A war film described as both “heartbreaking” and “terrifying” has quietly landed on Netflix, with fans and critics calling it one of the most harrowing accounts of a concentration camp in cinema history.
The Photographer of Mauthausen (El fotógrafo de Mauthausen) is a 2018 Spanish historical drama directed by Mar Targarona. It tells the true story of Francesc Boix, a Catalan Republican photographer imprisoned at the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp during World War II.
A Photographer's Fight for Truth
The Spaniard tries to capture images of the horrors inside the Nazi Austrian camp to evidence the atrocities committed within its walls. Critics say the film delivers stunning cinematography, is incredibly poignant, and stays with viewers for days after watching.
The film’s dark themes and stark depictions of violence are portrayed through naturalistic acting that makes viewers feel like a fly on the wall.
Critical and Viewer Reactions
Jason Bailey’s review on Rotten Tomatoes described the film as “Vivid, involving and frequently terrifying.”
Tess Cagle said: "The film is a heart-wrenching love letter to photography and its power of upholding the truth in a confusing world."
Richard W said: “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). This film is from the experiences of Spanish antifascists who were imprisoned in the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. I found this film to be very moving.”
Comparisons to Schindler's List
On IMDb, one viewer compared the film to Schindler’s List, calling it “a stark, brutal re-enactment of actual events in possibly the most brutal and horrendous of all the concentration camps, Mauthausen.”
They added: “The film faithfully chronicles a true story... perhaps too faithfully for the faint of heart to watch. This finely acted film, which must have been excruciating for the actors to work on, is a must-see for its historical value, not for casual amusement (there's nothing amusing about sadism, unless you're a Nazi).
“The recreation of scenes the real photographer captured is amazing for their detailed accuracy, and the film brilliantly brings the images, originally captured in black and white, to life. I rated this film an '8', which I deem a very high rating, only because production values were not of top-notch calibre... but, then, they really didn't need to be for this film.
“The setting, along with the acting, was perfectly believable as is, and you'll be sucked into a nightmare as soon as the film begins... and stay there until the last few minutes. That alone makes this film a huge success.”
The Photographer of Mauthausen is streaming now on Netflix.
