The Photographer of Mauthausen, a 2018 Spanish historical drama directed by Mar Targarona, has arrived on Netflix, and critics and viewers are calling it one of the most harrowing portrayals of a concentration camp ever filmed.
The film recounts the true story of Francesc Boix, a Catalan Republican and photographer imprisoned at the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp in Austria during World War II. Boix attempts to document images of the atrocities within the camp to provide evidence of the horrors perpetrated behind its walls.
Critics Praise the Film's Impact
Critics suggest the film succeeds with striking cinematography, proving incredibly moving and lingering in the mind for days afterwards. The profoundly dark subject matter and unflinching portrayals of violence are brought to life through naturalistic performances that make the viewer feel like an invisible observer.
Jason Bailey's review on Rotten Tomatoes described it 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.”
Viewer Reactions and Comparisons
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.”
One IMDb reviewer drew comparisons between the film and Schindler's List, describing it as a “stark, brutal re-enactment of actual events in possibly the most brutal and horrendous of all the concentration camps, Mauthausen.”
A Must-See for Historical Value
The reviewer went on to say: “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 its detailed accuracy, and the film brilliantly brings the images, originally captured in black and white, to life. The reviewer rated the film an “8,” noting production values were not of top-notch calibre but “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 available to stream now on Netflix.
