A Hidden Life (2019) | agoodmovietowatch

Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans

A Hidden Life 8.2 2019 Movie

A Hidden Life

Dir. Terrence Malick · Germany, Italy · English, German

The lyrical wizardry of Terrence Malick

Fubo Amazon Video Apple Itunes Youtube

Our take by Bilal Zouheir

Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life) is back in full form with this three-hour movie based on a true story. His creation has one of the most beautiful depictions of happiness ever seen in film, portraying the simple yet joyous life of a farmer in the Austrian mountains. You’d have to see it for yourself to understand, but how Malick depicts this character’s love for his wife (and her love for him), their children, and even their farming rituals are nothing short of cinematic wizardry. 

This peaceful existence changes when World War 2 intensifies and this farmer is called to serve for the Nazis. He refuses to enroll out of principle and puts himself and his family at great danger and alienation from their village. The question at the center of the film is one that other villagers and the church ask him a lot: what good can his actions do? And the title of the movie is taken from A George Eliot quote: “The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”

What happens

Austrian farmer Franz Jägerstätter faces the threat of execution for refusing to fight for the Nazis during World War II.

What the critics said

Notable Critics

"An exquisitely emotional and thorough account of an individual resisting state fascism."

— Sophie Monks Kaufman

"We shouldn't be so smug as to assume that we would always know the right thing to do, or even be brave enough to do it, Malick seems to say. A true act of resistance should crack our universe open."

— Bilge Ebiri

Comments

  1. This movie is such a beautiful poetic experience. You cannot control but feel each and every character. The tone, background score all adds to its awesomeness. One of a kind war movie where war is hidden from the audience but still we will the impact of war through the lives of these simple farmers.

Add your review

Your email address will not be published.*

Movies like A Hidden Life

Picked from what we cover, by how often these turn up alongside the same films as A Hidden Life.

Dark Waters (2019)
Dark Waters (2019)
ICYMI
8.0
2019Movie

Dark Waters

Dir. Todd Haynes

Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins star in this well-executed and eye-opening drama based on a true story. Robert…

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
ICYMI
8.2
2019Movie

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Dir. Céline Sciamma & Céline Sciamma

This unique romance is set during a time when a man would be sent the painting of the woman he…

$1.99/MONTH LIMITED-TIME
8.7

Rated 8.5 or above

Berlin
Free
Unlock All
Queen and Slim
Queen and Slim
8.1
2020Movie

Queen and Slim

Dir. Melina Matsoukas

On their drive back from a Tinder date that was only average, a couple are pulled over by a racist…

$1.99/MONTH LIMITED-TIME
ICYMI
TVB
9.1

Rated 8.5 or above

Cannes
Free
Unlock All
Honey Boy (2019)
Honey Boy (2019)
8.4
2019Movie|Spirit · Sundance Winner

Honey Boy

Dir. Alma Har'el & Alma Har'el

There is so much power to this story based actor Shia Laboeuf’s life. As a kid, he lived with his…

Never Look Away (2018)
Never Look Away (2018)
8.4
2018Movie|Sundance

Never Look Away

Dir. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

It’s impossible to describe this incredible movie as one thing or the other. It’s an epic three-hour saga that takes…

$1.99/MONTH LIMITED-TIME
8.6

Rated 8.5 or above

Spirit · Oscar · Cannes
Unlock All

About the author

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir is the founder of A Good Movie to Watch. He is US-based and a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society. He grew up in Morocco, where he learned English from watching movies. Bilal's work with A Good Movie to Watch is focused on offering an alternative to streaming algorithms, which are often used as commercial tools by streaming services.