Parents' Guide to

Walking with the Enemy

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Cliches, subpar acting undercut effect of Holocaust drama.

Movie PG-13 2014 126 minutes
Walking with the Enemy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 16+

Based on 2 parent reviews

OliviaReviewsIt
OliviaReviewsIt Adult
June 7, 2021
age 16+

Hungarian Resistance Against Nazis and One Unlikely Hero

This film tells the story of a Hungarian Jew who takes a stand against the Arrow Cross Party (the Hungarian fascists in league with the Nazis) and the German SS. Donning an SS uniform, the main character of this film, Elek Cohen, tries to save as many Jews as he can, often throwing himself in harms way and being forced to endure the constant scenes of death. He never gives up, saying that the Nazis took everything from him and that he has nothing left to lose. It's a very heartbreaking story, one that shows the evil of mankind, not only the Germans, but also how the Jews' Hungarian neighbors turned against them and allied with Hitler. This film contains a lot of Holocaust and war violence. Most of the shootings take place off-screen (there's no gore) but it's still very intense for younger viewers. There's one scene where a soldier follows a girl home and tries to violate her while she is screaming. It's a disturbing scene but there's nothing explicit or anything like that. Mild language. A few kisses. 4/5.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
HannahJG
HannahJG Adult
May 20, 2021
age 16+

Excellent quality, very good movie

Not going to lie, this is an INTENSE movie. It starts off a little more relaxed, but once it gets going, it never lets up. No serious swearing, but a lot of violence. Be prepared for a tough but GOOD movie. Excellent acting, and overall, just a great quality film.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

WALKING WITH THE ENEMY was inspired by historical events during World War II. At the start of 1944, in the last full year of the war, Hungary -- a member of the Axis powers -- had managed to somehow keep their population of 800,000 Jews relatively safe compared to other European Jews. But as it becomes clear that Regent Miklos Horthy (Ben Kingsley) is trying to join the Allies, the Nazis occupy the country and put a known anti-Semite in charge, with the plan being to deport the entire Hungarian Jewish community to Auschwitz. After escaping a labor detail, Elek Cohen (Jonas Armstrong) returns to his family home, only to discover it appropriated by a local Christian family. Displaced and living with other Jews working with the Swiss to secure safe passage and documents, Elek eventually takes his resistance to the next level by disguising himself as an SS officer, an act that allows him to save many but puts him -- and his circle of friends -- in tremendous danger.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The three interconnected stories about Hungary in the last year of the war are all compelling, but blended together in this melodramatic retelling, none of them is given quite the due it deserves. Kingsley is underused as Horthy, a fascinating historical figure who was an admitted Conservative and anti-Semite but who nonetheless refused to turn over Hungary's Jews until the very end of his time as regent, when Germany no longer trusted its ally to toe the Axis line. And the part of the movie about Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz, who helped a reported 3,000 Hungarian Jews, is also under-explained, despite all the subtitles.

Instead, the movie focuses on Cohen, who's based on Pinchas Rosenbaum, a 21-year-old Hungarian Jew who really did disguise himself -- albeit as an Iron Cross soldier, not an SS officer -- during the war. His story is heartbreaking and worthy of recognition, but this movie plays out more like an overly sentimental melodrama than the poignant Holocaust drama it clearly wants to be. The amateurish performances by many of the supporting actors (so many terrible accents!), the overwrought score, and the cliche-filled dialogue make it difficult to invest in this movie. At the very least, Walking with the Enemy could foster interest in a little-depicted part of World War II.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why movies about World War II and the Holocaust like Walking with the Enemy are still being made. What connection do stories about these events have with today's world? Why is it important to understand history? How do movies help us do that?

  • Elek's bravery saved some but not others, and, in a couple of cases, his choices led to friends being killed. Do you think his decisions were justified?

  • Not only does Walking with the Enemy highlight the true story of the young Jewish man who disguised himself as an SS officer, but it also introduces viewers to the Hungarian leader who tried to resist the Nazi occupation and the Swiss official who tried to help Jews get Swiss passports. Which story did you find the most compelling? Does the movie make you want to learn more about these unsung heroes?

Movie Details

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