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“Walking with the Enemy“ is inspired by a true story. This film is an unforgettable film of love, courage, and sacrifice. Set in Hungary during the final months of World War II, a young man sets out to find his displaced family by stealing a Nazi uniform to pose as an officer. Filled with suspense and danger, he undertakes extraordinary measures to reroute his family and other Jews to safety by disrupting the activities of the German occupiers.
This movie may not have received the great accolades of an excellent movie, but it does tell the story very clearly and accurately of the time from 1939 – 1945 in Hungary and the fate of the Hungarian Jews. I think it is very valuable to the students and adults of the Boulder Jewish community and in particular, because it is Holocaust Remembrance week.
My own family lived through these times, Irene Rosenshein’s family was taken to Auschwitz during that period, my own cousin stole a Nazi uniform and brought food into the ghetto and caused plenty of mischief to the Nazis.
Knowing history also provides a perspective to what is going on in Hungary today. There is a growing air of anti-Semitism again rising in Hungary; fed by government policies. My parents with two little girls in tow thankfully fled in 1940 the country they loved and supported when the anti-Semitic sentiment grew like a groundswell and swallowed my mother’s whole family, along with 500,000 Hungarians in a matter of months.
This film is currently playing in Boulder at the Century 16 theater at 29th Street, and at the Westminster 24. See it while it’s still in town!
Related: Hungary’s “March of Life” Draws Record Crowd (Times of Israel)
We will try to find the film to see it. My father's family, too, were Hungarian Jews. My father was in Vienna studying medicine–he was, as a Jew, not allowed into a medical school in Hungary. But in Vienna he met my mother, and together with her whole family they escaped in England in 1938 or 1939, then 10 years later to America. My paternal grandfather, one of my uncles and a 9-year-old cousin were murdered in the concentration camps.
The resurgence of active anti-Semitism by the current right-wing government in Hungary is frightening.
Thanks, Barbara, for the review.–Susan Weitz, Midland, MI
Susan: If you click on the film's link in the article, it will take you to the film's page, which has a list of theaters by state and city. Good luck, and thanks for reading the BJN from Michigan! — Ed.
I love this movie! Recommend it to all.
It has closed in Boulder but still playing in Louisville. We plan to see it this weekend!