For what it’s worth, I kind of like the theory that Abraham Lincoln was murdering vampires on the side and that that was the real issue behind the Civil War
Also, and truly, thank you for the Bonhoeffer reading plan. I only own the Prison Letters because I remember it being on your shelf. "Read as Myles reads" is a common dictum in these parts.
Thank you. Since I first saw the trailer for this film, I knew it was going to bear little resemblance to the real Bonhoeffer. The comparison with Abraham Lincoln is apt. Both men have achieved mythical status in our minds, so that we reshape them into whatever mold we wish. Bonhoeffer's role as a spy or co-conspirator against the Nazis was not the defining aspect of his life. Indeed, it was the one he felt most ethically fishy about. His writings on suffering, discipleship, and the Christian communal life were most important.
Just read the whole thing. Thank you for it, Myles. Grateful for a clear and wise caution against creating the true stories of humans in our own image.
License to pursue political power is more attractive to Christians than nuanced theological reflection on the complexities of following Jesus … 🤦♂️, thank you for writing the CT article 👏🏻👏🏻
It’s so tempting to mold historical figures into buttresses for our own beliefs and agendas. Not surprising that those who sometimes do this with scripture would do it with Bonhoeffer too.
I've been bracing myself for this movie. I was quite hopeful about it, but also worried that it might be exactly as you described. I will probably still see it (so that I'm able to converse with it) but, like you, I will probably *not* recommend it.
Myles, I appreciate your writing and, as an ACU alum, am glad to continue following and learning from folks around that community. I have a question though:
Have you considered reaching out to the writer/director of the film, Todd Komarnicki? I listened to a recent interview between him and Tripp Fuller (http://bit.ly/4faQ9ks). Hearing directly from him gave me a much better sense of his heart and perspective. Also, the film's actors have released a statement which was distributed by the Bonhoeffer Society (https://bit.ly/3Day6Ob). Hearing from those who worked directly on the film has given me a much different perspective than the suspicious one I first had around the film.
After seeing the movie, I do still have some questions that I'd love answered. Particularly around the scene that you highlighted: What was going on when Bonhoeffer appeared to turn against pacifism? Why the subtitle "Assassin"? What is meant by weaving together the assassination attempt with Bonhoeffer's sermon? Having these clarified by the filmmakers would be helpful.
After skewering his film and turning many away from it, perhaps a fair next step would be a good faith follow-up interview with Todd Komarnicki? I'd be fascinated to hear that conversation.
Thanks, Drew – I don’t really have a way to get in touch with him, and even if I did, I don’t know that it would be appropriate in that my review was about the work itself and not the ones making the work. Art has to be judged, not just on its intent, but on its execution and on the material matter, and there were lots of errors and Mistakes in the material matter of the film itself.
I have no doubt that his own life was inspired and challenged by the witness of Bonhoeffer. No doubt at all. But that doesn’t change the assessment that I have of the film itself.
Thanks. I’ve read Life Together and Discipleship. I owned both the Bethge and Marsh books but never read much of either and gave them up when I was forced to significantly downsize due to a move. I’ve considered getting the Marsh book again.
Thank you so much! I’m going crazy reading all the 5-star, I-loved-it-so-much and cried-through-the-entire-film reviews. I wish I had read your review prior to seeing the movie. Staying home to read his actual words would have been time much better spent!
A lovely review, and I concur with all your points, except to add that Bonhoeffer's Prison letters are misunderstood, not overrated. There is so much good material in them, but they need to be liberated from being read in a context of theological liberalism, which is most assuredly not what Bonhoeffer was advocating from prison!
Thank you for this. You actually saved me from going to see it with people tonight.
Glad to be of service.
So, the headline here is that Lincoln did not hunt and kill vampires???
Who’s to say?
Well, you. You said it, Destroyer of Dreams pertaining to Mythic Histories! You!!!
For what it’s worth, I kind of like the theory that Abraham Lincoln was murdering vampires on the side and that that was the real issue behind the Civil War
Excellent review. Bonhoeffer as bebop band leader but not a single frame about his dance career. What a crap film.
Also, and truly, thank you for the Bonhoeffer reading plan. I only own the Prison Letters because I remember it being on your shelf. "Read as Myles reads" is a common dictum in these parts.
I’m sad to see you beat me to the Abraham Lincoln vampire hunter comparison.
Thank you. Since I first saw the trailer for this film, I knew it was going to bear little resemblance to the real Bonhoeffer. The comparison with Abraham Lincoln is apt. Both men have achieved mythical status in our minds, so that we reshape them into whatever mold we wish. Bonhoeffer's role as a spy or co-conspirator against the Nazis was not the defining aspect of his life. Indeed, it was the one he felt most ethically fishy about. His writings on suffering, discipleship, and the Christian communal life were most important.
Unlike the film, DB writes that he could never justify his act theologically but had to throw himself on God’s mercy
Just read the whole thing. Thank you for it, Myles. Grateful for a clear and wise caution against creating the true stories of humans in our own image.
This is kind of a mantra of mine when it comes to reviewing works on historical figures, as it's a huge temptation, and an easy one to fall into. Exhibit A: https://theotherjournal.com/2022/11/will-the-real-dorothy-day-please-stand-up-%EF%BF%BC/
This is why I was so careful in my dissertation / book on his Ethics. 80% history, 20% ethics, trying to avoid using him to say what I wanted to say.
It’s so hard using Ethics.
My goal was to present a unified vision of Ethics; I’m satisfied with the result.
License to pursue political power is more attractive to Christians than nuanced theological reflection on the complexities of following Jesus … 🤦♂️, thank you for writing the CT article 👏🏻👏🏻
It’s so tempting to mold historical figures into buttresses for our own beliefs and agendas. Not surprising that those who sometimes do this with scripture would do it with Bonhoeffer too.
I've been bracing myself for this movie. I was quite hopeful about it, but also worried that it might be exactly as you described. I will probably still see it (so that I'm able to converse with it) but, like you, I will probably *not* recommend it.
A suggestion after seeing the movie and consulting further resources: https://myleswerntz.substack.com/p/interested-in-the-new-bonhoeffer/comment/80928222?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2m2yf
Myles, I appreciate your writing and, as an ACU alum, am glad to continue following and learning from folks around that community. I have a question though:
Have you considered reaching out to the writer/director of the film, Todd Komarnicki? I listened to a recent interview between him and Tripp Fuller (http://bit.ly/4faQ9ks). Hearing directly from him gave me a much better sense of his heart and perspective. Also, the film's actors have released a statement which was distributed by the Bonhoeffer Society (https://bit.ly/3Day6Ob). Hearing from those who worked directly on the film has given me a much different perspective than the suspicious one I first had around the film.
After seeing the movie, I do still have some questions that I'd love answered. Particularly around the scene that you highlighted: What was going on when Bonhoeffer appeared to turn against pacifism? Why the subtitle "Assassin"? What is meant by weaving together the assassination attempt with Bonhoeffer's sermon? Having these clarified by the filmmakers would be helpful.
After skewering his film and turning many away from it, perhaps a fair next step would be a good faith follow-up interview with Todd Komarnicki? I'd be fascinated to hear that conversation.
Thanks, Drew – I don’t really have a way to get in touch with him, and even if I did, I don’t know that it would be appropriate in that my review was about the work itself and not the ones making the work. Art has to be judged, not just on its intent, but on its execution and on the material matter, and there were lots of errors and Mistakes in the material matter of the film itself.
I have no doubt that his own life was inspired and challenged by the witness of Bonhoeffer. No doubt at all. But that doesn’t change the assessment that I have of the film itself.
https://substack.com/@bwbaker/note/c-79022387?r=20id7&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Your opinion of the Marsh book? You called it revisionist.
Revisionist in the sense of incorporating new elements into the biographical story.
Thanks. I’ve read Life Together and Discipleship. I owned both the Bethge and Marsh books but never read much of either and gave them up when I was forced to significantly downsize due to a move. I’ve considered getting the Marsh book again.
I missed the subtly.
The movie may get people to actually read his books.
Thank you so much! I’m going crazy reading all the 5-star, I-loved-it-so-much and cried-through-the-entire-film reviews. I wish I had read your review prior to seeing the movie. Staying home to read his actual words would have been time much better spent!
A lovely review, and I concur with all your points, except to add that Bonhoeffer's Prison letters are misunderstood, not overrated. There is so much good material in them, but they need to be liberated from being read in a context of theological liberalism, which is most assuredly not what Bonhoeffer was advocating from prison!