"Assassinate... murder implies he had a life worth living" - Josef.
The summer blockbuster season is over, and so the cinemas are no longer full of special effects and action packed fantasies. On a comedown from the melee of superhero smackdowns, September is usually considered a "dead" month for cinema. Anthropoid, however, is a clear standout in this month's offerings for both its premise and cast, featuring Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan as two Czechoslovakian soldiers. Their mission: to assassinate SS General Reinhard Heydrich in the midst of the Nazi's rule on their country.
The first half of the film is all character development, with us introduced to Josef (Murphy) and Jan (Dornan) as they make their way to Prague to meet with the resistance. Acting as civilians, we see them go through the struggles of maintaining a low-profile, with Jan's emotions getting the better of him in various situations. This is made all the worse when he and Josef hide out with the Moravec family, allies of the resistance. Jan quickly becomes attached to Marie (Charlotte Le Bon) and, despite his initial concerns towards Jan's actions, Josef slowly forms feelings for Anna's friend Lenka (Anna Geislerova). Now also concerned with the safety of the women they love, Josef and Jan must carry out their assassination sooner then expected, with Heydrich expected to be transferred. From this point on, the film's tension builds to an emotionally draining final confrontation between the remaining resistance fighters and the Nazis, in what is surely one of the best shootouts committed to film.
Continuing his excellent run of work in 2016, and the film's standout performer, is Cillian Murphy. After an incredible third season of hit drama Peaky Blinders, Murphy abandons the cold exterior of gangster Tommy Shelby and brings warmth to his portrayal of Josef. He lights up the screen throughout, even when he has no dialogue. A particularly poignant moment is when Jan tells the family and Josef that Marie has agreed to marry him, and Murphy is able to capture the happiness he feels for his friend as well as his concern for him not being focused on the mission in a single look. A masterclass in subtlety. Jamie Dornan is also believable in his role as the slightly unhinged Jan, easily breaking away from his best known role as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey series. As events unfold, Murphy and Dornan's chemistry grows as we explore how Jan slowly becomes more like Josef. Instead of panicking at the thought of death like in an earlier scene, Jan uses the calming techniques Josef taught him to help other members of the resistance during the final battle. This continues the emotional investment the audience feels in a very effective way, as we learn that the mission would be nothing without the loyalty and compassion of the two soldiers.
Of course, the climatic shootout between the resistance and the Nazis has to be mentioned, as it is one of the most gripping sequences of violence in recent memory. Instead of going for the jugular and focusing on cathartic, gory violence, Anthropoid keeps the blood to a minimum, instead focusing on the distress of the resistance fighters and the sheer number of Nazis that are coming for them. There's no fancy editing or over-the-top music, just the prominent sound of gunfire and agonising screams. It really drives home the horror of such acts, and builds to a profound ending where the Nazis attempt to drown the remaining fighters. With seemingly no escape, the sound completely cuts out, and we are forced to experience the desperate struggle with our eyes only. After this sequence, you could hear a pin drop in the screening I was in, and it's something I've continued to think about ever since.
There are other sequences of violence in the film, some of which are very distressing. The Nazi's torture of a young man is shown in some detail, and is made all the more disturbing by the fact that the scene was filmed in a real Nazi torture chamber. Thankfully, the film does not linger too much on these sequences, as the focus is on Josef and Jan. I feel it is important to show these scenes, as the film does not want to shy away from the horrible acts human beings can commit when they believe they are in the right. However, it is still a tough watch and not recommended for any viewer easily disturbed by violence in cinema.
One minor complaint would be the romance. Don't get me wrong, it isn't portrayed badly, but I just don't feel the focus it gets adds a great deal more drama to a film with an already powerful premise. Certainly not on Josef's side of things, as he is shown to keep Jan on the straight and narrow when he becomes serious with Marie. It seems a little odd that a man with complete focus on the mission would all of a sudden become as dedicated as Jan to romance. Whilst it doesn't necessarily take away any of the film's tension, it didn't add a great deal of weight to it either. I'm not aware as to how big a part Josef's relationship with Lenka effected his actions in real life, but in this film's portrayal it doesn't really come to much.
Similarly thought-provoking as 2002's The Pianist, Anthropoid is a powerful piece of cinema. Boasting excellent performances, particularly that of Cillian Murphy, it's portrayal of a significant moment in the history of the Second World War is an intense and emotional ride. Leading up to one of the best climaxes in terms of tension, cinematography and adrenaline, it is best experienced on the big screen. From beginning to end, it keeps you glued to the screen, and will have you thinking about what you have just witnessed for many days afterwards. If you can handle the disturbing violence, make sure you head down to your local cinema and support well acted, written and directed works of art such as Anthropoid. You won't be disappointed.
Continuing his excellent run of work in 2016, and the film's standout performer, is Cillian Murphy. After an incredible third season of hit drama Peaky Blinders, Murphy abandons the cold exterior of gangster Tommy Shelby and brings warmth to his portrayal of Josef. He lights up the screen throughout, even when he has no dialogue. A particularly poignant moment is when Jan tells the family and Josef that Marie has agreed to marry him, and Murphy is able to capture the happiness he feels for his friend as well as his concern for him not being focused on the mission in a single look. A masterclass in subtlety. Jamie Dornan is also believable in his role as the slightly unhinged Jan, easily breaking away from his best known role as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey series. As events unfold, Murphy and Dornan's chemistry grows as we explore how Jan slowly becomes more like Josef. Instead of panicking at the thought of death like in an earlier scene, Jan uses the calming techniques Josef taught him to help other members of the resistance during the final battle. This continues the emotional investment the audience feels in a very effective way, as we learn that the mission would be nothing without the loyalty and compassion of the two soldiers.
Of course, the climatic shootout between the resistance and the Nazis has to be mentioned, as it is one of the most gripping sequences of violence in recent memory. Instead of going for the jugular and focusing on cathartic, gory violence, Anthropoid keeps the blood to a minimum, instead focusing on the distress of the resistance fighters and the sheer number of Nazis that are coming for them. There's no fancy editing or over-the-top music, just the prominent sound of gunfire and agonising screams. It really drives home the horror of such acts, and builds to a profound ending where the Nazis attempt to drown the remaining fighters. With seemingly no escape, the sound completely cuts out, and we are forced to experience the desperate struggle with our eyes only. After this sequence, you could hear a pin drop in the screening I was in, and it's something I've continued to think about ever since.
There are other sequences of violence in the film, some of which are very distressing. The Nazi's torture of a young man is shown in some detail, and is made all the more disturbing by the fact that the scene was filmed in a real Nazi torture chamber. Thankfully, the film does not linger too much on these sequences, as the focus is on Josef and Jan. I feel it is important to show these scenes, as the film does not want to shy away from the horrible acts human beings can commit when they believe they are in the right. However, it is still a tough watch and not recommended for any viewer easily disturbed by violence in cinema.
One minor complaint would be the romance. Don't get me wrong, it isn't portrayed badly, but I just don't feel the focus it gets adds a great deal more drama to a film with an already powerful premise. Certainly not on Josef's side of things, as he is shown to keep Jan on the straight and narrow when he becomes serious with Marie. It seems a little odd that a man with complete focus on the mission would all of a sudden become as dedicated as Jan to romance. Whilst it doesn't necessarily take away any of the film's tension, it didn't add a great deal of weight to it either. I'm not aware as to how big a part Josef's relationship with Lenka effected his actions in real life, but in this film's portrayal it doesn't really come to much.
Similarly thought-provoking as 2002's The Pianist, Anthropoid is a powerful piece of cinema. Boasting excellent performances, particularly that of Cillian Murphy, it's portrayal of a significant moment in the history of the Second World War is an intense and emotional ride. Leading up to one of the best climaxes in terms of tension, cinematography and adrenaline, it is best experienced on the big screen. From beginning to end, it keeps you glued to the screen, and will have you thinking about what you have just witnessed for many days afterwards. If you can handle the disturbing violence, make sure you head down to your local cinema and support well acted, written and directed works of art such as Anthropoid. You won't be disappointed.
