Critic Reviews
-
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
The realization that we are, in many instances, listening in on actual proceedings gives the film an immediacy that no dramatist could hope to match.
-
Jessica Winter, Time Out
The film holds few surprises, though it builds a remarkable level of suspense during the fait-accompli interrogation scenes, and is a well-intended commemoration of a courageous young woman.
-
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
There's a resonance to Sophie Scholl that crosses borders and approaches the timeless.
-
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
Through it all, Jentsch is a beacon of bravery and resolve in the darkness of a totalitarian machine. If any actor in an English-language film has given a better performance in the past year, I'd like to see it.
-
Tom Long, Detroit News
A disturbing film about courage, idealism, youth and the grim mechanics of mankind gone mad.
-
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Frank and frightening.
-
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
A very tense study of the last days of Nazism, and a worthy homage to a true heroine...
-
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
A claustrophobic bio-pic which telescopes tightly on the torture of the fearless activist till her demise after less than a week in the hands of Hitler's sadistic interrogators.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film has an immeasurable fascination that makes us look on as voyeurs and wonder how we might have reacted during such desperate times.
-
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International
Although Sophie Scholl is noteworthy for its performances, it will undoubtedly fail to capture the popular imagination here.
-
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
Compelling in its depiction of quiet heroism, this testament to the power of passive resistance is made all the more authentic and poignant by the superbly controlled performance of Julia Jentsch.
-
Stuart Klawans, The Nation
Jentsch keep[s] up a subtle, restrained performance while the movie Nazis around her are screaming themselves red in the face. She succeeds beyond all expectation.
-
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
full review in Greek
-
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
The subject matter apart, the film is a meticulously crafted drama, observing and recording the events, setting mood and creating a sense of time and place that further deepen our involvement.
-
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
While Scholl's virtuous life makes her eminently worthy of her own biopic, it doesn't necessarily make her the most interesting subject for a movie.
-
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
There's no moment of release, no instant of sudden redemption in this powerful, moving, and altogether devastating film.
-
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Though Scholl's inquisition and trial are harrowing, there's too little sense of what sort of person Scholl was. We can only grasp at air and guess what it was inside her that drove her to forsake her life in favor of a higher purpose.
-
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
The film has a serious, urgent tone, but not a preachy or strident one.
-
Mary-Liz Shaw, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The narrative is tight and compelling, claustrophobic in scope, with acting performances that chill in their understated anxiety and courage.
-
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
I found this Oscar-nominated film overlong and ultimately disappointing.
Read all 22 critic reviews
Featured Audience Ratings
-
Germans who stood up for Jews...
Sounds too poetic?
No, it 's nothing but truly heroic!
-
Sophie Scholl The Final Days is of accurate history of the brave last days of Sophie Scholl, who at 21, was accused guilty of high treason by distributing anti-Nazi paraphernalia at the University of Munich with his brother, Hans Scholl. Frank and compelling. A tribute to bravery and… More
Sophie Scholl The Final Days is of accurate history of the brave last days of Sophie Scholl, who at 21, was accused guilty of high treason by distributing anti-Nazi paraphernalia at the University of Munich with his brother, Hans Scholl. Frank and compelling. A tribute to bravery and heroism. Significant.
-
There are some great films based on The White Rose movement but I think it important to remember that this film is based purely on the manuscripts found from Sophie Scholl's interrogation. It is a near as possible reenactment of her last days, her actions and her words. It seems… More
There are some great films based on The White Rose movement but I think it important to remember that this film is based purely on the manuscripts found from Sophie Scholl's interrogation. It is a near as possible reenactment of her last days, her actions and her words. It seems an awful shame that this doesn't seem to be of interest to most reviewers who it would appear would rather see a explosion-full Nazi killing adventure based on little fact (but why should the truth get in the way of a good war film eh?). The story has been respected as have the people and indeed history. A brilliant story, directed beautifully and with strong performances by Mohr and particularly by Jentsch who's praise is rightfully deserved.
-
Yet another really great true story about Nazi Germany. It's really amazing what this girl went through. Terribly sad ending, but it's what really happened. I am glad they made this movie so the world never forgets what happened during that awful time.
-
-
The more I see of Hitler's tactics the more I appreciate the talents of Albert Pierrepoint. The Nazis had a penchant for exterminating Germany's best and brightest, Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans were unfortunately no exceptions. There should be a special place in… More
The more I see of Hitler's tactics the more I appreciate the talents of Albert Pierrepoint. The Nazis had a penchant for exterminating Germany's best and brightest, Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans were unfortunately no exceptions. There should be a special place in heaven for those who are willing to sacrifice everything for something as intangible as an idea.
-
A powerfully moving minimalist experience. It explores the conflict of ideals in a tension-filled, authentic manner.
-
A gripping drama detailing the arrest, interrogation, trial and execution of anti-Nazi pamphleteer Sophie Scholl and two other White Rose members in Munich. Julia Jentsch portrays Scholl with hypnotic dignity, and it is her remarkable yet unshowy performance which carries the film.
-
A very intense look at a dark chapter in history, and a few young people who tried to resist the Nazi government. The movie strictly and chronologically follows Sophie Scholl and her way through the instances of Nazi justice. Of course the film mostly consists of dialogues, but… More
A very intense look at a dark chapter in history, and a few young people who tried to resist the Nazi government. The movie strictly and chronologically follows Sophie Scholl and her way through the instances of Nazi justice. Of course the film mostly consists of dialogues, but especially those between Sophie and her interrogator are extremely well acted and gripping. Of course this isn't exactly a feel-good movie but a very well made and important history lesson none the less.
-
A powerful drama, based on true events, of a young woman accused of fomenting dissent in Nazi Germany during the war. It is easy to draw parallels between then and now, but the lesson has to be that only those who know in their hearts that they are wrong need fear the truth. Sophie… More
A powerful drama, based on true events, of a young woman accused of fomenting dissent in Nazi Germany during the war. It is easy to draw parallels between then and now, but the lesson has to be that only those who know in their hearts that they are wrong need fear the truth. Sophie Scholl (Julia Jentsch) is the young woman who confronts her interrogator with the morality that underpins and supercedes the law. Her defense consists not in denying her actions, but in the moral justification for those actions. The verdict and sentence are not in doubt, but the cruelty with which the trial is conducted and the swiftness with which the sentence is carried out reveal a regime that knows its days are numbered and that it has gambled and lost. This viewer found it quite interesting that there was a student resistance movement that existed in the belly of the beast that was Nazi Germany. Sophie's legacy is to inspire all who love freedom and abhor injustice to stand up in the face of tyranny, no matter the consequence.
-
What a heartbreaking film. I kept waiting for justice to be served, but what else can one expect from the Nazis besides hatred and cruelty? Sophie and the White Rose were heroes. God bless those who stand up for what is right and are not afraid of the consequences.
-
A good film about the Anti-Nazi group The White Rose. The film mainly focuses on Sophie Scholl and her involvement. The whole cast is great,but the interrogation scenes between Julia Jentsch and Gerald Held are very powerful. The film is based on true events and the screenplay stays… More
A good film about the Anti-Nazi group The White Rose. The film mainly focuses on Sophie Scholl and her involvement. The whole cast is great,but the interrogation scenes between Julia Jentsch and Gerald Held are very powerful. The film is based on true events and the screenplay stays close with the truth. It's good that the film focuses on Sophie, but the other characters are so interesting that I wanted more. But to do that you would have to add another half hour or so and it would have been too long. The DVD has some real footage of the trial and interviews with people involved that really add to the story and are worth a watch. If you like Nazi films then you will enjoy this one.
-
Good movie detailing the courage of Sophie Scholl of the Anti-Nazi White Rose Movement. The interrogation and court scenes are well done, very suspenseful and intense. May not appeal to anyone who doesn't have a real interest in the history of the time, as the dialogue is quite… More
Good movie detailing the courage of Sophie Scholl of the Anti-Nazi White Rose Movement. The interrogation and court scenes are well done, very suspenseful and intense. May not appeal to anyone who doesn't have a real interest in the history of the time, as the dialogue is quite heavy and politically based at times.
-
Unfortunately this film as such is not as good as it could be, considering the subject matter. Julia Jentsch gives a fantastic performance, though, she really makes this recommendable for people interested in German cinema/history. This could have been much better, but I am… More
Unfortunately this film as such is not as good as it could be, considering the subject matter. Julia Jentsch gives a fantastic performance, though, she really makes this recommendable for people interested in German cinema/history. This could have been much better, but I am nevertheless excited that it is nominated for an oscar - it won't win, of that I am sure, much better films in the competition.
Read all 14 featured audience ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
