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Amen

Play trailer Poster for Amen 2003 2h 12m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Nazi officer Kurt Gerstein (Ulrich Tukur), a chemist by training, is assigned to develop a disinfectant to purify water for the German army, but soon discovers that his invention, Zyklon B, is being used to exterminate imprisoned Jews. Horrified, he approaches a number of diplomatic figures with his story, but only Riccardo Fontana (Mathieu Kassovitz), a priest, takes him seriously. Fontana returns to the Vatican but is informed by his superiors that they have more pressing concerns.
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Amen

Amen

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Amen loses some of its impact to a protracted running time and deliberate pace, but Ulrich Tukur's powerful performance helps bring the story's worthy themes to life.

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Critics Reviews

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Eric Henderson Slant Magazine 08/12/2003
Though such elements might chip away somewhat at Amen's seriousness of intent, they do add fire to the stimulating drama. Go to Full Review Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press 07/25/2003
3/4
Costa-Gavras deserves credit for staying the course; in a time when most European film directors are wringing their hands, he's still pointing fingers. Go to Full Review Desson Thomson Washington Post 06/27/2003
Tukur's performance is the centerpiece of the movie; it's a wonderful mixture of outrage and swiftly disappearing naivete. Go to Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com 09/29/2007
4/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/15/2005
3/5
Chris Barsanti Filmcritic.com 09/23/2003
1.5/5
a sputtering, wet firecracker Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sharon J @SharonJ 03/12/2024 Well done, well acted and well filmed, if a little long. The actor looks very much like Kurt Gerstein. I do wonder why they changed the story from the truth, that it was his sister-in-law who was put to death, not his favourite niece. Some great shots of Auschwitz/Birkenau. See more a.l.jude p @judebd 10/12/2021 The best ever historic element or subject to support thus educate the indictment of Catholic Church, Vatican, Pope and the rest of the ignorant bunch for the atrocity and holocausts happened. No better movie or documentary ever did what this movie did. It's compelling to watch the historic events materialized before and during the WWII. See more 11/02/2017 Amen is Gavras at his most generally mainstream: not among his best, even against his more modern films, however there is no way to deny the movie's power, and not be stunned by the horrifyingly sad images. See more 01/26/2016 Not as powerful as expected, kinda cheesy TV-movie scale indeed. See more 04/25/2015 A very good and interesting film. See more 03/10/2015 I was that close to believing that Christians were helping Jews while being massacred by Hitler...A good example of turning the other cheek... See more Read all reviews
Amen

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Costa-Gavras

Director

Ulrich Tukur

Kurt Gerstein

Mathieu Kassovitz

Riccardo Fontana

Ulrich Mühe

Doctor

Michel Duchaussoy

The Cardinal

Ion Caramitru

Count Fontana

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Amen

Amen (2002) Ulrich Tukur as Kurt Gerstein Riccardo Fontana (Mathieu Kassovitz), the Cardinal (Michel Duchaussoy) Kurt Gerstein (Ulrich Tukur) entertains Christmas guests Mathieu Kassovitz as Riccardo Fontana Director Costa-Gavras Mathieu Kassovitz as Riccardo Fontana Amen (2002) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Nazi officer Kurt Gerstein (Ulrich Tukur), a chemist by training, is assigned to develop a disinfectant to purify water for the German army, but soon discovers that his invention, Zyklon B, is being used to exterminate imprisoned Jews. Horrified, he approaches a number of diplomatic figures with his story, but only Riccardo Fontana (Mathieu Kassovitz), a priest, takes him seriously. Fontana returns to the Vatican but is informed by his superiors that they have more pressing concerns.
Director
Costa-Gavras
Producer
Claude Berri
Screenwriter
Costa-Gavras, Jean-Claude Grumberg
Distributor
Kino Pictures
Production Co
Canal Plus, Katharina, Renn Productions, K.G. Productions
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 24, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$274.3K
Runtime
2h 12m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)