Escape From Germany (2024)

In this faith-based film set during the Nazi rule the escapees are not the usual Jewish families but 79 Mormon missionaries seeking to convert Germans to their born in America religion—you know, the kind of well-dressed young male couples whom you might have seen knocking on doors in your neighborhood. Set in August 1939, this is one of the lesser known “true stories” of World War 2, based on Terry Bohle Montague’s book Mine Angels Round About, which in turn is based on the diaries of the missionaries.

The film begins with the LDS President sending an urgent warning to the LDS offices in Germany, “THE WAR IS GOING TO START IN 3 DAYS. GET OUR MISSIONARIES OUT OF GERMANY.”

Various leaders spring into action to round up their staff, the one the film focusing on being Elder Anderson (Sebastian Barr). Without the wonders of today’s digital technology this proved a formidable task. As Sebastian sets out to locate them with no clue as to their whereabouts, he comes across them in what seemed a “miraculous” way. There is suspense as abusive Nazi guards check papers and rudely speak to them. And, of course, we see people with yellow Stars of David sewed to their garments being rounded up. And we wonder if the last missionary on August 31 (knowing what happened on September 1, 1939!) will make it to his destination, Denmark.

Although the stakes for these mostly American missionaries are not as high as for Jews trapped in Germany, there is certainly suspense aplenty, though a minimum of violence compared to the usual Holocaust-era film. The acting ranges from good to fair, but the director/co-writer/producer T.C. Christensen knows how to get the most out of a low budget—he has directed 28 films and served as cinemaphotographer for this and 83 other films. A valuable addition are the photos of the real missionaries shown at the end of the film and further information about them.

This might be a film to introduce children to the Holocaust because of its low violence content. We do see the result of a beating, but not in a gory way. Though it centers on Mormons and not Jews, adults can point out during street scenes various people forced to wear a Star of David. The escapees may not as heroic as those hiding and helping Jews to escape, but it took courage, inventiveness, and faith to fulfill their mission.

No questions for this film.