Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (Sophie Scholl: Die letzten Tage) (NR)

synopsis

Spring 1943: The Germans have lost the battle for Stalingrad and, in Munich members of the White Rose infiltrate the city with a wave upon wave of anti-Hitler activities and slogans. Sophie and Hans Scholl are busy distributing flyers in the main hall of Munich University when they are arrested. Interrogations follow the brother and sister's arrest and so does the pronouncement of their sentence. At first, Sophie feigns innocence, fighting tooth and nail to secure her and her brother's release. However, realizing that the death penalty awaits them, she does her best to protect her brother and the other resistance fighters. Gestapo man Mohr admires Sophie and indicates that he will help her if she admits to being a fellow-traveler. But Sophie refuses to give up her conviction, instead confronting Mohr with his own unthinking perception of what is right and just. Roland Freisler, chief of the Nazis' "People's Court", is sent from Berlin to Munich to conduct a show trial against the students. During the trial, Sophie battles so brilliantly against Freisler that she wins the approval of the male Nazi spectators at court. As soon as the trial is over, the two are taken away to Stadelheim to be executed. They are allowed to say goodbye to their parents before sharing their final cigarette.