This documentary is based on an account by George Wittenstein about the distribution of resistant leaflets by two college students, Hans and Sofie Scholl.
I like both the story line and the content. It is a very realistic portrayal of an historical event. The use of animation is a poetic addition, as the filmmaker uses an animated flower with leaflets as petals to move between scenes. The use of shots of the actual leaflets and archival footage of Nazi films create the tension that depicts the environment of Nazi Germany. I like how they include images of quotes from the leaflets onto the screen so you can read those, because you can't read what's on the leaflets themselves. The only shortcoming is that the quotes are onscreen for such a short time that you don't have time to read the entire quote. The animated eyes, which represent what is seen or not seen, is a clever way to illustrate the "seeing" and "not seeing." The ending, when the last page falls from the "flower," aptly relays the tragedy of the story. Using animation to tell the story is very appropriate and clever. The people in the documentary are all real, as shown in the archival footage. The shots of the leaflets and the original films provide insight into what actually happened during the Nazi occupation. The background music helps develop the appropriate amount of tension to fit the subject matter and the shots. The compelling images in this documentary begin with the flowers, dropping the leaflets as if they are petals on the flower. The other images are of people, primarily Nazis, from old footage. They are very effective in telling the story. My favorite part is the use of the animation.
This short film reminds us that history repeats itself and how easily it is to use propaganda to influence people. For example, today we are seeing state-run media in Russia misinforming their population about the invasion by Russia on Ukraine.
I give The White Rose 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It provides an excellent history of the resistance by the two German students to the Nazis. Reviewed by Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
This documentary is based on an account by George Wittenstein about the distribution of resistant leaflets by two college students, Hans and Sofie Scholl.
I like both the story line and the content. It is a very realistic portrayal of an historical event. The use of animation is a poetic addition, as the filmmaker uses an animated flower with leaflets as petals to move between scenes. The use of shots of the actual leaflets and archival footage of Nazi films create the tension that depicts the environment of Nazi Germany. I like how they include images of quotes from the leaflets onto the screen so you can read those, because you can't read what's on the leaflets themselves. The only shortcoming is that the quotes are onscreen for such a short time that you don't have time to read the entire quote. The animated eyes, which represent what is seen or not seen, is a clever way to illustrate the "seeing" and "not seeing." The ending, when the last page falls from the "flower," aptly relays the tragedy of the story. Using animation to tell the story is very appropriate and clever. The people in the documentary are all real, as shown in the archival footage. The shots of the leaflets and the original films provide insight into what actually happened during the Nazi occupation. The background music helps develop the appropriate amount of tension to fit the subject matter and the shots. The compelling images in this documentary begin with the flowers, dropping the leaflets as if they are petals on the flower. The other images are of people, primarily Nazis, from old footage. They are very effective in telling the story. My favorite part is the use of the animation.
This short film reminds us that history repeats itself and how easily it is to use propaganda to influence people. For example, today we are seeing state-run media in Russia misinforming their population about the invasion by Russia on Ukraine.
I give The White Rose 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It provides an excellent history of the resistance by the two German students to the Nazis. Reviewed by Pamela L., KIDS FIRST!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local: Submit a review & win!
