Is The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life's Portrait Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2019)

📖 The Core Premise

The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life's Portrait returns to the screen in 2019, bringing a fresh narrative to the History genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Zurich in 1519: The young widow Anna Reinhart lives a barren life between fear of the church and worries about the future of her three children, when the arrival of a man in the city causes turmoil: The young priest Ulrich Zwingli takes up his new position at the Grossmünster in Zurich and sparks fierce discussions with his sermons against the grievances of the Catholic Church. Zwingli's revolutionary thoughts frighten Anna. But when she sees how Zwingli lives charity and not just preaches, she increasingly becomes fascinated by him. But Zwingli's success quickly becomes dangerous. His ideas almost trigger a civil war, and at the same time a struggle for power and interpretive sovereignty breaks out in the inner circle of the movement. When the Catholic forces begin to form internationally, the relationship between Zwingli and Anna is put to a hard test."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Maximilian Simonischek does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good History. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life's Portrait worth your time? If you appreciate History films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life's Portrait is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 124 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.