockbuster but good non the less!

Comparing this movie to big-budget Hollywood films with A-list actors is impossible. So within the genre of modest-budgets with aspiring actors, this movie shines bright. Based on the true account of missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are forced to flee Germany before the advent of WW2, Director/Producer TC Christensen weaves a story with suspense, humor, and limited political context.

Some of the one-line actors (Elders) could have been better coached, and I didn't care for the delivery from some of the primary characters.

Despite these shortcoming, the sets were fantastic, scenes were realistic, and the overall atmosphere was beautifully done. Beyond that, the core message of God supporting his missionaries in a period of crisis was spot-on and inspiring.

The additional details, during the end-credits were a huge bonus. I will watch this again, and I'll recommend this to others who wish to know the true 1939 account.