Refer to Amy Butler’s review (I still haven’t worked out the whole link thing). Highly recommended.

Bonhoeffer gives a real feel for the situation in early 20th Century Germany, including the soil in which Nazism grew and how it began and deceived the church. It traces the churches changing response to developments under Hitler.

The film shows up well how extraordinary Bonhoeffer was. He was the first person to speak publicly against Hitler setting himself up as God when all the churches were getting into bed with the Nazis. (Apparently the name of Hitler’s political party needs censoring - how ironic!)

Succinct and insightful portrayals are given of the major influences on Bonhoeffer’s thought, including an encounter with the Black Gospel churches in New York.

Several theologians and pastors are interviewed providing interesting and thought-provoking theological commentary on some of the issues involved.

In particular there is an interesting discussion of the theological strand of anti-Judaism (originating with Luther) and how it should be distinguished from anti-Semitism, yet the fervour for the former was too easily converted into fervour for or at least complacency about the latter.

There are also interviews with people who sat in lectures under Bonhoeffer which give a real insight into his passion for the gospel and how it affected them, and how his thought developed to justify his involvement in the nearly-successful assassination plot against Hitler.

Plus footage of Hitler himself which gives a good idea just how compelling the man was.

It does all this with a no-schmaltz, understated & restrained style that befits Bonhoeffer himself. This subject could easily have been turned into a tear-jerker but is instead strictly profound and informative. I never thought a two-hour documentary could be so captivating. It is fascinating at historical, theological and human levels.

It is on every day at Valhalla Glebe at 12:15; 4:00 and 7:00 (except Sunday when there is no evening session).

I agree, Matt. Bonhoeffer was an extraordinary person! He earned his doctorate in theology when he was only 21. What impressed me about him was the fact that he could have escaped Germany, even the Nazi prison he was held out, but insisted on staying. He believed that if he left Germany he had no right to share in its freedom. He also stayed in the prison in order to be a comfort for those in need.

If anyone hasn’t read his poem “Who Am I?” Then I seriously recommend it.

You can also purchase the video from here. Is this the same one you saw Matt?
http://www.christianmultimedia.org.au/search.php

[ AMS Review here ]
[ Matthew, click here to see how to link to web pages]

Joe,

“Bonhoeffer - Agent of Grace” (#100001368) is a different movie, I believe.  According to IMDB , Matthew’s one seems like this one . 

I have seen “Bonhoeffer - Agent of Grace”.  I did like it, though I would have liked a bit more in-depth analysis which the new movie appears to provide.  As Glebe is far away for me, I may have to wait until a video release.

Like you Joe, I believe Bonhoeffer was an extraordinary fellow.  His poem Who Am I? is amazing.

Ian.

---
Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine.

“Who Am I?”, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Thanks for the tip on the links Ian! I don’t like negotiating all the geek stuff (just the words BBCode look daunting), but I think I’ve figured it out.

You are right I am speaking of a different movie (a documentary, in fact), and it is the one you pointed to, though you will find more information on the Valhalla website , or indeed the official website of the documentary.

It worked! How good am I? (I know, not quite as good as everyone else who has been using it for nearly 12 months).

Cheers
Matt

Oops. I went to the link I provided above but it came up to a different page than I intended you all to see. The video documentary was meant to be “Bonhoeffer, Memories and Perspectives.” It was a documentary interviewing those closer to Bonhoeffer. I brought it several years ago. A great doco.

[quote author="Matthew Williams"]Thanks for the tip on the links Ian! I don’t like negotiating all the geek stuff (just the words BBCode look daunting), but I think I’ve figured it out.

<cut>

It worked! How good am I? (I know, not quite as good as everyone else who has been using it for nearly 12 months).

;-) ;-) - if I can do it Matt, anyone can.  As with you, the mere words “BBCode” daunted me, and all that talk in the Feedback forum about scripts and such gave me a need to lie down!

Stride forth, BBCode master!
Ian. ;-)

Brother did you wink at me three times in that post or do you have a twitch in your eye?

Stride forth, BBCode master!

Indeed I shall. Onwards and upwards!

G’day Blessings Matt. you said,

Indeed I shall. Onwards and upwards!

I also hope and pray “OUTWARDS”

craig

BTW, I saw a man the other day pinching a gate, I thought about latching hold of him over it, but i thought he may take offence.!