Chosen (II) (2016) User Reviews

nothing here

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 23 October 2017]

In modern times, an old man (Harvey Keitel) tells a young boy about his life during the war. It's 1943 Hungary. Sonson (Luke Mably) suffers as forced labor for the Nazis. They are hounded by the Hungarian police as the Nazis and their collaborators deport the Jews. Sonson joins a rebellion against the occupiers.

There is a scattered narrative flow with nothing new going on in this movie. It's a mistake to show Sonson as an old man which guarantees his survival through the entire ordeal. Mably doesn't have the greatest charisma and the movie doesn't give his character much substance. No other character has any substance at all. This has no tension despite the movie trying to ramp up the melodrama with the music cues at the wrong times. At most other times, this is quietly dull without the needed tension. It's also not the highest of production value. The directing is weak. It's functional at best but not much more.

Editor, where ar you

[nickboldrini · 6/10 · 11 August 2018]

If youve read more than one of my review, you'll realise that they're not meant to be film critic standard. This ones not different. This isn't a bad film, but it is stretched, taking a story which is interesting, and over playing it. That said its worth a watch, as the story, whilst not entirely original, is apparently true, and reasonably well told. It could just have done with some more editing to lose about half an hour or so.

Loose production and scripts

[sandino_owen · 5/10 · 21 September 2019]

Bad actors, bad costume production, bad effects, bad script development, bad historical research. It is entertaining but very unfit

Great if you like a fairy tale but historically it's insulting

[t-dooley-69-386916 · 1/10 · 10 June 2017]

The 'plot' of the film is that a young boy asks his grandpops, played by Harvey Ketiel, who his hero is. Mr Keitel then goes into the past and his experiences in Hungary during World War II. This is some guy called Sonson. So we are transported back to the era and so the story begins. Sonson loses his wife and then must find his sister in law who has been transported to Poland by the brutish gendarmerie of the Hungarian police.

I can't say any more in case I give too much of the plot away so PLOT SPOILERS next****

The acting is woeful in places but I can forgive that but it is the historical errors that I found insulting so I shall list some in no particular order.

• The resistance travel about occupied Poland with no ID cards and the Germans never even ask for Sonson's at a checkpoint to the Warsaw Ghetto for his – oh and he's carrying a stolen Ss uniform too. • A virtual platoon of SS uniforms left in the open for Sonsosn and co to use and of course they all fit the resisters. • I spotted AK 47's – there is a clue as to when they were invented in the name (ie the 47 bit) and this is supposed to be 1943 to 1944. • The Germans speak in English until they get upset and then it's all 'Mein Gott in Himmel' etc. • The Ghetto is in the middle of nowhere not the centre of Warsaw. • The final battle is in a farmyard. • The BBC World service seems to be fixated on the movement of Jewish convoys – really!! • Sonson blows a bag of grenades up on a tank track and is not injured some 5 foot from the blast. • The Russias actually turn up to save the uprising like the bleedin 7th Cavalry– that got me angry when that happened. • Then the Red Army decorate the Poles and Jews. Now the mistakes here would be laughable if it were not so insulting to those people who fought and suffered and were let down by the Russians and the rest of Poland who did not join them – oh they do here in case you were wondering. Any of the good points to this dross like cinematography or SFX are missed in a miasma of made up guff and mawkish sentimentality that had me gagging. The makers should be ashamed of themselves and there have been complaints too about the portrayal of the Hungarian Gendarmerie so quite a few own goals. I have seen better accuracy and honest representation of facts in a Donald Trump interview – avoid like a self immolation contest.

Not the worst

[glorfindal-67169 · 6/10 · 18 September 2021]

Nicely shot and well acted, however it didn't always flow and lacked depth.

It felt like a big story was compressed into a series of convenient and simple events.

Having said that, it was still worth a watch - just don't expect an epic.

Don't waste your time

[chrissc-33656 · 1/10 · 13 August 2017]

This will contain spoilers

I have never written a review on here before but this film seriously prompted me to do so

Whilst I wouldn't claim I am a historian, I am fascinated by the world wars and surrounding time periods. And so even I can tell when there are errors like ak47s in at least one shot and other weapons that were not factually correct as well, also there were no id checks anywhere and he could somehow just walk up to a high ranking German soldier and give him a made up name with basically no proof and he would listen to his commands without question. also who could miss the fantastic acting? Switching from accents and languages but in reality just speaking in an American accent was painful. I don't know what they were thinking when in the middle of sentences the "actor" would switch from a frankly pathetic German accent to screaming very basic German, and the Hungarians that spoke with American accents or quite racist/comedic sounding portrayals of there chosen accent, the scene where he is trying to speak in a German accent In front of the mirror was just terrible. That added nothing to the film other than some awkwardness and wack acting where it looked as it'd he was trying not to laugh

The continuity errors were huge. Scenes where people are holding one weapon that miraculously swaps and swaps back again was impressive they must have been working on some kinda magical shape changing guns.

Also the fight scene was terrible. By 2016 when this film was made surely someone must have realised that watching someone hip firing a bolt action rifle without pulling the bolt and getting perfect heart shots is bull. And as mentioned in another review surviving basically uninjured when a bag full of multiple grenades exploded about 30cm from his head. And the stunning performance of injured or dead soldiers having time to be shot stop running grab the area then comically fall clutching there chest. i could go on and on about the fight scene alone but I shall leave it Safe to say I recommend you don't waste your time

An insult to history

[mickharry · 1/10 · 22 August 2017]

This film is a disgrace! The struggles of the people of Hungary in World War 2 are reduced to a cheap soap opera. "An unassuming young lawyer leads a fight against the Nazis near the end of the Second World War". This is the blurb. He's so unassuming that he is in a forced labour gang smashing rocks. Of course, he demonstrates his prowess by smashing rocks till the sun sets. What a hero!? If it is forced labour surely you don't show off. How hot shot lawyer ends up on a forced labour gang is not explained. He has refused to join the Resistance until his wife dies as a result of medical treatment being denied Jews. The resistance call on him. Which is great because he is really good acting as an SS officer in easy-to-acquire Nazi uniforms. His officer rehearsals before a mirror while the film cuts to female prisoners being abused is one of the most cringe inducing things I have ever seen on screen. I can't tell you the end. Seen on Netflix. Switched off with half an hour to go.

An action film with no regard for historical truth or plausibility

[pepebunny · 1/10 · 17 September 2016]

First, to correct something that a couple of reviewers have said: this film is supposedly about Hungarian, not Bulgarian, Jews.

Anyone who knows anything about the history of Hungary before and during World War II will consider this movie to be a travesty. Its depiction of how local and German officials behaved is ludicrous, and it is thoroughly inaccurate in its history. Whoever wrote this--and it would be nice to find at least information about Gabriel de Mercur--either knew nothing about that history or didn't care, preferring instead to produce an implausible action movie. And it is most definitely implausible, with one plot hole (as others have mentioned) after another. After a while, a viewer with any common sense will start greeting scenes with eye-rolls. I kept thinking, "Seriously??" The framing story is as predictable as the rest of the film is unbelievable. There's a real story to be told about Hungary during the war, but this isn't anywhere close to being that story.

Beware of inadequate low ratings of the movie! You are risking to miss a masterpiece!

[alexandrovn · 8/10 · 1 April 2019]

A great war drama! Based on a true story! Brilliant performance of Harvey Keitel the other actors. Amongst many other things the movie contains two very important messages:

1. "It could happen again! "

2. "An ordinary man could be a hero and achieve impossible things in unusual circumstances"

I would strongly recommend it!

Trash

[zoltanog · 1/10 · 3 October 2016]

It is interesting to read fairy tails but not when they are presented as historical facts. I am the central director for the Hungarian Gendarmerie (Csendor) Veterans Organization and I am appalled by this film. The film's negative stereotype depiction of the csendors goes even beyond the distorted propaganda films of the communist era. The film shows a total disregard for the truth. If csendors were to have behaved as was shown in the film, they would not only have been discharged from the gendarmerie but would have been imprisoned. The depiction of the csendors in every respect is incorrect. It is clear that Mr.DeMercur has no knowledge of the functioning of the csendors yet he has the gall to write such tripe as Chosen. It is offensive and an insult to Hungary, Hungarians, and the historical truth.

Heroism disrespected.

[stephen_dines-79394 · 3/10 · 4 March 2017]

Can't remember the last time a movie left me feeling so angry. Here we had a tale of heroism during WW2, a story which deserved to be told. What we got was a rushed, ill thought out, poorly acted, badly directed mess. Let's start with the obvious; the action is set in Hungary and Poland and yet the whole thing is done in English. This lost all authenticity at the first sign of US/UK accents. Then, when impersonating a German Officer the main character loses his British accent and launches into a "Ve have vays ov making you talk" German accent. Ludicrous. Another thing, one moment we are told he is a quiet guy who keeps to himself, next minute the resistance are in his home asking for his help, then suddenly he's there in full German regalia. Where did that come from then? No explanation. The Hungarian soldiers are then treated like some kind of keystone cop characters when they had the female prisoners. Unbelievable. The actors conveyed no sense of danger or desperation or anger or determination throughout. The whole thing seemed rushed and condensed to the point where it made no sense. This could have been good and indeed should have been good. It isn't, it's woeful. Heroism disrespected.

Just So-So

[gbkimberley · 5/10 · 1 April 2022]

A fairly low budget production and it shows. Too many scenes shot in the same location. Too little lighting; most scenes are way too dark, and too much loud music. Probably laid over the top to increase the atmosphere, but it's at the cost of being able to hear and understand the dialogue.

There's also too much background noise playing on a loop. I.e. The sound of troops marching. And once you've noticed it, you can't stop noticing it.

All I can say is; thank goodness for fast forward.

Extremely poorly paced.

[iantrader · 2/10 · 19 May 2018]

Yes, it might split opinion, but I'd advise you to err with the knowledge that IMDB ratings usually are on the high side.

Don't be swayed by complaints of negativity reviews on political grounds. It's a movie for god's sake and a slow, plodding one at that. Yes, it's a 'worthy' topic and, at times, a harrowing tale but let's portray it as a movie and not play out events in real time.

Presumably in an attempt to add import and gravitas, Harvey Keitel's delivery is often painfully slow. Which makes those parts of the movie painfully slow. We're actually talking about pace here. It's fine for a movie to be 'slow' if it holds the viewer and drags you long with the scene. This one doesn't.

And although the movie's concept is full of potential, it makes the entire movie interminably, painfully slow! A fault which can only be laid squarely at the door of the director. Thank god he didn't write the screenplay, too, otherwise we'd still be watching it!

There are moments of tension and action but they don't make up for the other sections. It's very unevenly paced.

There's a 'reveal' at the end but if you haven't caught onto it in the first 5 minutes you've probably been asleep. Lucky you.

Otherwise you may be tempted to walk out or switch off after a gruelling 30 mins of boredom. It would be nice to say, don't, it's worth the wait but that wouldn't be true. Hang around if you'r a major war story aficionado otherwise don't bother watching in the first place.

Very poorly acted and directed

[johan-217 · 2/10 · 17 September 2019]

The parts with the old man and the grand son is fine but the story is very badly executed.

Magnificent filmmaking...

[matthias-38478 · 10/10 · 22 September 2016]

I went to see this film at the 23rd Oldenburg film festival last week with a slight apprehension, but after the screening and Q&A session with the director and producer I came out feeling satisfied.

I am German and I could also ramble on about yet another Second World War movie in which Germans are portrayed negatively but I have to be honest towards the filmmakers who did an amazing job on what looks like a limited budget. This is truly top class filmmaking on all levels: camera, direction, performances, music, production, etc. As IMDb is a filmmaking site and we are here review and judge filmmaking rather than the quality of historical interpretation, this film deserves ten stars, without any doubt!

I saw the previous film "Beautiful People" by this (oddly) quite unknown film director, which reminded me of Alejandro Inarritu's debut film "Amores Peros" and I was curious to see his next film. Strangely enough, the independent low budget "Chosen" reminded me of the latest Innarritu "The Revenant", depicting the same kind of deeply wounded and enraged protagonist who after losing his wife and unborn child due to prejudices against the Jews, is prepared to go to any length to avenge them.

Stunning direction throughout the film and particularly in the last half an hour when the film reaches its climax. Here we have more than just a ferocious depiction of the senselessness of the war ironically and symbolically depicted in that shocking scene when two soldiers in Nazi uniforms greet each other in a very friendly way then suddenly one of them shoots the other in call blood. The chaos of the war is where you can be shot dead by what may appear as a the friend from your own side.

Bullets shooting, whizzing and ricocheting from everywhere, fire launchers, tanks firing and exploding, bodies strewn over the battle field, then as the momentum grows towards explosive finale which any other lesser filmmaker would go for, here Jasmin Dizdar suddenly opts for a complete contrast of what is expected and goes for an intimate look at war with a sensual slow-motion pace against highly the aggressive battle montage, where we are suddenly placed inside the main hero's demented head and we experience his self-torture.

After the screening the director Jasmin Dizdar gave us some insights into how he made the film. He said he was not interested in making a docudrama reportage film, to reconstructs historical facts which is more of documentary filmmakers and historians domain, not a fiction feature filmmakers. He was intrigued by the subtle fairy-tale element and that the 95 year-old Papi (played by Harvey Keitel) narrates the story to his 13 years old great-grandchild who is to have his Bar Mitzvah next week. Logically, such child would never be able to grasp the complexity of the Eastern European history. The only way to make it understandable is by simplifying and adding a fairy tale element to the story. The main character Sonson, is inspired by a real historical character, just like certain episodes in the movie were. However, "historical reality" (always presented differently by each different side or nation) had to be elevated and in some parts made to look akin to an action thriller which would enable 21st century the (mainly) English speaking audiences who knows nothing about the Eastern European Jewish resistance to relate easier.

The director stated that their intention was not to dismiss history but instead to use certain historical characters, like David Grosz (the inspiration for Sonsons character), as inspiration to create a fictional character and story that even a 13 years old child would be able to understand. After watching this film people will go to Wikipedia or other history websites and read about David Grosz and other Hungarian resistance fighters who forged Nazis documents and dressed in Nazi uniforms in order to save thousand of innocent lives.

The director said during the Q&A that he too was against this idea of the Eastern Europeans and Germans speaking English and ideally wanted each character to speak in their native language (Hungarian, Russian, Polish or German) after which the producer explained that the US production and distribution criteria requested that all actors from a very large international cast to speak only in English. This meant that a lot of accuracy's in terms of historical and cultural aspects of the story had to be compromised. He also said that the film would be arriving to cinemas this autumn in USA, UK, France and Germany. You'll love it just as we loved it last week, I would highly suggest the cinema experience. The music is just beautiful. It's definitely a film I would recommend to everyone with an open mind. A 10 out of 10 film.

Brilliant! A good movie which is very underrated.

[subbass-sahil · 10/10 · 25 July 2017]

**Don't believe the ratings at all,this is a great resistance movie**

The bad ratings are a result of hatred from a certain community or people who have different views about the historical facts.

Let me start by saying this that if you're crazy about watching war movies and period movies you should definitely go for this and if you're still skeptical about it then don't take just my word for it and watch the trailer for yourself.

The acting of Mr. Luke Mably is very powerful,magnificent and absolutely stunning in this war drama. The way Mr. Luke Mably acts and portrays his role in this movie is such that you'll jump from your seat at times and will always leave you wondering and excited of what's going to happen next.

This movie deserves much more ratings and views and deserves to be in the list of all good war era movies ever made. I would highly recommend you to watch this and make up your own mind of how you want to rate it instead of believing the unacceptable ratings that has been given to it by people.

****Highly Recommended****

More relevant today than ever before...

[eliotj-98399 · 10/10 · 13 February 2017]

I saw this movie with my girlfriend in LA and we both thought it was a cool WW2 movie, beautifully shot and skilfully directed with a large ensemble of actors who all delivered convincing performances. We felt deeply moved by its human story of true love in times of war and it just strikes the perfect balance between our main character's inner turmoil of emotions, against the mercilessly brutal outer world. I haven't heard of this director, but he did some great work with the performances, the action scenes and with the sound. The music in particular is just heart breaking. Do not miss the chance to see this movie on the big screen! It's more relevant today then ever before!

Capable

[michaelrthomson · 8/10 · 8 August 2016]

I would say this film was a cautionary tale, in more ways than one.

A story told by way of narrative in the present day, to a child wanting to hear about grandpa's stories of the past is more than ably delivered by Harvey. Through his narrative we are told the story of Sonson, his wife and sister-in-law, all Jews living in Bulgaria towards the end of WWII. For some less than clear reason the story references that he is a lawyer, though this comes to nothing (in my view) through the movie. It tells the story of a small group of underground Jews and their struggles after the lead characters wife dies (due to Cancer whilst pregnant, though the latter seems to go unmentioned other than a line about eating for two)...

Anyways I digress, the film tells the story eloquently enough, there is minimal then/now flashbacks that can so often be an annoyance, with Luke Mably very competently leading the cast. He embarks on a journey after the death of his wife to locate his sister-in-law who has been shipped off in one of the notorious 'trains' bound for Poland - she however is no withering Jewess doomed to her fate, no way, she (played very well indeed by Ana Ularu) escapes the train and disappears back into the underground network. The narrative tells us that Sonson has walked a great distance in a short number of days and eventually (after a few Germans are shot or otherwise dispatched) meets up with another group of underground Jewish fighters.

What ensures is a small band of fighters seemingly taking on a never ending stream of Germans armed with machined guns, grenades and a couple of well equipped tanks. After the smoke clears the Jews win the fight and out of the smoke comes not just a reprieve but the missing sister-in- law, hugs ensue.

It may not sound much, and yep there are holes in the story throughout, but the cast are entirely wonderful, and tell the story in a compelling way despite the plot/script holes. Much applause much go to the leads, Luke and Ana who were simply brilliant, and a degree of applause to Harvey who did his job well also.

This story has been told before, and perhaps told better through script, cinematography and directing, but I have less often seen it acted so well. I have not seen much of Luke in recent years despite his obvious ability, and Ana is new discovery who I hope to see more of in film.

This is not at all the best war story ever told, nor the best narrative of the oppressed overcoming their evil oppressors, but it is a story well acted and generally delivered, and I imagine if you find this film and spare the time to watch it you might also enjoy the many good parts if brings to the table.

Courageous war film that speaks volumes

[newright-95844 · 10/10 · 8 October 2016]

I am a historian and I specialize on WW1 and WW2 movies. Being also of Hungarian origin, I watched this film with great curiosity. All characters appear designed to be universal archetypes rather than quintessentially Hungarian played by English speaking actors only. Clearly, the film had no intention of presenting accurate historic fact because it is entirely English speaking fiction. You don't watch dramatically accomplished films like this one to search for accurate historical answers. Everyone knows that Hungary was a Nazi puppet state during the dying days of WW2 and there is no hiding place nor escape from that fact. Nazis were retreating toward Berlin, every single institution and organization was in a state of chaos. There were no moral or ethical standards and in that chaotic situation all sides committed war crimes – pro Nazi Hungarian militia eagerly helped Nazis to transport local Jews to the camps, whilst Russians killed and raped anything that moved etc. And as the old world order was collapsing around (as seen in brilliant film "Downfall") everyone was trying to enjoy the pleasures to the maximum and couldn't care less for the laws and orders knowing that tomorrow will be most likely dead. Another historical fact which the writer of the film has cleverly utilized is the fact that the Hungarian Jewish resistance used this chaos as an advantage, successfully forging documents and uniforms and that way saving thousands of innocent lives which would have otherwise perished in the camps. Hungarian Jews are also Hungarian heroes and no matter how some tried to ignore this; Chosen openly states that in the face of prejudice. It's clear why some don't want us to see this film, but for me, their die-hard nationalistic beliefs serve as incentive to see it. It should be everyone's moral and ethical duty to see Chosen and that way show them that this world does not belong to them. It belongs to us as well. The writer and filmmakers' determination to speak so courageously about these hidden taboos that many try to conceal, is admirable. This is a film that celebrates love and justice, and righteously condemns prejudice. 10/10.

Absolutely marvellous film. Beware of negative reviews from Csendor sympathisers

[alexanderdemercur · 10/10 · 2 May 2017]

My wife and I found this film to be absolutely extraordinary. This film has an amazing plot and was excellently produced. We also noticed that people whose family members committed atrocities during World War Two have been trying very hard to demolish the quality of this film in their reviews. People should be aware of the crimes of the Hungarian Csendors before the outbreak of WW2. People should witness the history. In Novi Sat, Subotica, Vojvodina, among other places, the Csendor massacred a great number of Serbs, Communists and Jews, with Hitler's backing. The Csendor were an integral part of the Nazi killing machine. They loyally picked up Jewish people in the villages and put them on the animal train into Auschwitz. The authorities should take action against Csendor sympathisers to stop their effort to whitewash history.

Brilliant movie inspired by true events!

[digiteum · 10/10 · 28 September 2018]

I enjoyed this movie, though I admit I skimmed part of it. The screenplay was very good, and the suffering to the Jews very real, Sonson, a young man stands up for the oppressed and fights back.

Having been to Yad Vashem on several occasions the film was very vivid, particularly of the resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Wonderful movie...

[andyredman · 10/10 · 29 September 2016]

I read in the press that this film is due to be released in cinemas this fall, can't wait! The film sends powerful anti-war message and clearly this film like many other anti-war movies like "Paths of Glory", "Galliipoli, The Deer Hunter etc is saying that any uniforms, guns, wars, ethic and racist prejudice and hatred is the most stupid thing ever invented by humankind. The whole idea of uniformity, national symbols, golden eagles budges as symbols of national superiority over others is just laughing and anyone with a brain can wear it and posture in it believably like a Hitler, Stalin or Napoleon, just as has Charlie Chaplin shown in his brilliant satire "Great Dictator". And that is what is so powerful about this movie which main theme and subject matter, like in "Great Dictator" is stupidity of "uniform" as symbol of national pride, power and prestige and not who is beneath the uniform. Highly recommend it.

Make every bullet count

[nogodnomasters · 9/10 · 31 October 2017]

PLOT SPOILER (?) REVIEW The film is based on a true story. Pappy (Harvey Keital) tells his grandson Max (Julian Shatkin) the story of a true hero for his school 1,000 word essay. He did not tell him it was his autobiography and the kid didn't take notes.

This is a flashback story of Sonson (Luke Mably), an Hungarian Jewish lawyer who in 1943 had the job of making big stones into small ones. After the German occupation, his wife (Diana Cavallioti) dies because Jews were not allowed medicine, making his life of neutrality difficult. His sister-in-law Judith (Ana Ularu) is placed on a train and sent to Poland. Vowing to rescue her (she was actually doing fine on her own) Sonson walks to Poland, dresses up as an SS general and leads an underground rebellion.

Sonson was a dry reluctant hero who was void of character and voice for much of the film, showing how true heroes are humble and "just a man." Harvey Keital, the headliner has a small role as the story teller. Luke Mably was on the screen for most of the film.

Guide: No swearing or nudity. Clothed rape scene.

Sensational

[pjjsinclair · 10/10 · 10 May 2021]

As an Aussie who likes historical WWII dramas it's excellent The best I've seen this year.

a Well-made war drama

[moidoona · 10/10 · 6 November 2016]

A very interesting story during the war. It might be a hidden history that we have never learned or heard about some of unidentified heroes during the world war 2. Lots of people are wounded, hurt and dead during this awful period, but also lots of people who were unknown for their heroic actions, have saved their country and people. While I was watching this movie, I realized that the real hero in the history were the survivors. Through the world worst history, they have continued to make their own history which can change our live today. I hope all of you can feel the same feeling that I've learned by watching this story and I highly recommend to watch this amazing movie.