Operation Anthropoid was the code name given to the 1942 attempted assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, Hitler’s third in command and one of the chief architects of the Holocaust. The secret mission took place in Prague and was carried out by agents of the exiled Czechoslovakian government. It’s also the subject of Sean Ellis’ new film “Anthropoid”.
“Anthropoid” isn’t the first movie to share this remarkable true story, but it is the first since 1975’s “Operation Daybreak”. Ellis directs, shoots, co-writes, and co-produces this taut wartime thriller that moves from methodical and restrained to intense and explosive in the snap of a finger. This unique shift in pace seems to have been a problem for some people. For me it represented two very different sides of a story that are intrinsically tied together, so much so that their eventual clash was inevitable.
Jozef Gabčík (Cillian Murphy) and Jan Kubiš (Jamie Dornan) are Czech secret agents tasked with carrying out Operation Anthropoid. The two covertly slip into the Nazi-occupied city of Prague where they meet up with the dwindled Czech resistence led by Jan Zelenka-Hajský (Toby Jones). The early part of the film focuses on preparation and reconnaissance. They meet up with the rest of their team and begin planning their mission.
Ellis adds several layers to these early scenes. First is the layer of fear that blankets everyone Jozef and Jan encounter. Heydrich’s brutal presence in Prague has left the resistence in shambles and sympathizers terrorized. So many moments, even quiet ones, are soaked with anxiety and stress. This everpresent tension leads to bouts of distrust, uncertainty, and debates over the consequences of their potential actions.
Jozef and Jan do get vague refuges of normalcy through their relationships with two women sympathetic to the resistance, Lenka (Anna Geislerová) and Marie (Charlotte Le Bon). Both are intriguing characters particularly Lenka who hints at a deeper disdain for the Nazis. Romances spring up which don’t feel forced or out of place, but that are underserviced and I wish they were given more time.
Ellis’ pace shifts and the intensity only gets thicker as the assassination attempt gets closer. The final act is edge-of-your-seat thrilling while also being perfectly (and violently) harmonious with the earlier slow-burning buildup. Ellis’ camerawork in the final act offers up some of the most visually gripping sequences of the year.
One of my favorite things about “Anthropoid” is that it feels grounded and authentic. There is no stilted dialogue or grandiose verbiage. There is no sign of Hollywood formula, overwrought melodrama, or heavy sentimentality. It feels genuine and true to the story it’s telling. And while some may struggle with Jozef and Jan’s lack of backstory, I was drawn to their humanity and invigorated by their valor and conviction. And it is all conveyed without a flashy coat of studio gloss.
“Anthropoid” is refreshingly earnest and subtle. It has confidence in the compelling strength of its story and feels no need to embellish it or the characters. That same confidence allows Ellis to put more of his focus on an accurate historical portrayal. Sure, it may not be a common crowd-pleasing approach, but when it comes together this potently I can’t help but love it.
VERDICT – 4.5 STARS
keithandthemovies.com 
You’ve gotta admire the resiliency of one Jamie Dornan. Bouncing back after that Fifty Shades of Grey debacle in what looks (and sounds) like a truly captivating and somber account of wartime atrocity. I look forward to catching this. Good stuff my friend
Thanks Tom. You’re so right. Dornan really surprised me. Very even and authentic performance. That’s a good description of the entire film. One of my favorites of the year.
I haven’t read this thoroughly yet Keith, I’ll be back when I’ve posted my review but I think we’re in agreement about this one 🙂
AWESOME! Can’t wait to read your thoughts. I’m a bit disappointed more people aren’t talking about this one. I know the smaller release contributes to that, but I wonder if many aren’t paying it attention.
Yeah it seems that way. Same w/ the film I just reviewed, even though it has a very high profile actor in the lead.
It’s a shame especially when you see so many other movies that everyone know (Sausage Party, Suicide Squad, etc.). Sigh….
I don’t mind films in the genre but I really have to be in the mood for them, you know? I would probably have overlooked this had it not been for your high score and when you mentioned Sean Ellis. I’ve been waiting on another film from him after loving Cashback. I wondered what he was up to.
It is a gem bro, one of my favorites of the year. I’m not surprised to see it getting little to no buzz. It’s slow-burning (but utterly enthralling) first half doesn’t go for the normal crowd-pleasing grabs. But I loved the approach. There isn’t a single false or disingenuous scene in the entire film. It also has one of the most intense action sequences you’ll find and without the normal shaky cameras and CGI. Just fabulous.
You’re selling it even more, man. It’s on my list now! 🙂
Excellent. If time allows I would love to read your review of it.
It picks up in the final two acts, but the characters were a little too dry. Nice review Keith.
Thanks man. I really loved the characterization. They were a tad dry but I felt with reason. They were scared, paranoid, uncertain. I liked how Ellis stuck with that instead of sloshing on layers of manufactured drama.
Okay, you had me sold at “Cillian Murphy”. We can also add the era and the story – totally fascinated by it. This sounds really good, so will definitely be checking it out. Great review!
It’s fabulous and one of my favorites of the year. Far from the normal Hollywood approach to this kind of material, but I say that in the best of ways!
Terrific stuff. This one has pretty much passed me by but the great early reviews suggest I need to put this higher on my priority list.
Thanks Dan. This film has gotten practically no press whatsoever. It’s a shame. It truly deserves an audience. One of my favorites of the year so far.
Pingback: Top 10 movies of 2016? You choose. | Global News
Love your take on this movie. The assassination sequence had me quite literally gripping the edges of my seat! Also agree with your thoughts about how genuine the film feels. The lack of typical Hollywood flare left more time to focus on the people and the weight of what they were asked to endure. Definitely a movie that left me with a lot to think about!
Same here. And your comparison to Operation Finale is a good one.