Anthropoid is an awfully strange title for a WWII thriller, but don’t let that dissuade you. This true tale brings to light the details behind a very remarkable story. While it isn’t without its share of flaws, the movie gains momentum as it progresses and eventually captivates during its second half.
Set in late 1941, the story begins with Jan Kubis (Jamie Dornan) and Josef Gabcik (Cillian Murphy) parachuting into the Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakian countryside. Operation Anthropoid requires them to get to Prague, lie in wait and assassinate SS General Reinhard Heydrich, creator of the Final Solution and third in command of the Nazi party. They’re helped by members of the resistance, Vanek (Marcin Dorocinski) and Hajsky (Toby Jones). In order to blend in with their surroundings, the pair are housed by a sympathetic family. During their stay, Jan and Josef also form relationships with two women, Marie (Charlotte Le Bon) and Lenka (Anna Geislerová).
Early passages really create a strong sense of fear and paranoia on the part of the protagonists. As they encounter supposed friends and contacts, one can feel the unease and distrust. Their lives are at risk every minute, and their eyes are constantly wandering their surroundings, following the actions of passersby with nervousness and anxiety. As they slowly learn who they can trust, bonds are formed.
Two of the most personal relationships are with Marie and Lenka. However, the romance depicted isn’t as strong as some of the other aspects of the feature. A limited amount of time is spent with the ladies and yet their influence ends up being emotionally profound. It works in the moment. However, one can’t help but think the bonding occurs a little too quickly and isn’t as convincing as it should be. Some of conversations addressing the movie’s themes are a bit forced and stated in an obvious manner.
But that’s not to say that what is occurring onscreen isn’t important and intriguing. Many war movies would simply focus on the ultimate goal of the leads, but this feature resolves to follow events all the way to their natural conclusion. There’s some interesting material here, as Lenka and Josef butt heads over actions and consequences. The characters express deep fears of reprisal; if they accomplish their mission, what will happen to them as well as those who have helped them along the way? These moments and the actions that follow help tear down some of the romanticism present in war films.
The violence is disturbing and the action very cleanly filmed. There are a lot of characters in various environments, both setting up the hit and being pursued. Thankfully, the geography is always well established; the confrontations are clearly depicted and easy to follow. As a result, the assassination attempt as well as its aftermath is continually tense and unnerving. These are the strongest sequences in the film.
This film’s attempt to channel the brutal penalties of conflict feel in many ways inspired by the work of filmmaker Andrzej Wajda and his War Trilogy. Ultimately, this effort isn’t quite as powerful. It’s bleak but it does try to throw in a bit of light amidst the darkness of the story, albeit briefly. On a personal level, a final “vision” (which admittedly can be interpreted in several ways) blunts some of the impact of the denouement – in my view, if you’re going to go for gloomy, you might as well completely commit to it. However, it’s still a strong climax and this respite is but a minor qualm.
A few caveats aside, Anthropoid becomes a potent and gripping WWII biopic as it progresses. It doesn’t appear to deviate too dramatically from the facts and the storytelling offers an extra layer to the tale of two regular heroes taking on a practically impossible mission. The feature is dignified in its intentions and by the close, many will find that the majority of it successful in its aims.