The 2018 historical thriller The Photographer of Mauthausen, which holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been praised for its historical accuracy, is now available to stream on Netflix. The biographical drama tells the true story of a Spanish prisoner who risked his life to document the atrocities of the Holocaust.
Plot and Setting
Set in 1943 at Austria's Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp, the film follows Francesc Boix, a Spanish prisoner who, upon learning of Germany's defeat at Stalingrad, realises that the Nazi paramilitary organisation Schutzstaffel (SS) would attempt to eliminate all proof of their atrocities. Working in the camp's photography laboratory, Boix persuades his fellow prisoners that they must turn the camera into a weapon.
He launches a risky mission to copy and smuggle photographic negatives capturing the horrors, from mass killings and brutal torture to inspections by senior Nazi figures such as Heinrich Himmler.
Rising Danger and Cast
By 1945, with Allied troops advancing, the threat intensifies for Boix as camp commandant Franz Ziereis commands the elimination of all photographic records and decrees the killing of prisoners possessing compromising knowledge.
Directed by Mar Targarona, the film features Mario Casas in the lead role as Francesc Boix, supported by Richard van Weyden, Stefan Weinert, Alain Hernández, and Adrià Salazar.
Critical Reception
The picture has garnered recognition for its authentic performances, meticulous historical accuracy, and unflinching portrayal of the Holocaust. A Common Sense Media critic described it as a "harrowing concentration camp tale" which "lauds bravery and resolve," while another observer noted it's "very historically accurate to the events that took place, and there are also very precise details that are true."
The observer continued: "The actors who played in this movie had an outstanding performance, especially Richard van Weyden as Ricken and Stefan Weinert as Franz Ziereis. In conclusion, great movie if you like historically true dramas; I would recommend."
Another viewer remarked: "Another film told from first-hand witnesses to the atrocities of World War II under fascist control. It's important to watch films like this so we never forget what happened (and work hard to never allow it to happen again). I found this film to be very moving."
The Photographer of Mauthausen can be watched on Netflix.
