John Rabe

Name: John Rabe
Director: Florian Gallenberger
Released: 2009

Synopsis

A true-story account of a German businessman who saved more than 200,000 Chinese during the Nanjing massacre in 1937-38.

80
Movieline
Gallenberger tells Rabe’s story deftly, establishing essential elements of the man’s personality in subtle shorthand.
70
The Hollywood Reporter
The 134-minute film jams in much information, incidents and characters without losing any entertainment value. And, fortunately, its heroism isn't pumped up or glorified.
60
Boxoffice Magazine
Boasting impressive production values, engaging storytelling and a standout lead performance by German star Ulrich Tukur, John Rabe will receive enthusiastic word of mouth from select arthouse audiences.
60
Time Out
Packs a forceful punch.
60
NPR
Triumph seems the wrong note for a feature film about mass murder. Yet Gallenberger insists on an old-school historical melodrama, with the darkest of terrors leavened by humor, tenderness and even romance. It's only the terror that rings true.
58
The A.V. Club
In spite of a subtle performance by Ulrich Tukur in the eponymous role, Gallenberger’s film feels labored and emotionally disengaged, an autumn-hued history lesson that’s as studiously reserved as its steel-spined subject.
50
Variety
Despite the emotive subject matter, picture is often too sluggish dramatically, and never knits together its stock Western characters into a satisfying whole.
50
Village Voice
It's a remarkable story, and filmmaker Florian Gallenberger does his best to shade his portrait with complications and mitigations. But for a story not often told, John Rabe feels awfully familiar.