Watch Naked Among Wolves

Set in the Buchenwald concentration camp during World War II, Naked Among Wolves is a German drama film adapted from a novel of the same name by Bruno Apitz. The story revolves around the struggles of prisoners who attempt to save a young Polish boy from being executed by the Nazis. The film begins with a group of communist prisoners receiving a sack of food out of nowhere. To their shock, they find a naked, starving, and frightened Jewish boy, hiding inside the sack. The boy's name is Stefan Jäger, and he was sent to the concentration camp to face certain death. The prisoners form a plan to keep the boy hidden from the German guards, even though this puts their own lives at risk.

The lead character of the film is a political prisoner named André Höfel, who is depicted as a brave and principled man. André is initially hesitant about taking the risk of hiding the boy, but he eventually decides to do so after realizing that it's the right thing to do. As the story progresses, we see André and his fellow prisoners doing everything in their power to keep Stefan hidden from the guards, even as tensions mount among them.

One of the detainees named Fajngold is a Jewish tailor who is initially resistant to the idea of taking in the boy because of the fear that it will put his life in danger. However, when the camp commander discovers Stefan's existence, Fajngold steps forward to sew a new set of clothes for Stefan, claiming the boy as his apprentice.

Meanwhile, a Gestapo officer named Gebhardt tries to flush out the boy and threatens the prisoners with severe punishment. The prisoners try to create diversions and smuggle Stefan from one hiding spot to another to avoid being caught. The tension builds up to the point where Stefan's fate and the lives of those who try to protect him hang in the balance.

Florian Stetter portrays the role of André Höfel with conviction and depth, depicting him as a hero who risks everything to save the life of an innocent child. Peter Schneider plays the part of Fajngold perfectly, adding a subtle layer of complexity to his character. Sylvester Groth's portrayal of the Gestapo officer is chilling and terrifying, yet compassionate in certain critical situations.

Director Philipp Kadelbach has created a film that is emotionally powerful, intense, and highly moving. The scenes at the concentration camp are depicted with sensitivity and realism, without resorting to gratuitous violence or gore. The black and white cinematography adds to the feel of the film, creating a sense of gloom and desperation.

One of the key themes of the film is the idea that humanity can survive even in the most extreme situations. The prisoners in the Buchenwald concentration camp are depicted as being united in their efforts to save the life of Stefan Jäger, and they do so at great personal risk. This idea of selflessness and solidarity is a poignant one that speaks to the fundamental goodness of humanity.

Overall, Naked Among Wolves is an outstanding movie that tells a story of hope, courage, and sacrifice in the midst of one of the darkest periods in human history. The film will leave you moved and inspired, and is highly recommended for anyone interested in thoughtful and powerful storytelling.

Naked Among Wolves is a 2015 history movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.