TRUTH & TREASON – A Review by John Strange
The new Angel Studios release, Truth & Treason, is based on the true story of the youngest person to be tried and executed by the Nazis for treason against the state.
When they began their protest against Hitler’s war, the boys involved were under the age where they would be considered adults. Led by Helmuth Hübener (Ewan Horrocks), the trio also included Karl-Heinz Schnibbe (Ferdinand McKay) and Rudi Wobbe (Daf Thomas). They typed up the original statement and ran off copies on a copier that none of you, my readers, are likely to have ever seen. These copies were distributed at night with the boys facing capture for curfew violations. That violation would be the least of their worries should they be caught.
The danger the boys faced was extreme. Hitler’s regime had a stranglehold on the liberty of all of Germany’s citizens, especially those of the Jewish faith. Their friend, Salomon Schwarz, was arrested for the crime of being a Jew. This was one of the events that encouraged Helmuth to begin his protest in the first place.
While this is a true story, it is not a happy story. The German government, led by Hitler’s Nazi regime, made an example of the boys once captured. Their trial was short, and the sentences are harsh by today’s standards.
Director Matt Whitaker, working with cinematographer Bianca Cline, has given us a film that allows us to feel the stress and fear that the citizens of Hamburg had to endure. After watching the movie, I had to go back and see if it was shot in color or black and white. It is in color with a feel that harkens back to the black and white films of the 40s and 50s, and perhaps Schindler’s List. It was a powerful example of the use of light and shadows.
Truth & Treason is an honest view of life in Hamburg, Germany, during the Second World War. It is a great film to watch with your teenagers. It will give you lots to talk about on your way home, and, honestly, for the next week or two.
Director: Matt Whitaker
Cast: Ewan Horrocks, Rupert Evans, Ferdinand McKay, Daf Thomas, Nye Occomore, Joanna Christie, Sean Mahon, Sylvie Varcoe, Ben Dilloway, Daniel Betts, Celinde Schoenmaker, Aaron Zicman
MPA Rating: PG-13 (for strong violent content, bloody images, thematic elements, and smoking)
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Runtime: 120 Min.
Release Date: 10/17/2025
Language: English
Genre(s): Drama, History, Thriller
Movie Site: TRUTH & TREASON Official Site
Trailer: TRUTH & TREASON Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.