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Bau: Artist at War

Play trailer 2:05 Poster for Bau: Artist at War PG-13 Now Playing 2h 10m Drama Romance War History Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 6 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Bau, Artist at War is the extraordinary true story of Joseph Bau, a man who defied the darkness of the Holocaust with art, humor, and an unbreakable spirit. A gifted artist and master forger, Joseph risked his life to save others, using his talent to create false documents that helped fellow prisoners escape certain death. But in the depths of despair, he discovered something even more powerful... love. In the Plaszow concentration camp, amid relentless brutality, Joseph met Rebecca -- a woman whose courage matched his own. Their secret wedding, held in the very heart of hell itself, was a defiant act of love in the face of unimaginable horror -- an event later immortalized in Schindler's List. Years later, when Joseph is called to testify against the sadistic Nazi officer who tormented him, he is forced to relive the horrors of his past. But through it all, he draws strength from the love that saved him, the art that sustained him, and the unyielding will that kept him alive. A gripping war drama, a daring espionage thriller, and one of the greatest love stories of our time, Bau, Artist at War is a testament to the power of resilience, the triumph of the human spirit, and the unbreakable bonds that even war could not destroy.
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Bau: Artist at War

Critics Reviews

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Nora Lee Mandel Maven's Nest Makes movingly clear their marriage in a concentration camp in "Schindler's List" was just a small part of Baus’ lives and their significance in the Holocaust plus. Uses impressive mix of archival footage, animation, and Bau’s serious and satirical art Rated: 8/10 Oct 6, 2025 Full Review Ria Dhull Spectrum Culture The lazy portrait McNamara creates of Joseph Bau unwittingly displays the man as obsequious, too willing to use his artistic talents in service of any authoritative figure. Sep 30, 2025 Full Review Liam Lacey Original Cin In its aim to serve as inspirational entertainment, the story of artist and Holocaust survivor Joseph Bau plays like an unintentional parody of the ethically and aesthetically entangled genre. Rated: C- Sep 26, 2025 Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Captivating, heartfelt and inspirational. A powerful protest against war, hate and intolerance. Emile Hirsch gives one of the best performances of his career. Sep 26, 2025 Full Review Mark Dujsik Mark Reviews Movies [T]here is nothing visually or, apart from its sometimes-jarring tone, narratively unique about this movie. Rated: 2/4 Sep 25, 2025 Full Review Bobby LePire Film Threat The directing is spot on and innovative, creating a beautiful yet haunting look to the proceedings. Rated: 8.5/10 Sep 12, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Oscar Very. Powerful movie. Great movie would highly recommend Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/25 Full Review Peter L Fantastic story, very well done, necessarily graphic in some parts. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/04/25 Full Review Anita M Loved the true love story and the true story about the holocaust. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/02/25 Full Review Carol Amazing true story. Im humbled. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/02/25 Full Review Alisa One of the best movies I've ever seen! The actors were great and the story of resilience and hope is such a wonderful testimony that one can survive even the darkest night. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/25 Full Review Diane Fabulous movie. Hits all emotions. Highly recommend seeing this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/01/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Bau: Artist at War

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Movie Info

Synopsis Bau, Artist at War is the extraordinary true story of Joseph Bau, a man who defied the darkness of the Holocaust with art, humor, and an unbreakable spirit. A gifted artist and master forger, Joseph risked his life to save others, using his talent to create false documents that helped fellow prisoners escape certain death. But in the depths of despair, he discovered something even more powerful... love. In the Plaszow concentration camp, amid relentless brutality, Joseph met Rebecca -- a woman whose courage matched his own. Their secret wedding, held in the very heart of hell itself, was a defiant act of love in the face of unimaginable horror -- an event later immortalized in Schindler's List. Years later, when Joseph is called to testify against the sadistic Nazi officer who tormented him, he is forced to relive the horrors of his past. But through it all, he draws strength from the love that saved him, the art that sustained him, and the unyielding will that kept him alive. A gripping war drama, a daring espionage thriller, and one of the greatest love stories of our time, Bau, Artist at War is a testament to the power of resilience, the triumph of the human spirit, and the unbreakable bonds that even war could not destroy.
Director
Sean McNamara
Producer
David Brookwell, Sean McNamara, Deborah Smerecnik, Marc Griffith, Michelle P Griffith
Screenwriter
Deborah Smerecnik, Ronald Bass, Sonia Kifferstein
Distributor
ShowBiz Direct / Republic Pictures
Production Co
Brookwell-McNamara Entertainment, Busy Bee Film Production, Iron Image Media
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Language|Smoking|Partial Nudity|Strong Violent Content|Suggestive Material)
Genre
Drama, Romance, War, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 26, 2025, Limited
Runtime
2h 10m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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