Today’s quick review: Escape from Sobibor. During the Holocaust, a few hundred Jewish prisoners are put to work at Sobibor, a Nazi death camp where thousands of their brethren are being exterminated. Knowing that only death awaits them if they stay, Leon Feldhendler (Alan Arkin) works on a plan to free all of the prisoners. But to pull it off, he will need the help of Russian soldier Alexander “Sasha” Pechersky (Rutger Hauer) and his men.
Escape from Sobibor is a historical drama about the largest escape from a Nazi death camp in the history of World War II. Alan Arkin stars as Leon, a steadfast leader who looks for a way to guide hundreds of prisoners to freedom. Rutger Hauer plays opposite him as Sasha, a new prisoner who lends his military expertise to the endeavor. Their performances anchor a solidly constructed movie that succeeds on the back of its weighty subject matter.
Escape from Sobibor is a frank and unfiltered look at life inside a Nazi death camp. While the movie avoids anything too graphic, the inhumanity of the Jews’ treatment and the horror of the camp’s purpose are on full display. Even the minor incidents in the movie drive home how tenuous the prisoners’ survival is. The result is both moving drama in its own right and ample motivation for the escape attempt, a risky scheme where time is of the essence.
Escape from Sobibor will not be for everyone. The dark nature of its subject matter makes the film too heavy for viewers who are looking for escapism, while its grounded presentation style lacks the artistic and thematic flourishes that some fans of drama may be looking for. But those willing to endure the suffering on display will find Escape from Sobibor to be a remarkable story of human perseverance. Those interested should give it a watch.
For an even more gut-wrenching portrayal of the Holocaust, try Life is Beautiful or Schindler’s List. For a more adventurous escape attempt from a Nazi prison camp, try The Great Escape or Stalag 17.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for plain but effective drama.