Found this on a streaming site & decided to give it a go. Thank god I did. It's a "small" film that tells a big story set in Auschwitz. I was hooked from the opening scene and sat spellbound for 90 minutes. The acting, directing, cinematography, set design are all spot on. I went in thinking this is a fictional story set in a real place, but at the end it says the events of the film are true. IDK if they are or aren't or the exact details are true or not. What I know is this is a moving film, with a simple story set within the confines of a literal he** on Earth. Proof you can tell a great story in 90 minutes. If you're looking at it & wondering if you should watch it....don't think, clear your mind, stay away from social media and for an hour and a half you will be witness to a powerful film.
16 Reviews
Real Champion
bryangary6527 January 2022
Stop Dubbing!
AJ_McAninch20 November 2022
There was a sincere effort here to make a good Holocaust film, hurt by ham acting on the part of the actors playing the Nazis and the even more ham-handed dubbing with dull Western voices instead of the real voices and languages of the actors and the characters they played. Dubbing is just stupid and also offensive. If westerners can't bother to read subtitles, then don't watch the movie. Those of us who enjoy International films and series want the languages and cultures of these works, and don't want the bizarre effects of dubbing coming from their mouths: "Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films." -"Parasite" Director, Bong Joon-Ho whose film won the Academy Award-with sub-titles.
It's just fine nothing more
JurijFedorov14 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Seems like there are quite a few movies about Auschwitz boxing champions. I haven't seen the 2 other big movies so I can't compare them all yet. This one tries to stay true to history to some degree. It unfortunately doesn't quite do that. Teddy did quite a lot more in the camp. Tried to kill an SS officer. Killed a dog used to attack Jews. Did quite a bit in the camp besides boxing that actually makes the movie a story that overlooks cool events which seldom happens in the movie industry. It's only because of budgetary constraints. Here he is just boxing and then giving prisoners the food he wins and gets medicine too. It's a very basic movie that never quite finds a theme. We seldom understand what will happen if he loses. The first 45 minutes are fun and engaging and don't feel cheap. But soon you feel how small the movie is. It's the same few buildings. The same few people. Same type of scenes. It's supposed to be a giant camp, but it doesn't look big here. Even cheap American movies at least cast groups of people. This is a small set movie that could as well have been a theater play. It would have improved the movie quite a bit to show him fighting in the army and then getting captured. Then joining the army again after the war. Just some big scenes to show us who he is and why we should care about him. This doesn't bother me for the first 45 minutes. But after that the movie becomes too repetitive to some degree. All scenes are grey and slow. All are small sets. It looks fine and the acting is great, but boring. It works to some degree. For example, at one point he has to fight a big German boxer. They just spot him beating up prisoners. Teddy wants to fight him. They set up the match the same day. Where is the tension? Totally gone. They need to set this stuff up. Let the big German beat him up at the beginning when he is tired and doesn't eat well. Then later he starts to box and gets proper food. And then soon the match-up is talked about again and the guards are eager to set it up to show Teddy he is not the best. Something like that. Slow story building the fights up to create hype. Instead we just go scene by scene. He talks about a fight, he fights and wins, he gets food. So forth. The script is quite lazy. Initially when he is working on mining stones we actually have a bit of tension and more variety. Later he starts working in the barn and then all scenes are set in like 5 locations only. Not sure why this decline in quality takes place, shame.
But again, the movie does look proper and you never feel like they tried to make a fast buck. It's just that the camp should have looked 5 times as large. And they could have added quite a few more engaging scenes and events too if they could afford just 2-3 more sets and way more actors. Then his real history could be told. I felt like it is a decent movie. But after watching trailers for the bigger productions and reading a bit about his story I feel like we got cheated here. This should have been bigger and better. You really could have done a bit more for the budget too to add variety like having the first 20 minutes be about his capture. Or have the last 15 minutes be about how he fought his last fights in a new place and then how the camps were closed down. Or just add in all the stuff he did in the camp to fight the guards. Something to make the story fit one and a half hours of runtime. Which some tension building also could help with.
But again, the movie does look proper and you never feel like they tried to make a fast buck. It's just that the camp should have looked 5 times as large. And they could have added quite a few more engaging scenes and events too if they could afford just 2-3 more sets and way more actors. Then his real history could be told. I felt like it is a decent movie. But after watching trailers for the bigger productions and reading a bit about his story I feel like we got cheated here. This should have been bigger and better. You really could have done a bit more for the budget too to add variety like having the first 20 minutes be about his capture. Or have the last 15 minutes be about how he fought his last fights in a new place and then how the camps were closed down. Or just add in all the stuff he did in the camp to fight the guards. Something to make the story fit one and a half hours of runtime. Which some tension building also could help with.
When having one polished skill can help you survive
trabler1 May 2022
This is a tale of how a skill can make one's miserable enslaved existence more beneficial for the self and others. The skill saves some innocent and destroys some too; but no matter how hard the predicament might seem, there is always something to fight for. Dramatic near-death and comeback resurrection are truly inspiring.
Resistance to German Cruelty
olcayozfirat27 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It is a 2020 Polish film whose name is translated into English as "The Champion". It offers a glimpse into the experiences of a boxer known as "Teddy" in the auswitch concentration camp. The movie is a good period movie. In the Auswitch camp, it is revealed that non-Germans are not even seen as human beings. But a boxer resists according to his talent. He proves himself invincible while being fun to the Germans. During the film, people who were sent to the incinerators, who were killed because they answered, or who were arbitrarily killed, go with the blood. And the cruelest way to kill.
This movie gives you a glimpse of Auschwitz during its early days.
Erik_Surewaard6 December 2023
This movie is also known under the name "The Champion of Auschwitz". It shows Auschwitz camp life through the true experiences of a gifted boxer whom is prisoner of the camp. Because of a lack of entertainment for the guards and SS soldiers, camp officers decide to organize boxing matches, whereby this gifted boxer is made the main attraction.
What makes this movie special, is that it shows the beginnings of the Auschwitz "main camp", whereby prisoners were still living in brick buildings and Birkenau didn't exist yet. Having only 1 crematorium, it also still made use of burning pits.
This movie has pretty impressive scenes, which show the evil behavior of the Nazi guards and officers.
I score this movie with a 7.2, resulting in 7 IMDb stars.
What makes this movie special, is that it shows the beginnings of the Auschwitz "main camp", whereby prisoners were still living in brick buildings and Birkenau didn't exist yet. Having only 1 crematorium, it also still made use of burning pits.
This movie has pretty impressive scenes, which show the evil behavior of the Nazi guards and officers.
I score this movie with a 7.2, resulting in 7 IMDb stars.
9.4 if anything
jigboe14 March 2023
I don't care what anybody else says. This was an outstanding movie and I started crying at the end! Thank you! It was also so inspiring that it led me to write my very first review for a movie, so attaboy. If I were to critique the film's whole then all I would say is the fighting could've been a little more up to par, but other than that I honestly loved the movie. I'm here mostly as a fan that enjoyed the entirety of both how the main character tricked me because I didn't recognize who the actor was until I seen the credits and how he blended in with the storyline and environment! Outstanding work. Glad to be here!!!
Solid Movie
markdr331 December 2021
Kind of meh
trulahn14 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's "ok" for a concentration camp movie.
Although one thing that really bothered me from the very beginning of the movie is the Nazi guy telling the prisoners that they only way they are leaving is through the chimneys of the crematorium. It really doesn't sound like any historical accounts and documentaries that I had seen, including the actual Dachau concentration camp. The prisoners (mostly Jews but also gays, Romanies, etc) didn't know they were being killed when they were led into the gas chambers disguised as shower rooms. If the Nazis went to such length to not letting the prisoners know they were getting killed, why would they threaten them like that? If the prisoners had no hope of surviving, they wouldn't be as cooperative.
Although one thing that really bothered me from the very beginning of the movie is the Nazi guy telling the prisoners that they only way they are leaving is through the chimneys of the crematorium. It really doesn't sound like any historical accounts and documentaries that I had seen, including the actual Dachau concentration camp. The prisoners (mostly Jews but also gays, Romanies, etc) didn't know they were being killed when they were led into the gas chambers disguised as shower rooms. If the Nazis went to such length to not letting the prisoners know they were getting killed, why would they threaten them like that? If the prisoners had no hope of surviving, they wouldn't be as cooperative.
Literally in tears throughout the film remembering all those that did not survive.
Vivekmaru453 October 2022
Based on the true story of Tadeusz Pietrzykowski, a real-life Polish boxer who became famous for his nearly undefeated strings of victories in the Nazi concentration camps.
The film also stars Rafal Zawierucha, Marcin Czarnik and Marian Dziedziel. The music was composed by Bartosz Chajdecki. This is the first full-length movie directed by Barczewski.
The Polish title of the movie is Mistrz, "The Master".
The movie was released in English-speaking countries as The Champion of Auschwitz.
The film shows the grim life of Tadeusz Pietrzykowski(played Piotr Glowacki) in the concentration camp where he was held. By a lucky coincidence he is drafted in a boxing match due to his boxing ability and starts winning matches. From then onward his legend begins to grow...
This movie is not for the faint of heart. The prisoners in the film are depicted with brutal realism. All the atrocities done to them by the Gestapo are portrayed as accurately as possible.
I began to weep at some of the scenes, thanking my stars that I was not born in such an age of hatred of humankind.
Verdict: 10/10. A triumph in film-making. You should also see: Triumph of the Spirit 1989 based on the true story of Greek boxer Salamo Arouch and The Survivor 2021 based on the true story of boxer Harry Haft who survived the camps and went on to box the legendary undefeated boxer Rocky Marciano.
The film also stars Rafal Zawierucha, Marcin Czarnik and Marian Dziedziel. The music was composed by Bartosz Chajdecki. This is the first full-length movie directed by Barczewski.
The Polish title of the movie is Mistrz, "The Master".
The movie was released in English-speaking countries as The Champion of Auschwitz.
The film shows the grim life of Tadeusz Pietrzykowski(played Piotr Glowacki) in the concentration camp where he was held. By a lucky coincidence he is drafted in a boxing match due to his boxing ability and starts winning matches. From then onward his legend begins to grow...
This movie is not for the faint of heart. The prisoners in the film are depicted with brutal realism. All the atrocities done to them by the Gestapo are portrayed as accurately as possible.
I began to weep at some of the scenes, thanking my stars that I was not born in such an age of hatred of humankind.
Verdict: 10/10. A triumph in film-making. You should also see: Triumph of the Spirit 1989 based on the true story of Greek boxer Salamo Arouch and The Survivor 2021 based on the true story of boxer Harry Haft who survived the camps and went on to box the legendary undefeated boxer Rocky Marciano.
A Hard Watch
GoldenGooner0429 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This film pulls no punches, (no pun intended) it shows you scenes of the people going to the gas chambers I have not seem before, the actual gas being poured in. Is this a spoiler?
I don't think this would have been showed in a US or European film, but the Poles as we know have a bloody history with the Nazi's.
It's great acting, i don't know any of the cast, this film is on Sky TV in the UK.
This film never made me cry, it made me very angry, did the Allies not know what was going on? A few Lancaster's one night take out the camps.
I don't think this would have been showed in a US or European film, but the Poles as we know have a bloody history with the Nazi's.
It's great acting, i don't know any of the cast, this film is on Sky TV in the UK.
This film never made me cry, it made me very angry, did the Allies not know what was going on? A few Lancaster's one night take out the camps.
Good movie but...
strictlytea28 January 2023
I have never heard of this story before if I did, it has been a long time. I watched this in honor of all those who lost their lives in Auschwitz Concentration Camp and the other concentration camps. I didn't realize that this movie takes place during the early days of Auschwitz. Everything from the acting, to cinematography excellent but I have one main problem, if I want to watch a foreign film I expect to hear the native language like Polish and German and use English subtitles. This is one moving and yet powerful movie, and it will make you tear up when you see families heading for their deaths. And, yet it will make you angry all at the same time. It did for me.
"These are no longer your fights. You fight for us!"
classicsoncall1 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This film is certainly deserving of more viewers than the number rating it here on IMDb, and with only eleven reviews (as I write this), it's a story that merits a much wider audience. The thing that strikes is the incredible inhumanity on display in the way the Nazi concentration camp guards physically beat and indiscriminately kill prisoners on a mere whim. There's the mental aspect as well, demonstrated when an announcement is made that the prisoners will never leave the camp alive. It leaves little hope and all but the faintest will to survive from day to day. Amidst this setting, Tadeusz 'Teddy' Pietrzykowski (Piotr Glowacki) emerges as an unlikely hero to the prisoners of the newly opened Auschwitz Concentration Camp, one whose infamy grew throughout the Second World War. Recognized as a former championship caliber Polish athlete, Teddy is selected to fight against a handful of German prison guards, and almost always successful, manages to earn an allowance of bread and medicine for his fellow inmates. A side story involves Teddy's compassion for a young male prisoner he takes under his wing, only to end in tragedy under the brutal conditions of the camp. Any recommendation I could make to watch this movie has nothing to do with entertainment value, as the scenes and conditions depicted are too bleak. The value of pictures like this are instructional and inspirational, helping us recognize that the intolerable conditions shown have no place in human conduct and must be prevented from ever happening again. Though it's a difficult picture to watch, one comes away with an understanding of how an indomitable spirit can keep even the faintest glimmer of hope alive under the harshest conditions.
The Champion of Auschwitz' ('MISTRZ') is worth recommending, especially if you find beauty in boxing as sport.
j-madej26 December 2023
Being currently in Poland I came across a good quality, war drama 'MISTRZ' (eng title: 'The Champion of Auschwitz') written and directed by Maciej Barczewski.
Synopsis: "True story of the pre war boxing champion Tadeusz "Teddy" Pietrzykowski, who in 1940 arrives with the first transport of prisoners to the newly created Auschwitz concentration camp. There, camp officers force him to fight for his and other prisoners' lives. However, with every win, he strengthens the hope that Nazis are not invincible. The camp authorities subject Teddy to a final fight, the stake of which is not only his life and freedom, but also the dignity and hope for the survival of the prisoners."
I am a huge boxing fanatic, so when I see films with boxing as a subject I am very judgmental and yet I am very impressed with the work done by Polish filmmakers telling the story of a boxer intertwined in to war time atrocities at Auschwitz concentration camp. Things like cinematography and lighting, as well as the technical aspects of filmmaking craft are always on the highest level in Polish cinema. 'The Champion...' does not disappoint in visual department, but also the fight choreographies are well filmed being both rather realistically dynamic and obtain descent believability factor.
I am also very pleasantly surprised by the lead performance by Piotr Glowacki, which previously I only saw in rather comedic roles. Here he excels at stoicism and emotional honesty, but also sense of physicality, which haven't bees seen in his previous film work.
Minor setback in terms of criticism can be mentioned that the score of the film is not only inspired by Hans Zimmer style from movie 'INTERSTELLAR'', but at times it seems directly copied. Now, being inspired by someone's work is one thing (as it can be the highest form of flattery) but when you copy musical motives it can leave a little unpleasant taste in all around very good quality movie. Then again some more casual viewers will not hear the commonality of both scores, as the score in 'The Champion...' works dramatically very well, it's just for my taste it's clearly copied from Zimmer style.
All and all 'The Champion of Auschwitz' ('MISTRZ') is worth recommending, especially if like me you find beauty in boxing as sport.
Synopsis: "True story of the pre war boxing champion Tadeusz "Teddy" Pietrzykowski, who in 1940 arrives with the first transport of prisoners to the newly created Auschwitz concentration camp. There, camp officers force him to fight for his and other prisoners' lives. However, with every win, he strengthens the hope that Nazis are not invincible. The camp authorities subject Teddy to a final fight, the stake of which is not only his life and freedom, but also the dignity and hope for the survival of the prisoners."
I am a huge boxing fanatic, so when I see films with boxing as a subject I am very judgmental and yet I am very impressed with the work done by Polish filmmakers telling the story of a boxer intertwined in to war time atrocities at Auschwitz concentration camp. Things like cinematography and lighting, as well as the technical aspects of filmmaking craft are always on the highest level in Polish cinema. 'The Champion...' does not disappoint in visual department, but also the fight choreographies are well filmed being both rather realistically dynamic and obtain descent believability factor.
I am also very pleasantly surprised by the lead performance by Piotr Glowacki, which previously I only saw in rather comedic roles. Here he excels at stoicism and emotional honesty, but also sense of physicality, which haven't bees seen in his previous film work.
Minor setback in terms of criticism can be mentioned that the score of the film is not only inspired by Hans Zimmer style from movie 'INTERSTELLAR'', but at times it seems directly copied. Now, being inspired by someone's work is one thing (as it can be the highest form of flattery) but when you copy musical motives it can leave a little unpleasant taste in all around very good quality movie. Then again some more casual viewers will not hear the commonality of both scores, as the score in 'The Champion...' works dramatically very well, it's just for my taste it's clearly copied from Zimmer style.
All and all 'The Champion of Auschwitz' ('MISTRZ') is worth recommending, especially if like me you find beauty in boxing as sport.
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