Escape From Sobibor Reviews

• A moment of clarity in history's darkest hour!

  
  By A1Y87CGW677R88 on 2003-09-23
  I'm very glad this amazing piece of work is finally on dvd. Scape of subibor focus in the only successful concentartion camp uprising of WWII and the holocaust. Functioning as one of the three (sobibor, belzec and treblinka) Operation Rainhard extermination camps during the first half of the war, the camp's main responsability was to eliminate as many "non-desireble" people as possible and was one of the first camps that incorporated the infamous gas chambers as a method of systematic dispousal.I won't review the movie because it's a must see for anyone interested in the horrifying event that ended the life of more that eleven million individuals (more than 6 1/2 million jews, 50,000 Romas (gypsies), 1 million mentally ill and over 3 million other non desireble persons and POWs) sadly about this film, is that for someone that's not familiar with the brutal events of the holocaust, won't find this film shocking, even though it's very powerful. There's no inside look on the atrocities that took place at sobibor and the insightful view of the place where more than 250,000 people were muedered; is pretty overlooked...I believe it's probably the fact that not even the prisioner knew exactly what was going or where was all the people that was send to the showers on the minute they arrived. The story of survival will depress you and the execution escene where the SS Komandant order 13 prisioners that tryed to scape to choose a person each to be executed with then, is simply, on of the heart breaking moments on modern cinema. The movie ends with chaos. this is a real life event and a great lesson of courage and redemption.
  
  

• The film of historic accurancy.

  
  By A6IPCERKJ6QNP on 1999-07-18
  "Escape from Sobibor" is a grim turn inspirational film about the prisoners who, after careful planning, managed to escape from Sobibor. 300 died during the escape whereas the other 300 managed to live during and after the escape. The actors, especially Alan Arkin, Rutger Hauer, and Hartmut Becker, gave memorable & magnificant performances. Becker was telling & excellent in portraying one of the chief SS men in charge of the camp, sargeant Wagner. The actresses, especially Joanna Pacula, also played with upmost effectiveness & familiarity with the history behind Sobibor.

  The film is historically as accurate as it can be, with scenes so telling of the torture of the prisoners hated due to dangerous & distorted ideologies. The picture, not as masterful as "Schindler's List", is well done nevertheless with artistry & sophistication. The acting measures up to the acting in "Schindler's List."

  My only hope is that this video recording is not abridged, for the complete film is two hours & thirty minutes. If the video has the complete version of the film, my recommendation exists very strongly. If the abridged version exist, hesitations should occupy your mind.

  Ask questions.
  
  

• Sobibor for small televisions

  
  By AA8A6CALOFD1N on 2001-01-18
  This is a great story- about triumph under the most extreme of circumstances. Its based on actual accounts of witnesses and has the tension and drama only a true story could provide. The problem is that the 4x3 dvd transfer is so bad it looks like a nearsighted and or drunk technician took a wonderful movie and smeared it onto a dvd in a fit of stupor. Please- see the movie on tv-but dont even think about buying this dvd unless you have a 5 inch tv.
  
  

• Touching and interesting

  
  By A22IK3I6U76GX0 on 2002-04-29
  This movie follows a group of prisoners in the concentration camp Sobibor planning to escape. They soon realize that if they manage to escape, other prisoners will get killed, so they have to see to that all the prisoners in the entire camp can escape at the same time. The group, led by Leon (Alan Arkin), soon gets help from a Russian (Rutger Hauer).

  It's a slow moving film that portrays the life in the concentration camp, the prisoner's way of trying to do the best of their situation, not giving up and keep living to get revenge. It also shows how brutal a man can get when he gets power over others.

  It's well written with many great scenes, has excellent acting by all actors, especially by Arikin and Hauer, and is sometimes quite touching. It's a very good movie that makes you think and can lead to interesting discussions. Highly recommended!
  
  

• Beware - not the full length version

  
  By A3CBTKYS266T6J on 2002-09-27
  I bought the DVD, and found that it is the "edited" version - a fair amount of footage is missing. This is a great film and well worth seeing, but try to find the full-length version.
  
  
• Escape From Sobibor is the best Holocaust movie I've seen
  By on 1998-12-13
  I found Escape from Sobibor to be better than any other movie I've seen about the Holocaust because it represented the concentration camps victims as strong and rebellious, rather than, as others I've seen do, too passive. The first time I saw this movie I was very young and since then I've seen it over 10 times. I'm in college now and I remember bringing it to show in my history class in the eighth grade, because I liked it so much. The scenes in which several nazi officers are killed in order to make the huge escape possible was well done, and then the escape scene, partly because of the music, was very emotional and passionate and heroic. It's difficult to describe the happiness felt when watching the people escape. And the fact that there were short summaries of what happened to the people after they escaped, I thought, was a good idea, because I often walk away films based on reality wondering what happened later. I strongly recommend that everybody watch it!
  
  
• A classic among Holocaust movies
  By A1POFVVXUZR3IQ on 2007-03-02
  I first watched this movie almost 20 years ago when I was sixteen, and it still has the power to inspire, and thrill. The story is fact-based, and deals with prisoners in the Sobibor concentration camp, a group of whom decide to plan their escape before they are killed by the Nazis. Although the true horrors of the concentration camps are not explicitly depicted in this movie, the courage of the camp inmates, especially those planning the escape is very vividly portrayed. The cast is excellent, and if you like watching fact-based movies dealing with the Holocaust, then this should be on your list.
  
  
• A horrible ,yet inspiring movie
  By A3BVRA2QL3TIOQ on 1999-12-29
  Horrific, shocking, inspiring, and heartbreaking. This is the true story of a group of Jews (men &women ), their imprisonment and escape from a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. You'll see how they plotted their escape, the torture and shocking deaths of their countrymen, and their brave and triumphant escape from the clutches of the Nazis. It is heart wrenching to view this film, yet at the same time,should inspire anyone to have the courage to stand up to adversities in their lives and fight against them. This one has a variety of horror, suspense, action, adventure, and drama. Don't miss it.
  
  
• My Favorite Holocaust Movie
  By A1ERDXS0QLEVKB on 2002-04-22
  Sobibor was one of the concentration camps that killed Jews during World War II. It was the most secret camp that the nazi party established. "Esacpe from Sobibor" is a touching and very, very sad movie of how the Jews that were being held at Sobibor planned an escape. This movie is my favorite holocaust movie; and there are a lot of them.

  "Escape from Sobibor" is my favorite Holocaust movie because it is very suspenseful. The Jews make a plan and as the movie develops you gain more of an interest for this movie and what will happen to the Jews. The actors were very good and depicted the Jewish people in Sobibor very well. The concentration camp depicted what it was really like to be at one of the camps during WWII.

  I will continue to watch this movie over the years. i recommend this film to anybody that is interested in the Holocaust and would like a little drama added to the story. This is my favorite Holocaust movie and you'll probably enjoy this movie. This is a film that's not to be missed.

  Happy Viewing!
  
  

• a true reminder
  By A3KQCQXT3ES4S0 on 2001-06-12
  I didnot expect much from this movie when i bought it from a second-hand shop,because i thought "the great escape"was the best"escape movie"that i ever saw.But when i saw this movie i felt like i was a whitness to everything that took place in Sobibor.This movie is more dramatic than the "great escape". This is a true reminder of that what happened in nazi death-camps.There were some scenes that i felt ashamed of being a human being.Naked women and childeren waiting for their turn to get in the gas-rooms as they thougt they were going to take shower.I think everybody should watch this movie and never forget that what was happened in nazi camps.
  
  
• Surprisingly good movie
  By A2JO9ZE0VI38I4 on 2004-01-16
  I have bought this one a year ago and didn't watch it till now. It was a big surprise as I didn't expect souch a touching movie to come out. HIGHLY RECOMENDED
  
  
• Excellent made-for-TV WW2 true story
  By A1L5QWBQV4WN2L on 2004-04-27
  This is the best made-for-tv movie (broadcast network) that depicts true events I have ever seen. Rutger Hauer and Alan Arkin are excellent as a Russian POW and a Jewish concentration camp prisoner who lead an uprising in a German concentration camp. It left me feeling "at least SOMEONE in a concentration camp stuck it to the Nazis." It also made me wish more had been able to. It's surprisingly graphic for a made-for-tv movie (I think it was on CBS); it shows naked women lined up to enter the showers (gas chambers). Just a word of warning to parents.
  
  
• This movie derserve a better DVD
  By A32XYOXA34FV7Y on 2006-10-06
  I give five stars for the movie and only one for the DVD release.
  Please, Read the 5-star rating reviews to know what is good in this movie. Then you can read mine to know something about this fake looking DVD.
  
  I don't know nothing about remastering but if this DVD is a "Digitally remastered", then I am the Queen of England !
  In fact, the video quality sucks (no color, no contrast, no detail, no nothing !). So does the Dolby Digital 5.1 track (very low level, flat mixing). You can try the stereo track, it's worse.
  
  You know what ?
  If there wasn't neither "Digitally remastered" nor "5.1 surroound sound" printed on the jacket, I wouldn't write nothing about those issues. Actually, those prints are worthless.
  
  
• excellent. I have seen the European Version
  By on 1999-10-29
  I loved the American Version of Escape From Sobibor, but when I was in Greece I decided to rent this movie there. The European verson ran 140 minutes and had additional scenes. Has anyone seen this other version? Additonal scenes include more scenes of the fire burning, a man getting whipped on a log to death (this happened during the escape with 13 people into the woods who were choping) and a scene with Moses' brother making love to a woman. I have seen this version and am not fibbing.
  
  
• Bitter Truth.
  By A1FS98KUWO344U on 2000-08-24
  Easily the most gruesomely memorable films of arguably the darkest period in contemporary history, this film / mini-series, the latter form which dominated on tv casting in the USA, conjures up one of the truest, most poignant images of man's hatred of his fellow man. Though certainly not as sophisticated in its production values and chimerical emotiveness as Speilberg's Schindler's List, the film is messianic, yet shamelessly brutal in the conceptual truth that it serves to disseminate. Led by a stellar cast (kudos to the casting director), that included Alan Arkin with his repressed rage, and almost simplistic visions of freedom, Rutger Hauer, as the bookkeeper turned Russian POW who epitomises grit and belief, and Joanna Pacula, who radiates a heretofore unprecedented strength of character, the film showcases man's determination against what are easily construed to be fierce odds against survival, much less escape in one of the most feared Death Camps in the Nazi regime.

  Scenes of poignancy such as the vociferous exchange between Schlomo and Alan Arkin in the barracks wherein the latter explains the true explanation behind the fire in Camp 3, Schlomo's brothers' discovery of the mechanical death factories in Camp 3, and Alan Arkin urging the stoical, almost fatalistic Jews to make good their escape ina frantic turn of events stand out among a host of other images that are vignettes in a drama of epic proportions. Sadly expunged from the American version (and included in the European version) are additional scenes of brutality that bear mute testimony to the ruthless hegemony extended by Ukrainian soldiers, and Jewish kapos toward the hapless Jewish prisoners. Scenes wherein a Jewish prisoner is flogged to death until he can no longer count the lashes in Camp 4 (the hard labour camp), and the massacre of the 13 would-be escapists from the same camp is violently stirring to say the least. In the midst of all this truth, there lies a sliver of hope in the nurturing of the fact there is hope, when we are transported to the commemorative statue and plaque erected (on the outskirs of the camp)in memory of those who died in Sobibor that enunciates in its syncopacious realism, "Never again a reality".
  
  

• ESCAPE FROM SOBIBOR
  By on 2002-03-12
  MU UNCLE WAS ONE OF THE ESCAPEES PORTRAYED IN THIS FILM. HIS NAME APPEARS AT THE END OF THE FILM AS DO ALL THE NAMES OF THE ESCAPEES. HE IS SINCE DECEASED. BUT HIS DESCRIPTION OF HIS ESCAPE TO ME SOME 35 YEARS AGO-LONG BEFORE THIS FILM WAS MADE-IS ACCURATELY PORTRAYED IN THIS FILM.
  AS MOST CONCENTRATION CAMP SURVIVORS WILL TELL YOU-THE CONDITIONS PORTRAYED IN THIS FILM-WERE , IN REALITY , A GREAT DEAL MORE HORRIFIC.
  WE MUST NEVER FORGET OR FORGIVE WHAT HAPPENED IN THOSE DARK DAYS-NOR MORE IMPORTANTLY-EVER LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!
  
  
• PAINFULLY REAL
  By A1R8LZYZR3377O on 2005-07-22
  This movie is shockingly realistic for a TV movie from the 80s. The acting is great. The film does not try to skip over certain normal human reactions among the Jews. A good educational tool for those who may gloss over this horrible time in human history. Alan Arkin emoting attempted calmness in the face of utter tragedy is strangly understandable(and well done). The store bought dvd I have is sort of thrown together. By that I mean their was no time put into the picture and sound quality. The picture is somewhat blurry and grainy, and the sound is low and muffled,especially the narrating. Clean this movie up and put it out right.
  
  
• Hauer is as good as we always suspected
  By A1SCP4VZWBN5F2 on 2001-08-21
  Somehow I just knew hauer could be an exceptional actor. You get glimpses of it in his performances in films like "Blade Runner" and "Lady Hawk". But here in this film, as a captured Russian Jewish soldier,plotting the escape of the entire prison population of a Nazi concentration camp, he shines. I first saw this movie on The History Channel, but don't hold that against it. The plot is captivating, the acting superb, and the rush you get during the simultaneously terrible and glorious climax is powerful. Equal to Schindler's list at a fraction of the budget, this is a MUST SEE film.
  
  
• Amazing Portrayal of History
  By on 2003-12-29
  I have visited Nazi death camps in Poland. I found the information presented there to be dry and dull. But when I first saw Escape from Sobibor at a relatives house, I was intrigued, because I could actually see the information through the amazing acting of Alan Arkin. I was impressed how they were able to create a gripping story that appeals to all senses, yet still be able to follow the truth so closely. The emotions I felt while watching this movie was unbelievable, whereas the death camps I was bored and uninterested because I couldn't visualize the information. This movie is great for anyone, whether you are a history buff, like gory scenes, or anything. I would definitely reccomend this movie to anyone who asked me about it.
  
  
• escae from sobibor
  By on 2005-01-29
  I thought this film was brilliant. It really shows what those innocent people went through.because i think that the deaths in the camps have been forgotten and although i didnt get 2 see the ending i enjoyed so much it is realy good but very sad but luckly there is a happy ending but it wont make up for all those innocent deaths of women children babys and men . they would be told 2 go to the showers if they could not work but they would secretly be going into the gas chambers where you could hear the screams .the babys screams were the most horrific but in spite of it all it is a great film and it really shows what like was like in ww2 and what it takes 2 survive.
  
  
• Great TV Movie
  By A8PU2U6W5HLVB on 2005-03-11
  Really a great movie for the first timer. If you have studyed the holocaust at all a little lacking in realism. But this is a TV movie. Great actors and acting. This is the story of the biggest escape from a KZ during WWII. A far less sucesful escape attempt was at treblinka KZ. This escape brought the close of Sobibor Death Camp. Based on true accounts and eye witness reports. The fact that they leave out the brutality of this era will be good for some people who have a hard time copeing with the violence of some holocaust shows. over all well worth the time and money to see and own.
  
  
• How a Holocaust movie should be
  By A1BD0IDVL32T2B on 2006-01-12
  I never understood the immense praise of "Schindler's list". True, the stroy is compelling and important enough, but the way filmmaker Spielberg brings it to the screen, with an avalanche of rather cheap gadges like bombastic music, self-indulgend camerawork, melodramatic subplots and a range of over-acting, make for a film that drowns halfway in form. And this is a sad thing, especially for an important movie like this, which tackles the most horrific events in modern history.
  The director and his technical crew should have taken a few steps backward and let the dramatic events speak for themselves, for they are dramatic enough.
  
  Two movies with the Holocaust as background which are to me great examples of how it could and should be done are the made-for-tv "Escape from Sobibor" and a tiny, unknown Polish film called "Korczak", made by veteran director Andrej Wajda and the even so veteran cameraman Robby M?ller. Both are stand-out artists whose presence in this movie goes almost unnoticed.
  The story is what counts here and all technical matters are there just to `observe' the happennings, brought by the script, rather that emphasize it (and hereby over-do it, like in the Spielberg thing). The result is a great tale told in a small and sober way. The effect is enormous.
  The same can be said about the just mentionned "Escape from Sobibor".
  
  It tells the based-on-facts tale of the big escape from deathcamp Sobibor. Alan Arkin, who is perfectly cast as the face of `any ordinary man' witnesses the cruelty in the camp and slowly comes to realise that escape, how sheer impossible it might seem, is the only chance of survival.
  However the movie doesn't concentrate on one leading person, but is more of a mosaic of characters who are forced to do extraordinary things in horrible circumstances.
  No `straining after effects', but just an arresting tale extremely well told and with a sense of reality that is almost unmatched.
  
  
  
  
• grim but defiant
  By A1XAR44IW48IEK on 2006-05-02
  I saw this film when it first came out on televion before it was released as a video and I do recall some scenes that the video does not have and wish they would be restored.
  
  None the less, this grim gritty horror packed film is a true reflection of what happened here. An honest tribute to the Jews who faught back and died and those who fled and survived to tell the world. Thanks to them One less Death camp operated and the world now knows their story. The parts cut out don't cut into that.
  
  A good film for those interested in this period though not for the faint of heart.
  
  
• Excellent movie - terrible DVD
  By A2E1S4Q5VLPML9 on 2006-12-14
  I agree with other comments that have been made about the poor quality of
  this 'digitally remastered' DVD. The picture quality is terrible, and the
  movie has been abridged. This story deserves better.
  
  
• Where's the rest of it?
  By A2N4PJBSMMSULP on 2007-02-20
  This is a wonderful movie, in its entirety. I have tried time and again to get all of it on DVD or VHS, but every copy I see has been edited. I don't know why. Some of the more revolting scenes, Moses going into Camp 3, for example, were left in while some scenes, conversations with the prisoners, the love scene between Schlomo and Barje, Schlomo's stealing the guns, were left out. I believe that to appreciate this movie completely, viewers must have the whole movie. I am holding out for a dvd at least 30 minutes longer than this one.
  
  
• Painful, but honest
  By A28GAY3EV2F1R3 on 1999-10-25
  History dramatized; Neither sugar-coated, nor melodramatic. Too graphic and true to life for young children. Effective teaching tool for high school ages.
  
  
• Factually accurate; short on sophistication.
  By A32C0SAIQF3LWK on 1999-04-24
  Historically accurate account of the Sobibor escape. Presented a compelling story of how one small event- the accidental introduction of Russian soldiers- changed the perspective of the camp Jews. They wanted to rebel, but did not know how; the Russians taught them how. As a made-for-TV movie, it lacked a deep understanding of the period and event, but-because it is pretty straight forward drama- it is more than adequate to meet the needs of a classroom. I am currently using it in my 10th grade history class to teach still another aspect of The Holocaust.
  
  
• Has made-for-television feel but still makes an impact
  By AFAK9TIX0QYV6 on 1998-08-05
  Based on Richard Rashke's account of the only successful organised Jewish uprising against Nazis from within death-camp barbed wire, "Escape from Sobibor" is an admirable effort adapted for film. Despite its often melodramatic made-for-TV overtones (something cliche'd and rather inappropriate for such a weighty and sombering event in human history), the film captures the painful struggles, defiance against the ugliest of tyranny, and ultimate triumph of the Jewish prisoners over their oppressors. Unlike "Schindler's List," which unfortunately represented its Jewish characters in a one-dimensional and consistently passive light, this film presents us with strong, well-developed characters, from numerous backgrounds and levels of experience, who are justifiably angry and rebellious against the Nazis. The characters are well-acted, with all the passion, heart, spirit, and SOUL it undoubtedly must take to play such demanding and emotionally draining role! s. I recommend this movie fully; it will touch viewers with the spirit of sorrow amid triumph, and vice versa. END
  
  
• the vicious truth
  By A2XJC0H684MC8W on 2001-10-02
  If it is drama your after look no further, this has it. If you can take away the price the film was made with you will see a movie that will both shock and amaze you. This true story is a very good account of what happened at sobibor, which was amazingly overshadowed by Auschwitz and Treblinker. The acting performances are very good especially Hauer-Alda.

  IF you appreciate excellent movie making and great story telling do yourself a favour. WATCH THIS!!
  
  

• awesome
  By A1EX69SKB4DRIA on 2007-02-06
  The people depicted in this movie were heroes. They were being abused so it was great to see them take active participation in trying to leave the horrors of the concentration camp.
  
  

• The Grey Zone
• Out of the Ashes
• Uprising
• Holocaust
• Conspiracy