A HIDDEN LIFE
An impressionistic masterpiece of Christian courage, love, and steadfast faith.
Should You Watch It?
A HIDDEN LIFE is a glorious tribute to steadfast Christian faith confronting great evil. It tells the true story of an Austrian farmer whose devotion to Christ leads him to resist Hitler, even when that resistance costs him his freedom and places tremendous pressure on his wife and family.
The film’s greatest strengths are its beautiful photography, its powerful expressions of marital love, and its many references to Jesus, God, faith, and Scripture. It contains extremely little objectionable content, with no strong foul language, obscenities, or bloody violence. But its nearly three-hour running time, unhurried pace, and limited dialogue require patience.
If your family includes older children or adults who can appreciate contemplative historical drama, this is worth seeing; for younger children, choose something simpler and lighter.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn 1939, Franz Jägerstätter and his wife, Fani, live with their three young daughters on a peaceful farm in Northern Austria. Their quiet life changes after Hitler annexes Austria and Franz is called to military service.
When Franz is called back to the army in 1943, he refuses to fight on the front lines and refuses to sign a loyalty oath to Hitler. His decision challenges his community, his church leaders, and his family as he tries to remain faithful to his Christian convictions.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exceptional film, and A HIDDEN LIFE earns that rating through its visual beauty, emotional power, and artistic confidence. It is beautifully photographed and works as an impressionistic masterpiece honoring one steadfast Christian man and his loyal, loving wife.
The film avoids lots of dialogue and unfolds at an unhurried pace. Silent scenes of farm life, prayer, imprisonment, family affection, and mountain landscapes are interspersed with narration from the letters Franz and Fani write to each other.
That measured pace may challenge viewers expecting a conventional war drama. For those willing to enter its rhythm, however, the film’s scenes of Christian courage and marital love become deeply moving.
The Worldview
A HIDDEN LIFE presents a very strong Christian, biblical, and moral worldview. Franz’s opposition to Hitler’s violent tyranny grows from his faith in Christ and his conviction that he cannot pledge loyalty to an evil regime. The film includes positive references to Jesus, God, faith, and Scripture, including Matthew 6 and Psalm 23.
The movie exalts steadfast faith, courage, marital love, family devotion, and resistance to tyranny. Franz finds strength in Fani’s love and support, in his daughters’ devotion, and in the biblical truths that guide his conscience. The film also depicts the failure of Catholic church officials who acquiesce to socialist tyranny, along with villagers who shun Franz and Fani when Franz criticizes Hitler and the National Socialist regime.
The film’s central longing is for faithfulness when obedience to God brings suffering. Scripture says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview about an Austrian conscientious objector and devout Roman Catholic man during World War II who refuses in 1943 to serve in Hitler’s German army and refuses to sign a loyalty oath to Hitler, with over references to God, Jesus, faith, and Scripture, including Matthew 6 and Psalm 23, plus movie is very strongly opposed to the violent tyranny of Hitler’s National Socialist party
Foul Language
No foul language
Violence
Light violence includes a couple men fight with their fellow townsman because he refuses to join Hitler’s fighting army, a prison guard repeatedly pulls a chair out from under the protagonist after commanding him to sit down and then stand back up after he falls, and there are implied executions through a guillotine machine (nothing shown)
Sex
No sex scenes or content, but some marital kissing and married couple often lie down in the grass with the man’s arm around his wife, plus images of the couple’s bed and bedroom, which is surrounded by Christian symbols, so it’s clear this is truly holy matrimony
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Light beer drinking and men, one man in particular, seem drunk in a couple scenes, but the drunkenness isn’t celebrated
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
Brief smoking but no drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Catholic church officials acquiesce to socialist tyranny, and villagers shun man and his wife when he starts criticizing Hitler and his National Socialist regime.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Franz refuses to violate his Christian convictions, even when others tell him that resistance will accomplish nothing. How can you remain faithful when obedience to God is costly?
Matthew 6:24 · Acts 5:29Fani supports Franz while carrying the responsibilities of the farm and their three daughters. What does sacrificial love look like in your family?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Ephesians 5:25Villagers turn against Franz and Fani because of fear. How should Christians respond when fear pressures them to reject what is right?
Psalm 56:3–4 · 2 Timothy 1:7The film includes references to Matthew 6 and Psalm 23. How do these passages speak to anxiety, trust, and faithfulness?
Matthew 6:25–34 · Psalm 23The Final Word
A HIDDEN LIFE is patient, beautiful, and emotionally powerful. It honors a man who stands against tyranny because of his faith and a wife whose love helps sustain him. For older children and adults ready for its serious pace, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — AGES 13 AND UP.
