“The Hidden Life” – a gripping and cinematically beautiful Catholic movie on the level of “The Passion of the Christ”

Words cannot describe this movie and words escape me. I would put this masterpiece on the level of Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ. The videography is gorgeous and plays a significant role in the story. The script is minimal but the facial expressions and images provide and deepen the gut-wrenching drama.

Based on true events, it is the story of a man living in the majestic Austrian mountains refuses to swear allegiance to Hitler due to his devout Catholic faith and his trust in God. His wife and three young daughters suffer the consequences of his decision, as does he.

The Austrian Franz Jägerstätter, a conscientious objector, refuses to fight for the Nazis in World War II.

The movie is three hours long but it is worth the investment of time since it draws you in and continually challenges the viewer about their own commitment to God and to truth. What really matters to us and what are we willing to silently suffer for our commitment to Christ and the truth.

Well, I wish to say more but will eave it at that. I don’t want to spoil the movie. But this is a cinematic masterpiece in my mind and Janet and I encourage every Catholic to watch this movie soon.

See IMDb reviews and trailers here. Has to be one of the BEST Catholic movies ever made!

“…for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric [unreported or known] acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”

? George Eliot, Middlemarch