On E List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
Escape from Sobibor (1987)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
11/25
11/25:
Many years ago, I wrote a research paper about Operation Reinhard, covering three death camps (Bełżec,
Sobibór, and Treblinka) in Poland during WWII, but didn't see the film Escape from Sobibor until now.
The wait has been well worth it. This is the Holocaust version of
The Great Escape, and it did happen for real. Nobody knew about
the incident at Sobibór for decades until it was mentioned in Holocaust.
Eventually, a more extensive treatment was granted on screen through Escape from Sobibor.
I don't know if my memory was hazy after failing to realize that all of 600 or so people participated in the
escape on October 14, 1943, with half making out of the compound. About ten percent ultimately survived the war.
The people in the film did exist such as Leon Felhendler, Alexander "Sasha" Pechersky, Stanisław "Shlomo"
Szmajzner, and Gustav Wagner. I agree with what the Jewish did because why not? They were going to be
killed anyway.
The standouts are Alan Arkin and Rutger Hauer, but the supporting cast is very strong. I thought
about giving Escape from Sobibor a '10', but it has several issues. Some of the characters tend to
drop out in the long run before reappearing briefly. There's a bit of restraint going on although some harsh
situations are shown. Certain details are withheld about what really went down in the camp, especially at
Lager III where the extermination took place.
All in all, Escape from Sobibor belongs in the top three of the Holocaust genre along with
Schindler's List and
Triumph of the Spirit.