Movies

‘Walking with the Enemy’ a compelling Holocaust drama

After 20 shaky opening minutes, first-time director Mark Schmidt finds his footing with this slightly overlong English-language Holocaust drama.

Irish actor Jonas Armstrong does a fine job as a Jewish escapee from a prison camp in World War II Hungary, which was occupied under the vicious command of Adolf Eichmann (Charles Hubbell) after Germany broke a non-aggression pact.

Based on the real-life Pinchas Rosenbaum — called Elek Cohen here — our hero repeatedly risks his life (often posing as a Nazi officer) to save thousands of Jews (with the help of Swiss officials and other Christians) after his own family is shipped off to Auschwitz.

“Walking with the Enemy” may not be another “Schindler’s List” (Ben Kingsley has a small but important role as Hungary’s deposed regent) but it’s handsomely photographed (A-list vet Dean Cundey) in Romania and a compelling addition to the Shoah canon.