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Triumph of the Spirit

Play trailer Poster for Triumph of the Spirit R Released Dec 8, 1989 2h 1m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In Greece during World War II, Salamo Arouch (Willem Dafoe), a young Jewish boxer, meets regularly with girlfriend Allegra (Wendy Gazelle) until they and their families are sent to Auschwitz. When the Nazis learn of his boxing record, they force him to participate in weekly boxing matches, threatening his family if he refuses. Salamo fights well, despite knowing every person he defeats will be killed. As Allegra sustains him, Salamo fights for the extra rations that will keep his father alive.
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Triumph of the Spirit

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Blinded by the fact that the story is based on a man's life, that it "actually happened," the film seems to assume that the message is in the very accuracy itself. But at the end we feel confused and unsatisfied. Rated: 1/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Jeffrey Lyons Video Review If this sounds depressing and difficult to endure, well, it is. But it is also a gripping, powerful movie, with performances as forceful as the screenplay. Rated: 3/4 Aug 5, 2022 Full Review Ryan Murphy Miami Herald Triumph is spooky, and it is winningly effective that way. Rated: 3/4 Aug 17, 2021 Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Rated: 3/5 Oct 9, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Aug 1, 2005 Full Review Bob Grimm Las Vegas Mercury Rated: 3/5 May 19, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Sometimes frustrating overall solid. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Wow, I'm shocked by the reviews, I must had miss something. I really enjoyed this movie. The only reason I'm giving this a 4 and not 5 because of what the reviews are saying which make me feel like must had miss something. I see not one single 4. The highest was a 3 and a half. And Roger gave it an 1 star. I don't know. I enjoyed this movie and understood the message unlike some people. You know. I'm giving a 5. The hell with you people. It's the best holocaust movie but it's also a piece of garbage. Maybe I got to see it again. I don't know. A good movie in my eyes. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member A very confusing film. The story does capture your attention, but it's so poorly structured and paced that you stop caring about halfway through it. Then again, Dafoe, Olmos, and Loggia give strong enough performances that you start caring again. Director Robert Young seems more interested in heaping more and more drama on top of an already tragic and terrifying story, and sometimes the punches hit a lot less strong. But in the end, the film has some moving pieces, and might keep you interested. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Harrowing portrayal of life in a Nazi concentration camp during WW2, based on a true story. Interesting, engaging plot. Maybe doesn't explore the moral dilemmas of the main character thoroughly enough. Also, a bit more explanation of certain events would have been in order. Great performance from WIllem Dafoe. Decent supporting cast. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Probably the first movie in which I'm seeing Willem Dafoe in a lead protagonist role. And regarding the movie, its pretty watchable and all of those jail sequences are pretty well portrayed. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Bad portrayal of the atrocities and hardships that took place back then. I lost interest about half way through. Only reason i gave it 2 stars was because it was actually filmed at Auschwitz. At least they got that right! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Triumph of the Spirit

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Triumph of the Spirit

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Greece during World War II, Salamo Arouch (Willem Dafoe), a young Jewish boxer, meets regularly with girlfriend Allegra (Wendy Gazelle) until they and their families are sent to Auschwitz. When the Nazis learn of his boxing record, they force him to participate in weekly boxing matches, threatening his family if he refuses. Salamo fights well, despite knowing every person he defeats will be killed. As Allegra sustains him, Salamo fights for the extra rations that will keep his father alive.
Director
Robert M. Young
Producer
Shimon Arama, Arnold Kopelson
Screenwriter
Andrzej Krakowski, Laurence Heath
Production Co
Nova International Films
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 8, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$163.6K
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Surround
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