Unlikely Heroes (2003)

“I know of no one else who did what he did. I can’t explain because he didn’t explain what it was that got him to continue to do it. He said that persons don’t behave in a courageous manner unless they have something irresponsible in their behavior pattern. What he called irresponsible, I call courageous.” – Israel Singer

Number of Times Seen – 1 (16 Mar 2020)

Brief Synopsis – Documentary about 7 extraordinary people who were each able to save thousands of lives due to their heroic actions during World War II.

My Take on it – This is a film that I heard about a few years ago and only now was able to find a copy to watch.

The stories told in this film are quite powerful and the fact that we know that these seven stories are just the very tip of the iceberg of tales makes things even more powerful to watch.

Each of these stories are incredible in their own sense and they each show in their own way the lengths certain people were willing to go despite the obvious dangers in order to help save as many others as they could just by the shear will of it.

This is by no means an easy movie to watch because despite the heroics of these people each of the tales are peppered with tragic circumstances throughout.

The way that these people chose to risk their lives in astounding and it’s quite moving to listen to the tings they all did in order to help as many fellow Jews as they could during these very difficult times.

Each of these stories is focused on a different person in a different country with a completely different background from the others and the fact that they each came to similar conclusions of what they needed to do is actually quite astounding especially given the great risk and potential cost of each of their actions.

This movie is incredibly poignant from start to finish and they allow us to get a full and clear idea of what these people needed to go through in order to achieve their goals.

The fact that none of them did these actions in order to be considered a hero is even more incredible because in truth, they all just wanted to feel human in such an inhumane world at that time.

Bottom Line – Amazing documentary that is just the tip of the iceberg. They tell seven incredible stories that show how much one person can do when they have the will to do so. This is not an easy film to watch because despite these stories being filled with hope, they are still peppered with tragedy throughout. The way that each of these people chose to risk their own lives in order to save others is astounding. The choice to tell such diverse stories is a great one because it shows how people from very different walks of life and backgrounds could come to similar conclusions as to what they needed to do for their fellow man (or woman) and just do it no matter the cost. Incredibly poignant throughout and allows us to get a full idea of what these people went through and despite that still did their best not because they wanted to be considered heroes, but rather still feel like human beings despite the inhumane conditions. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Of the 7 true stories told in this film, one of them is about the life of actor Robert Clary, best known for playing the role of LeBeau in the TV show Hogan’s Heroes (1965). (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10)