Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.

The film is at its vaguest when dealing with his connection to the group who plotted to assassinate Hitler...Nonetheless, it’s a rousing tribute to one of Germany’s most admirable war heroes...

As a thriller, this is not really thrilling enough. And as a biopic, it’s not necessarily representative of the spirit of the man. But it’s solid enough film even if it’s not particularly trendy.

No, only when “Bonhoeffer” becomes an adventure does the film gain traction and become not just a celebration of conscience and courage but a thriller.

Dassler shrewdly portrays Bonhoeffer with carefully calibrated measures of zeal, sincerity, boldness and, on occasion, terror.

It’s a fascinating but sad story about sacrifice and staying true to your moral beliefs and faith, a potent message that we need to hear time and again.

Relevant, gripping and undeniably courageous, Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. succeeds in painting a respectful and nuanced portrait of a man whose convictions led him down a path of dangerous resistance.

...in choosing to portray [Bonhoeffer] above all as a saintly hero who has the disadvantage of speaking his lines in a second language, the message of what Bonhoeffer stood for has been diluted.

While the film feels a bit over-produced, it's also a riveting story that bristles with urgent themes.

This faith-based World War II biopic is deeply problematic and suffers from unsophisticated, sometimes unclear, filmmaking, but it has a strong central performance and a relevant, even necessary, message.

A plodding script, dullish leading actor and an approach to cinematography that is depressingly dark leave this film far short of its high potential.