REVIEW: “Truth & Treason” (2025)

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Thankfully, filmmakers continue to share powerful and important true stories about World War II. The new film “Truth & Treason,” directed by Matt Whitaker, tells the heartbreaking but true story of Helmuth Hübener. At just 17 years old, Hübener was convicted of treason by the Nazis and sentenced to death. He was executed by guillotine on October 27, 1942, simply for speaking out against Hitler and his regime.

I first encountered the incredible story of Ernst Hübener when I watched Forest Whitaker’s documentary, “Truth & Conviction,” back in 2002. Now, he and his co-writer Ethan Vincent have beautifully crafted it into a full-length film. It covers about a year of Hübener’s life and is filled with amazing acting. What really struck me is how powerfully and relevantly the story is told – it feels like a message for any time.

The story unfolds in 1941, primarily in the German city of Hamburg. We’re introduced to Helmuth (played by Ewan Horrocks), a clever and quick-witted 16-year-old who loves to write. Outside of spending time with his friends – Karl, Rudi, and Salomon – Helmuth fulfills his legal obligation by participating in the Hitler Youth. His writing talent also lands him a unique opportunity: a job as the youngest intern at Hamburg city hall.

With the world heading toward war and Germany dramatically changing under Adolf Hitler, young Helmuth doesn’t notice, readily believing everything the Nazis tell him. But a series of undeniable events soon forces him to question everything he thought he knew – about his country, his church, and even his own family.

Helmuth’s life changes when his older brother, Gerhard, comes home from fighting in France with a hidden shortwave radio. Even though the radios were illegal in Germany, Helmuth secretly listened to BBC broadcasts, which presented a different perspective on Hitler’s war than what he was being told.

Helmuth’s perspective shifts dramatically when he witnesses his Jewish friend, Salomon, being brutally attacked by German soldiers and then arrested during a local raid. Deeply disturbed, the religious young man seeks answers from his church, but is horrified to find his Bishop (Daniel Betts), a man he previously admired, prioritizing loyalty to the Führer over his own faith and the principles he preaches.

I’ve been following Helmuth’s story, and it’s incredible. He got so fed up with what was happening that he started his own resistance movement. He believed in the power of truth, and he used his writing to share it with everyone in the city. It was so risky – he’d type up leaflets on bright red paper and secretly leave them around at night. What really got me was that he wasn’t alone. He convinced Rudi and Karl to join him, even though they knew getting caught would mean serious trouble. It’s truly inspiring to see their courage.

Helmuth is still the main focus of this gripping story, but the film also explores the era through the experiences of other characters. We witness the church’s decline through the Bishop’s deliberate blindness, and gain insight into various German viewpoints through the internal struggles of a Gestapo officer. The film also shows how families were affected, through Helmuth’s gentle mother and his harsh, Nazi-supporting stepfather. These characters enrich Helmuth’s journey and offer a revealing look at life under Nazi rule.

Whitaker skillfully uses imagery and historical allusions to vividly depict life in Germany under Hitler’s oppressive rule. For example, the stark contrast of a picture of Jesus Christ next to a portrait of Hitler on a church door, or the hidden archive of forbidden books, are particularly striking details. These moments powerfully convey the atmosphere of the era and contribute to a dramatic and inspiring film. “Truth & Treason” is a compelling movie that viewers shouldn’t miss.

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2025-10-15 17:58