Fighter (2000) User Reviews

An Interesting take on a common type of documentary

[movieman-187 · 7/10 · 22 December 2002]

I have seen many documentaries in which a survivor returns to his or her place of internment. These films (especially "The Last Days") have the rare ability to both capture the past and show its affect on the present. If "Fighter" was simply another version of these types of films, it would have been one of the poorer examples; however, this film does something that none of the other films in the survivor series does: it questions the survivor, and does not simply accept his story as true. This very tough role in the film is taken on by Jan's friend and fellow survivor. Their philosophical banter and semantical games are what this film worth the time. They turn what is really a sad journey into some strange "Grumpier Old Men" sequel. I have to say that the film was much different than I expected, but what I got in place was perhaps more meaningful than what I wanted. 7/10

Moving Documentary

[eung555 · 10/10 · 27 January 2004]

I had not heard of Fighter before, but I saw it in the local library, and picked it up on a whim. I was very surprised by the film which I thought one of the most moving documentaries that I have ever seen. The movie traces the journey of two Jewish Czech WWII survivors, one of whom was at Auschwitz and the other ended the war as a RAF fighter pilot. The personalities of the two men are diamatrically oppossed and it is moving and touching to still hear the anger and sadness in the pilot's voice as he visits the various places where he or his family had suffered during the war. It was frightening to see the footage of Nazi soldiers marching into Czechoslovakia and to understand that the same people who supported the Nazis turned around and supported the Communists, and both parties turned on the Jews for different reasons. The personal experiences of both persons are hard to comprehend and I cannot imagine, in the absence of personal experience, how a person could have such a strong desire to survive. I definitely recommend this film to students of human nature both from the negative angle (hatred, bias, bigotry) and from the positive angle (desire to survive, love, perseverance).

Heartbreaking, funny, complex documentary about war, personal philosophy, and the nature of friendship

[runamokprods · 11 October 2011]

Touching documentary about 2 old friends in their 70s.

Jan is tough, and still carries his rage and anger from the WW II and the events after, when he was imprisoned by the communists.

Arnost, a writer and film-maker is more philosophical, and seems to have come to terms with the past.

Both were born in Czechoslovakia. One spent WWII in a concentration camp, the other, slightly older and tougher, escaped, and went on a wild and winding journey to find his way to England, where he joined the RAF as a fighter pilot, Both men returned to Czechoslovakia after the war, only to flee to America to escape the communist dictatorship. In the US they met up, and given their common background became best friends.

Now they travel together to retrace the journey of Jan 'the Fighter' of the two. Along the way, the difference in how they look at things, from the communist party after the war, to the exact meaning a simple moment in Jan's journey slowly drives a wedge into their friendship.

A film about the nature of truth and memory, the complexity of friendship, and the way different personalities assimilate different situation. This is a unique and complex documentary that is both fascinating, surprisingly humorous at moments and heartbreaking.

Phenomenal

[Ravenex · 10/10 · 19 January 2007]

This film, handed to me by the sister of the director was a very moving and intriguing piece. I knew that the personal histories of people, Jews in particular fleeing the ravages of WWII and the terror of the holocaust were numerous and possibly compelling, but to see the two stories, the experiences of Jan and Arnost, unfolding before us with such clarity and passion and to realize with such immediateness that their stories were still being written as we witnessed their trek was a truly awesome feat of cinema. I really appreciated Mr. Bar-Lev's style in letting the story tell itself, he was almost invisible in the film and made no attempt to shift focus from the story onto himself. I had an opportunity to meet him and his great work truly stems from the fact that he is a great person. bravo.

Moving, funny and horrifying.

[Peter-83 · 9/10 · 11 April 2002]

I have been busy the other day, zapping through the cable TV channels and my attention was caught by an English conversation between two elderly gentlemen with a clear Czech accent. I have stopped and started to watch the movie.

Being a Czech ex-patriot and a son of a Holocaust survivor the subject is very near to my heart. I was glued to the screen by one of the most moving, human and interesting documentaries I have ever seen. Maybe I am not objective because of my background but this film is really a masterpiece.

Mr. Lustig with his philosophical and so typically Czech view on life caused me to burst into loud laugh and into tears together. His optimism and the rare talent to pick up the really important things in life which may look trivial in first glance are incredible. Even in the hardest days in the concentration camps could Mr. Lustig find a human side in the Nazi soldiers.

Mr. Wiener on the other hand a completely different type. The dynamic relationship between these two draws a second circle in the movie.

Another level is the story of the Czech Jewry during the Holocaust and the personal stories of these heroes, their families and their close friends during this horrible epoch.

This is one of those films you just don't want to end.

And for summary: Great, Great, Great. One of the most enjoyable 90 minutes I had in long time.

A Beautiful Film

[sadiejmc · 18 March 2006]

Considering the subject of this film (two men retrace their steps out of Eastern Europe, revisiting their experiences in WWII), one might be afraid that it would be too depressing. On the contrary, this film is lovely. It is sad, touching, beautiful and very funny. The editing is perfect. There is nothing that seems out of place. It is not too long, and the filmmaker keeps himself outside the story, letting the men tell their own tale. Although the subjects (and the filmmaker) are Jewish, this is not simply a film about a specific culture/religion/experience. It is a film about human nature.

Even if you think documentaries are boring, you should give this movie a chance. It's awesome.

A life less ordinary

[wuthering · 20 September 2004]

Jan and Arnost are two of the most intricate and intriguing characters you will ever meet--trust me, I've met them both. This documentary takes them through the toughest part of their lives, the part that neither of them will ever forget. If you want drama, pathos, anger, passion and to get to know two of the best men ever, you must see this film. The director has gotten so deep into these two you see the start of lives falling apart, but held together by a strength which is unmatched. They are still so bitter and hurt, that their friendship is on the line because of differences from 60 years ago. Knowing these two men personally makes this a very difficult film to watch, but if you don't see it, you will be missing out.

Grumpy Old Men

[DJAkin · 29 August 2004]

THis movie was great. It was a DOCUMENTARY that was so interesting that it now has ME wanting to go to Europe to see all these places. I really liked how open JAN was about his memories of WW2. He and his friend have been through a lot. Jan's dad took suicide pills to avoide getting taken by tha NAZI'S.

At one point in the movie, Jan goes to find an old girlfriend. He finds her HUSBAND instead and asks to be taken to her. The husband tells JAN to "Go to Hell."

That was a strange scene.

If anybody thinks that the HOLOCAUST never happened, see THIS movie. Hitler was so evil!! I hate HITLER!!