OK so I finally watched 'A Hidden Life' - Thoughts on the film and Franz Jagerstatter

When I posted an earlier video about why I didn't want to watch Terrence Malick's film "A Hidden Life" (almost a year ago!) a lot of folks reacted negatively to my reasoning. Some of the responses were actually thought provoking so I ended up watching the film and I'm glad I did.

The film was beautiful and uncomfortably challenging at the same time. So many of us think we would have the same courage as Franz Jägerstätter, but so few people actually did.

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[wadehwallace]

As Tolkien wrote in Lord of the Rings, "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

No act of resistance is too small or too insignificant to be meaningful. In fact, oftentimes the smallest and most hopeless acts are the MOST meaningful.

[evavanvollenhoven]

The times we live will require this kind of courage from us. I pray that God will prepare me and and all of us...

[boojasmine]

He is an official “blessed” of the Church, one step away from a saint. Pray for us Blessed Franz.

[boozunga]

Beautiful message Laura. You capture the spirit of A Hidden Life so well, noting Malick's skill and creativity, immersing us in a world that is at once beautiful and frightening. At some level, we can all recognize this contrast of beauty and tragedy in the world around us. The question, however, is whether we, too, can nurture a hidden life that promises clarity, purpose, freedom, and meaning, as it did for Franz.

[audiophileman]

Franz Jagerstatter's sacrifice wasn't just an act of unshakeable faith. It was an act of love for God and humanity. Without people like Franz, what would the world be?

[simes]

Glad you watched it after all. Phenomenal movie with a vital message. "Store up your treasure in heaven ..."

[suzannepeck]

Laura, what a wonderful, gentle homily you gave here, and how richly it was appreciated and taken to heart. Thanks you.

Congratulations on nearing 20, 000 subscribers! It’s so well deserved!

[Toddlesification]

Glad you finally did and that you found it rewarding. I am a big fan of his work and if you are looking to explore more of his films, especially those that touch on spiritual themes I would recommend:

- Thin Red Line - a war film so has the appropriate violence and death, but juxtaposes that strongly with beauty and spiritual longing.
- Tree of Life - This one will be challenging but ultimately his most spiritual film, at its most simple looking at the way of nature (fight for survival and dominance) vs grace (love and caring for others). However told in an unconventional style that functions kind of like memory or how our thoughts work. Stay with it. It looks back at perhaps the origins of life and grace, and perhaps to an afterlife. However the main focus is childhood in the 50s. One of the most beautiful films ever made. Every frame could be put on a wall in a frame.
- The New World - a telling of John Smith and Pocahontas. Doesn't often get the attention of his other films but it is absolutely one of his best.

All the best.

PS I cannot speak for other commentators, but I never get mad or upset about these things, just like to encourage people to see things they would likely engage with and have a powerful experience with

[jackienaiditch]

I saw "A Hidden Life" several months ago, and found it very powerful. I highly recommend another Terrence Malick film, "Days of Heaven." Movies like this, or music, or any of the arts, can add a whole new dimension to our lives, challenging us to think and feel in entirely new ways.

[UnPoquitoDeSal]

I finally saw the film for myself - it was traumatising in a way, but in a good way, if that can be said. Kind of like experiencing the sorrow that leads to repentance. So many times he was tempted, and it would have been so easy to just sign the paper (being 'just words that you don't have to believe'), yet he didn't. He knew the Path and walked it. God has blessed his testimony. I hope I can learn from it, and not just be 'inspired'.

[lauralaforest]

Thank you for taking the time out to give us this review. Very well worded.

[csmith]

Glad you watched it! I just wrote on your older video to reconsider and watch it, stating my reasons.
Great video above re: your experiences with the film.
I agree that the connection and playfulness between Fani and Franz is far too rare. For those who experience it, it is the most wonderful gift. You have to be open to it though along with your partner. Yes, both a difficult and beautiful film

[leonieazelie]

This was an excellent video! St. Thomas Moore has a similar story - he stood up against King Henry VIII and was imprisoned and beheaded for it. Even though his wife and daughter begged him to stand down and everyone turned against him, he remained steadfast and said that he couldn’t go against God and his conscience. When on trial they said to him that everyone was against him and that he stood alone. His reply was, “on the contrary, I stand with all of Christendom.”
I really liked your insight into this movie. Now I want to see it!

[juliegathman]

Excellent commentary, thank you. I'm intrigued and plan to watch it.

[ekaterini]

Yes, ma'am. You and Father Seraphim would definitely connect well. So there is the blessed side of the Internet, the side that lets folks communicate who would otherwise never meet, never hear the thoughts inspired by God coming through. Thank you again for being there for so many people to just let His inspiration flow through you and not being afraid like the rest of us.

[odysseusrex]

7:48 "It definitely challenged me in an uncomfortable sort of way, which is always a good thing, "
What a remarkable thing to hear someone say in these times! So often we hear people whining about feeling "unsafe", literally, physically unsafe, just because somebody, somewhere, is saying something they disagree with, or otherwise makes them uncomfortable. Good for you to recognize and embrace the value of being discomfited.

[MattmanLovesMusic]

Thank you for sharing that. It is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen and on many levels.

[lorettaosullivan]

Many thanks Laura for your wonderful insightful review of this moving film ‚A Hidden Life‘. Although the film is powerful and slow moving it has many layers. Loretta

[nicolasgasquoine]

Glad you gave Terrence Malik film the time of day!! He spent 3 years editing it.

Check: Badlands, Days of Heaven, Thin Red Line and the Tree of Life

[lorraine]

A masterpiece. Loved this movie about true courage and a good man…