Amen.

Amen.

Year: 2003

Runtime: 132 min

Language: English

Director: Costa-Gavras

DramaCrimeWar

In wartime Germany, Lieutenant Kurt Gerstein, a chemist torn between duty and morality, uncovers the horrific truth: Zyklon B pellets meant to purify drinking water are instead used to mass murder Jews. As he works to expose this atrocity, Gerstein navigates treacherous alliances with SS officers, Protestant leaders, and Vatican officials in a desperate bid for justice.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Amen. (2003)
Trace every key event in Amen. (2003) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Kurt Gerstein's Innovation

During World War II, Kurt Gerstein, a Waffen-SS officer at the SS Hygiene Institute, creates processes to purify water and eliminate vermin. His work is initially aimed at combating diseases like typhus, which is prevalent in the war-torn environment of Europe.

Early 1940s SS Hygiene Institute
2

Discovery of Zyklon B's True Purpose

Gerstein's world shatters when he learns that his chemical formula, Zyklon B, is being used in horrific extermination camps to kill Jews and other 'undesirables'. This revelation brings him to a moral crossroads, forcing him to confront the reality of his contributions to genocide.

1942 Extermination Camps
3

Seeking Help from the Pope

Determined to alleviate the suffering of the Jews, Gerstein decides to inform Pope Pius XII about the ongoing gassings. He hopes that the Pope can leverage his influence to stop the atrocities, yet Gerstein is met with a disheartening response from the Catholic Church.

1942 Vatican City
4

Meeting Riccardo Fontana

Gerstein encounters Riccardo Fontana, a compassionate Jesuit priest who empathizes with the plight of the Jews. Together, they work tirelessly to raise awareness within the Church, advocating for urgent action against Hitler's regime.

1942 Rome
5

Cry for Help to the Vatican

Despite Fontana's impassioned pleas to the Vatican for a stronger condemnation of Nazism, their responses remain muted and inadequate. The lack of decisive action fosters despair among those like Fontana who are desperate to make a difference.

1942 Vatican City
6

Gerstein's Journey to Rome

Gerstein travels to Rome in hope of gaining an audience with Pope Pius XII. However, he finds himself barred from entry, his message thwarted, intensifying his frustration as the situation for Jews grows increasingly dire.

1943 Rome
7

Germans Seize Control of Rome

As German forces tighten their grip on Rome, they commence raids to round up Italian Jews for deportation to death camps. This escalates the urgency for Gerstein and Fontana to act, pushing them to seek refuge for the persecuted.

July 1943 Rome
8

Fontana's Daring Decision

In a symbolic act of solidarity, Fontana wears the Jewish Star-of-David badge and voluntarily boards a train meant for deported Jews. His choice reflects extreme bravery and a commitment to stand with the suffering, even at great personal risk.

July 1943 Railway Station
9

Interrogation by 'The Doctor'

Upon arrival at the camp, Fontana faces interrogation by a terrifying figure known as 'the Doctor'. Despite recognizing Fontana's background, the Doctor permits him to stay with the Jewish detainees, compelling him into harrowing labor at the crematorium.

July 1943 Death Camp
10

Gerstein's Desperate Attempt

Gerstein learns of Fontana's situation and rushes to rescue him from the impending carnage. Yet, Fontana refuses to abandon his fellow prisoners, illustrating his loyalty and the shared humanity among them as they face their doom.

July 1943 Death Camp
11

Witnessing Horrific Atrocities

As Gerstein is escorted away, he witnesses the grim reality of Nazi atrocities: German soldiers exhuming and burning bodies from mass graves. This harrowing sight deepens his resolve to expose the Nazis' barbarity to the world.

July 1943 Death Camp
12

Gathering Evidence of Atrocities

Gerstein returns home determined to compile undeniable evidence of the Nazi's genocide. He meticulously documents his findings, believing this information is crucial for the Allies to mobilize against the horrors he has witnessed.

Late 1943 Germany
13

Arrested for His Efforts

Despite presenting his evidence to the Allies, Gerstein is arrested instead of being celebrated as a whistleblower. The treachery of the Nazi regime leads to his downfall, reflecting the dark reality of resistance in such a repressive regime.

1944 Germany
14

Gerstein's Tragic End

After being charged with crimes, Kurt Gerstein is found hanging in his cell, culminating the tragic irony of his fate. His efforts to expose the brutalities of the Holocaust end in personal tragedy, highlighting the dire consequences of standing up against tyranny.

1944 Prison
15

The Doctor's Escape

Meanwhile, the Doctor, who orchestrated much of the horror, seeks a way out of the impending collapse of Nazi Germany. He converses with a Cardinal in Rome, exploiting his medical status to secure an escape to Argentina, emphasizing the moral decay within the ranks of those responsible for the genocide.

1944 Rome

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:46

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