BONHOEFFER

Ireland/Belgium, 2024, 132 minutes, Colour.

Jonas Dasslow, August Diehl, David Jonsson, Moritz Bleibtreu Vincent Franklin, Clarke Peters.

Directed by Todd Komarnicki.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is considered one of the great Christian figures of the 20^th century, the first half of the 20^th century, his stances in spoken and written word, in action, against Nazi fascism leading to his death. The title of his most famous book, The Cost of Discipleship with its distinction between cheap grace and costly grace, has been powerfully influential on the nature and living Christian discipleship.

The subtitle on the advertising and promotion is not in the film itself. But, there are three tantalising words: pastor, spy, assassin to evoke curiosity.

Bonhoeffer is sponsored by Angel Studios, the American Christian production company, responsible recently for Sound of Freedom, Cabrini. Filmed in Ireland and Belgium, the principal members of its cast are German, Jonas Dasslow effective as Bonhoeffer with quite some resemblance in features. Veteran Moritz Bleibtreu is Bonhoeffer’s father. August Diehl is a minister who defies the Nazis and goes to prison. David Jonsson and Clarke Peters appear in the US sequences.

This is a portrait of Bonhoeffer, not a full biography, but a highlighting of key issues in his life. In fact, there are quite a number of other films about Bonhoeffer, some biographies and in 2025, another cinema portrait, Holy Traitor.

There is a complex structure for the screenplay, some initial sequences of the family in 1914, the experience of World War I, an introduction to the lively young boy, Dietrich, the strong influence of his supportive parents and siblings. But, then there is a transition to 1945, Bonhoeffer imprisoned, memories of his past, his impending execution. Which means then that the flashbacks are always seen in the light of his ultimate fate and faith.

Commentators have pointed out that there are many aspects of Bonhoeffer’s life that are not included, years of serious academic study in Germany, an engagement with a young friend and her visiting him in prison, the writing of his books. And, some changes in factual aspects, especially the location of his death.

However, the flashbacks build up a portrait of an earnest young pastor, studying in New York, bored with the formal studies, a black friend, Frank, opening his sensibility towards jazz, introducing him to the spirituals, discussions with the black Baptist leaders who challenge him to his understanding of lived faith, authentic religion, and an experience of violent racism at a hotel in Washington DC.

On his return to Germany, his family filling him in on what is happening, the rise of Hitler, targeting the Jews, Bonhoeffer is at first in disbelief, then taking strong stances, listening to a firebrand Protestant pastor lauding Hitler and Nazism, challenging his friends, preaching and the military walking out despite applause from the congregation.

Over the years, Bonhoeffer writes, takes stances, teaches in a seminary which is closed down and the students enlisted to fight, visits to England and is appeal to British clergy, his being invited to participate in a plot to assassinate Hitler, his going to the Swiss border for an exchange of Jewish prisoners.

Bonhoeffer was arrested along with his brother-in-law, jailed for a year and a half, the film showing the almost liberation of the prison, Bonhoeffer, before his death, solemnly celebrating the Eucharist and Communion ritual, symbolic of his readiness to die.

There have been quite a number of films about Dietrich Bonhoeffer but here is an opportunity to see him, admire him, reflect on his moral choices, reflect on his faith, costly grace and the final cost of his discipleship.

1. Status of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a 20^th-century champion against fascism? A Christian champion? This film is a portrait, tribute?
2. Audience knowledge of Bonhoeffer, his life, ministry, anti-Nazi, the Confessing Church in Germany, his stances against the Nazis, the plot to assassinate Hitler, his arrest, execution? His writings, the Cost of Discipleship?
3. Jonas Dasslow and his resemblance to Bonhoeffer? The opening, the family, the period of World War I, the play between the brothers, the chasings, Dietrich and his being venturesome, his brother going to the war, his death, in the coffin? The grief, the parents? Dietrich playing the piano, upset?
4. The structure of the film, the continued linear narrative, the leap ahead to the arrest and imprisonment, his memories in prison, the flashbacks? The overall effect of this portrait and the various pieces?
5. The incidents included in the screenplay? Aspects not included, his extensive studies and academic achievements while young, the friendship with Maria and the engagement, the prison visits? Not focusing on his writings or the publication of his books? The change of venue for his execution? The record and his naked execution? Yet what is included giving a portrait?
6. Dietrich as the German in the United States, the lecture scenes, his being bored, Frank and his getting Bonhoeffer involved in the Baptist Church, the choir, the enthusiastic congregation? And the jazz, a mystery to Bonhoeffer, playing the piano, getting into the rhythms? His return and playing the spirituals, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot to the Germans?
7. The effect of America on him, changing perspective of religion, churchgoing, congregations, participation, the nature of faith? The discussions with the Rev Powell, his presence, perspectives, in the church, the choir? That the meal table, testing Bonhoeffer’s beliefs and faith? Suggesting the trip to Washington?
8. His return to Germany, the 1930s, the rise of Hitler, the importance of the discussion sequences, Dietrich and his disbelief about Hitler’s dominance, the opinions of his father, his brother-in-law, the rest of the family? The support of his mother? His shock, the targeting of the Jews, his experience of racism in the US – and the incident of his getting a room in the Washington hotel, the violence at reception, against Frank and them both?
9. The discussions with Martin Niemoller, his caution, listening to the aggressive Nazi clerical preacher, his fanaticism? The impact on Bonhoeffer, writing, preaching, discussions, the sympathetic bishop, his sermon, the Nazis present, his strong words about faith, the Gospel, Hitler usurping God’s role? The walkout of the military? The applause of the congregation?
10. His observation of the rounding up of the Jews, intervention, the elimination of the old Testament, making Jesus Aryan?
11. His visit to England, the discussion with Bishop Bell, his speaking to the assembled clergy, their hesitations? The episode with Churchill and his wife supporting? The later visits to England and support, his ministry there? Not supporting him, fear of an invasion?
12. Martin Nieoller, his apology, his sermon, the family meeting, his son, wife, the arrest, and years in the camp?
13. The seminary, the young men, earnest, the football game, Bonhoeffer and his lectures, his decision to go to Berlin, his brother-in-law, subversive, Resistance, the plan to assassinate Hitler, Bonhoeffer giving his consent, the image of the bus driver dangerous and about to kill the children, destroying the bus driver? His pacifism? Lies, the visit to the authorities, his allegiance, not believed, his getting the money from Sweden and England, the choice of the seven men, taking them to Switzerland, the disbelief, at the border, the bribe, their freedom? This money laundering used against him in the court?
14. The seminarian, coming to Berlin, the news of the destruction of the seminary? The visuals of the assassination attempt on Hitler, the assassin, the explosives, Hitler getting into the car, disposing of the bombs?
15. The bond with his brother-in-law, the arrest? In prison, in the cell, the disgraced doctor and his imprisonment, scepticism? Bonhoeffer, his writing in the Bible, his memories, the nightmares in the night? The bombs falling, escape from the cells, the man running away and being shot, the others rounded up, the Bible dropping in the mud, the sympathetic soldier and his forcing Bonhoeffer, retrieving the Bible? The transfer?
16. The court findings, the gallows, the soldiers in prisons lined up, Bonhoeffer and the communion sequence, the bread, the communion, including the soldier?
17. Bonhoeffer at peace, on the gallows, the hanging?
18. Bonhoeffer and his achievement, his stances, the significance of action? And the condemnation of the German churches for not standing up and speaking out against Hitler?