Josef

Josef

Year: 2011

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: Croatian

Director: Stanislav Tomić

ActionDramaHistoryWar

Set on the Eastern Front of World War I, the film follows characters struggling to survive amid relentless combat. Shot in muted, ash‑colored tones, it weaves a fragmented, almost puzzle‑like narrative that feels as precise and bitter as a Rubik’s Cube of intersecting fates and events.

Bleak
Bleak ending
Emotionally heavy
High intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

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Timeline & Setting – Josef (2011)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Josef (2011). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1915

Set in 1915 during World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Army clashes with Russian and Circassian forces on the Galician front. The year marks harsh campaigns, shifting loyalties, and the precarious nature of frontline life. The characters' decisions are driven by survival amid a backdrop of imperial military objectives.

Location

Galicia, Circassia

The action unfolds on the Eastern Front in Galicia during World War I. Soldiers move between trenches, remote woods, and Circassian camps, highlighting how terrain shapes conflict. The setting emphasizes the brutal, indifferent face of war that forces men to improvise for survival.

🗺️ War zone 🌍 Eastern Front

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:40

Main Characters – Josef (2011)

Meet the key characters of Josef (2011), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Natporučnik Tiffenbach

A strict Austro-Hungarian lieutenant who suspects the Croatian imposter but is forced to navigate shifting loyalties. He endures capture and manipulation, eventually disguising himself to survive the Circassian camp ordeal. His endurance in hostile conditions reveals a calculating, pragmatic officer who values order even when his own identity is at stake.

⚔️ 🧭 🗡️

Pelagija

A woodland recluse who tends to the wounded and becomes entangled in a dangerous exchange of loyalty for survival. She initially shelters the captured officer but ultimately betrays him for a horse, illustrating how desperation can erode trust. Her choices reflect a morally gray stance in the war’s chaos.

🌲 🧭 🪶

Kapetan Serjoža (Captain Seryoza)

A Circassian commander whose forces torture prisoners and enforce hard labor, embodying the war’s brutality. He later interacts with the impersonated Josef and reveals a keen, opportunistic mind, adjusting loyalties to suit his strategic aims. His presence frames the moral ambiguity at war’s margins.

🪖 🧭 ⚔️

Josef

The dead NCO whose uniform and identification tag become the catalyst for the impostor’s survival gambit. Known as a regimental fencing champion, his identity carries symbolic weight in a war that blurs individual legacies. He becomes a haunting anchor for the events that follow.

⚔️ 🧭 🛡️

Croatian Soldier (Unnamed)

The unnamed Croatian survivor who steals Josef’s identity, setting off a chain of deceptions and near-captures. His actions drive the plot’s tension and underscore how personal survival can override collective loyalty in desperate times.

🗡️ 🧭 💀

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:40

Major Themes – Josef (2011)

Explore the central themes of Josef (2011), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪪 Identity Deception

A Croatian soldier assumes the dead NCO’s identity to avoid execution, turning the war’s chaos into a perilous game of impersonation. The imitation of Josef’s tag and uniform drives plot twists and raises questions about truth, loyalty, and consequence. The subterfuge exposes how a single sliver of identity can alter fate in a brutal setting.

⚔️ War Brutality

The narrative foregrounds captivity, torture, and the harsh treatment of prisoners by Circassian and Russian forces. Deserts, sieges, and forced labor depict a world where mercy is scarce and power dynamics hinge on physical dominance. The violence tests characters’ limits and moral codes, revealing their resilience or failure.

🔮 Legacy

A moment hints that the impersonated Josef’s tag bears the name Josip Broz, foreshadowing a future Yugoslav leader. The film ties a personal act of deception to a larger historical arc, suggesting how a single choice can ripple into later political destinies. The idea of legacy adds a layer of existential weight to characters’ actions, even as they struggle for survival.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:40

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Josef Summary

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Josef Summary

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Josef Timeline

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Josef Spoiler-Free Summary

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Josef (2011) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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