In the Works: a Movie about Conscientious Objector Bl. Franz Jägerstätter

I was delighted to see that Terrence Malick is now in the process of making a film about Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, the Catholic conscientious objector who was executed for refusing to fight the Nazis, and for generally loathing National Socialism. Variety reports:

Berlinale: Mister Smith Sells Terrence Malick’s ‘Radegund’ to UGC For France (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/jwZ0E3He7j pic.twitter.com/JUxivmMFES

— Variety_Film (@Variety_Film) February 10, 2017

Malick’s work has been rather hit-or-miss in recent years, but given the subject matter, my hope is that it measures up to Malick’s The Thin Red Line, which is not a perfect movie, but is certainly memorable.

I wrote this lengthy article on Jägerstätter back in 2012, noting:

It is still possible for now in many cases to say “no” without risking death or a lengthy prison term. But the time may come when it is not as easy, and then many will face choices like those faced by Jägerstätter. But even then, refusing to obey will, in the words of Jägerstätter, “free that individual’s soul.” It is always still possible to do something, and according to Fr. John Dear, “In an insane world, Franz points the way: refuse to fight, refuse to kill, refuse to be complicit in warmaking, refuse to compromise.”

Jägerstätter’s letters to his wife from prison were published in English in 2009.