Sophie Nélisse gives what should be a breakout lead performance in “Irena’s Vow”, the new World War II drama from director Louise Archambault. The film is written by Dan Gordon who is adapting his own stage play of the same name. It tells the incredible true story of Irena Gut Opdyke, a young nurse whose heroism in the face of great danger ended up saving twelve Jews from extermination at the hands of the Nazis.

The film takes place in Poland during 1939 as the Nazi occupation of the country was intensifying. 19-year-old Irena Gut (Nélisse) was serving as a nurse in a Polish hospital when she and several others were rounded up by Nazi soldiers and sent to work in an ammunitions factory. Her hard work and distinctly German features earns the favor of an esteemed Nazi officer, Major Edward Rugmer (Dougray Scott). He assigns her to the kitchen staff at a Nazi officer’s headquarters.

In the kitchen Irena works under a stately former innkeeper named Schultz (Andrzej Seweryn) who sees his daughter in his new worker. Schultz immediately gives Irena advice on how to survive in her new circumstances. He then informs her that her job will also include being in charge of twelve Jewish tailors who work in the laundry. The compassionate and sympathetic Irena quickly earns the trust of the workers and she develops a close affection for them.

Irena’s perspective is forever changed after she witnesses an act of unspeakable savagery at the hands of an ambitious Nazi officer named Rakita (Maciej Nawrocki). Though helpless in that moment, Irena pledges to do everything she can to save as many lives as she can. And it starts with her twelve Jewish friends. After Major Rugmer promotes her to be his personal housekeeper, Irena devises a desperate plan to hide the twelve Jews from the intensifying Nazi aggression. And she picks a place where no one would think to look – in the rural villa of a high-ranking Nazi officer.

It truly is a remarkable story and one that would almost defy believability if it hadn’t really happened. At the same time “Irena’s Vow” doesn’t feel especially unique when compared with other Holocaust movies of its kind. Still, Archambault creates some good tension and builds a suitable amount of suspense. And the performances are all-around terrific starting with Nélisse who is savvy beyond her years and really earns our emotional investment. Scott brings a surprising nuance to Rugmer while Nawrocki’s boyish good looks make Nawrocki’s cold brutality all the more sinister.

It’s hard not to moved by “Irena’s Vow” and the remarkable true story of courage and sacrifice it tells. Louise Archambault’s direction is assured and focused while Sophie Nélisse, though not a newcomer, is an actress to keep your eye on. Here she offers a compelling portrayal of Irena Gut Opdyke, showing her to be smart, resourceful, and a quick thinker with an ability to adapt on the fly. She’s the epitome of a hero, and it’s so good that filmmaker’s are still using their time and talents to share inspiring and illuminating true accounts like her’s.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS