Irena’s Vow reveals the complex moral choices a Polish Catholic woman faced during the Holocaust

By Ann Margaret Lewis

Many important films exist about the Jewish Holocaust of World War II, among them Schindler’s List and Life is Beautiful. Irena’s Vow, an intense film about a young woman’s devotion to life and the complex challenges she faced, should be counted among those movies.

While this production is rated R for intense scenes of violence as well as (non-graphic) sexual themes, it reveals the true story of a Polish Catholic woman who made agonizing choices, some moral, some not, to save the lives of 12 hunted Jews by hiding them in the cellar of a German officer’s home where she served as housekeeper.

Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets, The Book Thief) skillfully plays the titular character Irena Gut, whose resilience in the face of horrors that defied comprehension and adaptability in sticky situations make her an admirable heroine. With her powerful performance, Nélisse manages to display a Catholic conscience through Irena’s eyes that is both conflicted and resolved at the same time.

The film is a Canadian and Polish co-production and employs many actors who would probably be unknown to American audiences. Those who watch British drama might be familiar with Emmy and BAFTA-winning Scottish actor and producer Dougray Scott, who artfully portrays Major Rugmer, Irena’s ambivalent boss.

The entire cast gives impressive and convincing performances. The production itself, the directing, set and costume creation, editing, are all well done. The script, based on a stage play by the same writer Dan Gordon, a nominee for the Canadian Academy Award, is a solid piece of writing, giving actors room to live in their roles.

This is a strong film with only one disadvantage—and that is that other strong films have been made on the same subject matter, and viewers are likely to make comparisons. It is similar to Schindler’s List in that it tells the story of someone who makes a decision to save Jewish lives at the risk of her own with all the tension that entails. Irena’s story, however, is a unique one, and she is so compellingly portrayed that it’s worth watching on its own merits.

As the film is rated R, and the violence can be shocking, I’d not recommend this film for younger viewers. Irena’s Vow will be available in theaters through Fathom events only on April 15 and 16. To find a theater, go to fathomevents.com/events/irenas-vow. †