There are films that create wonder in the watcher-this is one such film. The Hiding Place, taken from the Book of Psalms, comes to theatres on August 3, 2023, as a limited-release film from Trafalgar Studios, directed by Laura Matula, featuring performances by Nan Gurley as Corrie ten Boom; Carrie Tillis as Betsie ten Boom; and John Schuck as Casper ten Boom.
Plot
The film is set in 1942 Europe, during the height of the conflicts of World War II, the Boom family, living in Haarlem, Netherlands, settled in an old cooper’s shop, the family makes great strives to survive war-torn conditions at home. The family’s oldest daughter, Corrie, practically runs the family shop, with sister, Betsie helping, too—though her real gifts lie not in metal gears and gizmos, but in floral arranging. Adding fresh color to the family’s drab interiors whenever possible.
Yet, inholding on strongly in the Netherlands, now occupied by Nazi Germany, the Booms are faced with unexpected circumstances-and visitors. The Caspers take on a new shop apprentice, Otto, a young German man, who seems to work far more than he lives. Quoted as saying, “I work as efficiently as possible, and I expect my time to be treated likewise.” As the young German has neither interest nor time in Betsy’s floral innovations, the two are often at odds over time and access within the family business, and home. Seen in the background of various scenes depicting family dinner’s-including dining with SS Officials.
Despite this depravity, other visitors come to the Boom home-Jews, hungry, afraid, and scared. Worsened by the Booms’ hospitality having gotten around, underground resistance messaging, and otherwise. Creating pragmatic conditions for daughter Corrie, who despite her best efforts to minimize unwanted attention, Casper insists on keeping the door spaces, and community communications open. Stating that “In this house, God’s people are always welcome.”
For those familiar with the story of Corrie Boom, you know what follows: lives lost, lives saved, with the hope that always remains. Creating a powerful rendition of a true story of familial sacrifice, forgiveness, redemption, compassion, and purposed joy.
A great scene in the movie is depicted when Otto first came to the Boom home, Corrie stated that “I cannot see what good can come of it.” Afraid of the time when more Jews would come, too. Struggling with her own family’s sorted past. Behind this lingered compassion and understanding that people, and their various religious, gender, races, and socioeconomic statuses, like her beloved flowers, were truly worth aiding, even in the height of skirmishes in the war-town Netherlands. And it is through these differences that the wonder of humanity truly blooms.
Historic Significance
The heroic take on Corrie ten Boom, by way of her book, The Hiding Place, upon which this stage-to-screen production was based, chronicles her and her family’s work to save nearly 800 Jews during World War II and her later experiences in a German concentration camp. Throughout such trials, she clung to her faith, was later knighted in the Netherlands for her work, and was honored by the newly formed Israeli State, which named her as one of the “Righteous Among the Nations.”
Truly captivating is that Corrie doesn’t begin her journey in the film as that beloved hero. Instead, she is dragged into heroism by her father and sister. The Caspers bravely welcome Jews into his shop despite the dangers they brought unto themselves. Showing strength and compassion to both German occupiers and Jews alike, sharing with audiences the true spirit of the Netherlands,’ despite their occupying forces, the Germans. Who’s familiar essences shine true in another great film quote in which Corrie exclaims, “When we find something in the world that is wrong, we must not hate it. We must help it to become something different. To see something rightly, you must see it with love.” That sensibility seasons the narrative of this warm-hearted film.
Views on the Film
Taking this philosophy to heart, and believing that “Christ stayed in the garden when he knew they would come,” referencing Gethsemane and the Romans, in that, on behalf of the family, Otto would “Stay in my home and hope they will not,” leading the family to more continued perils at the hands of Nazi Inspectors. When the Nazis, do come, taking Betsie and Corrie to a concentration camp, their optimism and compassion remain.
Despite flea-ridden barracks and scant meals, the sisters believe there is still hope and purpose to be found. And in so doing, Betsie the sisters unify their belief in humanity, their faith, and their creator. Forging their family backbone, and story, along the way.
Throughout the film, a Christian ethos is woven into the film’s main plot line and extensive familiar dialogue. Motivating audiences to consider their own faith, choices, and circumstances. An example is the nightly dinner where the Bloom family read from the Bible. As such, various Biblical passages, from both testaments, are depicted throughout the film-reflecting both the difficult season this family finds themselves in as well as that of their guests, colleagues, and community members. Despite this, the Booms never try to convert their Jewish guests but do invite them, along with all their homes guests, to read Scripture aloud nightly. Even as Otto reluctantly exclaims the Bible is a “book of lies” and flatly refuses. To which, the father, Otto, replies, “We have learned better than the keeping of fairy tales.” Stating that “In Holland, we respect even those with whom we disagree.”
Further, the Nazis seen throughout The Hiding Place have little patience with Christianity. One Nazi inquisitor even goes as far as to use Corrie’s faith against her, telling her that lying is a sin. Reminding her that the Bible commands the faithful to respect leaders placed in authority. And when that doesn’t produce fruit, the Nazi suggests that “If there is a God, He’s shown nothing but contempt for the plight of the Booms.” Warning that “Before the end, you will see much more of what your God is willing to allow.”
Later in the film, Betsie proves to be a counterbalance to the clan, as she smuggles a Bible into the concentration camp, and reads it out loud so that others may be comforted in its word. Nightly leading the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Clinging steadfast to her own faith, and her personal truth that “There is no darkness so deep that He is not deeper still.”
Meanwhile, Corrie and Betsie’s brother, Willem, despite their father Otto’s misgivings, announces he’s leaving the ministry to help the elderly. Becoming a key piece in Netherlands’ underground work against the Nazis.
Takeaways
While The Hiding Place is a Christian story, several Jewish faith practices as documented throughout the film. Such as a woman lighting a candle and covering her eyes as she recites a blessing. And despite the unimaginable cruelty set within Nazi concentration camps, were places of unimaginable cruelty, violence, and death. As viewers aren’t subjected to graphic visual depictions of violence, yet are given a true sense of the tragedy depicted there. Sharing Nazis vandalizing, theft, and humanist blasphemy. Including the stealing of gold fillings and the teeth of interred camp prisoners. As women gently hold the sides of their faces in unison, illustrating the pain and loss of their health and humanity. In another scene, a man is tortured by Nazis, depicting the crucifixion of Christ, as a Nazi pulls out a revolver, killing the prisoner, and causing an uprising of violence within the camp itself.
With fairness and transparency in mind, the film shows locals and prisoners alike, accousted by Nazi agents. Others die from communicable, yet curable, illnesses. Or conditions within the camp, including the rampancy of lice, and inclement weather. The prisoners are plastered with an embroidered triangle on their person, indicating what crime they committed against the Reich-with red indicating a political prisoner; green meaning they’ve broken a law; and yellow indicating the crime of being born Jewish. While audiences are told of a death of an elderly gentleman, who’s buried in an unmarked grave as onlookers laugh. Having lost my own father figure, Danny, in an LGBTQIA Hate Crime in 2000, bringing home the true gravitas of the film.
While in the camps, Corrie does do things that would run counter to biblical teachings. Taking ration cards to feed the ten Booms’ Jewish guests, lying to Nazis officers, and while in a concentration camp, Corrie and others work to build faulty radio equipment, to throw off Nazi lines of communication in-camp. Showing that sometimes humanity’s best work isn’t Biblically-based.
Conclusion
Corrie ten Boom’s autobiographical The Hiding Place, published in 1971, and this latest depiction, is a truly heartwarming depiction of, her story. In this stage-to-screen take on that story, Corrie ten Boom is not its hero-that accolade goes to her father, depicting common mainstream patriarchal Christian cinema fans expect and demand. Despite this, her good works shine through- to her sister, herself, and most importantly, her God.
The film gives watchers, especially women, and girls, the sense that Corrie is not simply a heroine of the silver stage or perhaps a positive footnote in history, that possibly, maybe, Corrie is like me. Perhaps you, too. Sharing that her strength is not in adjudicating those who’ve cast disparity and alienation among her family and guests of her parent’s home. Instead, offering social and familiar empathy with those whom she finds herself amongst-even those who seek her demise. Only, she does so in an uncanny, offhanded way. Leaving viewers to see that the bravest of roads often are paved with the unlikeliest of circumstances.
In The Hiding Place, we see Corrie distracted by life’s gears, the springs, and the cornucopia of instances that change the entirety of her circumstances, allowing her to become whole within her work-aiding Betsie’s figurative love of her flowers and Otto’s pragmatic views. Making Corrie less an untenable heroine of faith, and more a woman of value, even in times of great uncertainty. Giving watchers a sense of how they themselves can make significant changes in their own lives, and that of the framework of humanity, too.
With strong performance and positive stagecraft, The Hiding Place gives viewers hope and faith in themselves and others. Something we can all spend time this season in. Leaving viewers to wonder how their own story will begin, as this film ends.
Friends, I take the opportunity to see this film in theatres this season, too. You can purchase tickets to this film, only in theatres on August 3rd and 5th, here and see my review of the film on Rotten Tomatoes, here. Also, you can find out more about these films on social media with the hashtags #TheHidingPlaceMIN, #TheHidingPlace, and #MomentumInfluencers across social media.
As an added bonus for Theladyprefers2save.com readers, you’ll have the opportunity to win a $10.00 Amazon gift card. To enter, leave a comment below or on my Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter post for the film. Winners will be selected on August 4, 2023- Amazon gift cards will be delivered from Momentum Influencers directly.
Good luck, and happy viewing.
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