Triumph of the Spirit (1989)
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50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
53% of users liked it
(1,195 ratings)
Triumph of the Spirit is the true story of Salamo Arouch, a Greek-Jewish boxer imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. Arrested while attempting to help his family and friends escape the Nazi juggernaut, Arouch (Dafoe) is slated for extermination. He manages to survive--and to serve as an… More Triumph of the Spirit is the true story of Salamo Arouch, a Greek-Jewish boxer imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. Arrested while attempting to help his family and friends escape the Nazi juggernaut, Arouch (Dafoe) is slated for extermination. He manages to survive--and to serve as an inspiration for his fellow inmates--by literally boxing for his life. He does this at the orders of his SS captors, who gamble on the outcome of Arouch's bouts. With each victory, Arouch is rewarded with extra bread rations, which he passes on to his family. Counterpointing the main story is the seemingly foredoomed romantic relationship between Arouch and female inmate Allegra (Wendy Gazelle). An uplifting coda rounds out this grim factual account. Triumph of the Spirit was filmed on location at Auschwitz--the first film of its kind to be lensed in that infamous locale. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert M. Young, Costas Mandylor
- Written By
- Shimon Arama, Zion Haen
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2000 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
Triumph of the Spirit is more likely to make a viewer understand without really getting under the skin.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Willem Dafoe
as Salamo Arouch
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Edward James Olmos
as Gypsy
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Robert Loggia
as Father Arouch
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Wendy Gazelle
as Allegra
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Kelly Wolf
as Elena
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Costas Mandylor
as Avram Arouch
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Kario Salem
as Jacko Levy
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Edward Zentara
as Janush
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Hartmut Becker
as Maj. Rauscher
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Jerzy Gralek
as Kapo Kyr
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Burkhard Heyl
as Aide to Rauscher
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Avi Keidar
as Greek Prisoner
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Juranda Krol
as Sarah
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Grazyna Kruk-Schejbal
as Julie
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Jack Messinger
as Greek Prisoner
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Sofia Saretok
as Momma
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Danny Segev
as Greek Prisoner
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Tuvia Tavi
as Greek Prisoner
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Karolina Twardowska
as Benuta
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Teddy Atlas
as Silber
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Arthur Coburn
as Rabbi
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Lew Rywin
as Announcer
- Jan Bogdol
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Dorota Bialy-Wieczorek
as SS Woman
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Anna Chitro
as Naomi
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Halina Chrobak
as Clog Thief
- Marek Frackowiak
- Yossi Graber
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Michal Juszczakiewicz
as Sonderkammando
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Ewa Lesniak
as Kapo Hilda
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Andrzej Leszczynski
as Referee
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Wiktor Mlynarczyk
as Beppo
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Hanna Pater
as Prisoner Nurse
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Maria Probosz
as Rauscher's Girl Friend
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Sebastian Spandel
as Lud
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Ireneusz Tomczak
as Fratelli
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Andrzej Wojaczek
as Kapo Otto
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Stefania Zubrowna
as Dying Woman
