The Survivor

Name: The Survivor
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Released: April 27, 2022
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Aaron Serotsky, Anthony Molinari, Attila Árpa, Ben Foster, Billy Magnussen

2022

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Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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The Survivor

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Movie Details & Credits

HBO | Release Date (Streaming): April 27, 2022 | Not Rated

Starring: Aaron Serotsky, Anthony Molinari, Attila Árpa, Ben Foster, Billy Magnussen, Björn Freiberg, Cailyn Peddle, Charles Brice, Danny DeVito, Dar Zuzovsky, Jim Cleary, John Leguizamo, Ken Holmes, Laurent Papot, Michael Epp, Paul Bates, Peter Sarsgaard, Saro Emirze, Vicky Krieps, Zachary Golinger

Summary: The film is set post-World War II and will star Ben Foster as Harry Haft, a boxer who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive. Haunted by the memories and his guilt, he attempts to use high-profile fights against boxing legends like Rocky Marciano as a way to find his first love again.

Director: Barry Levinson

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 129 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Apr 27, 2022

Like its lead character, and the actor who plays him, Barry Levinson's The Survivor initially presents as familiar and comprehensible. The biographical drama then proceeds to surprise its audience, not with plot twists—we're told at the outset what the character's issues are, and have a pretty good idea of where the story is going to end up—but with how it keeps finding little ways to complicate and deepen every relationship and moment. Read full review

The Playlist Jason Bailey

Sep 17, 2021

The Survivor is occasionally infected by the aridness of the handsome, well-made historical film — it feels old-fashioned, in both the complimentary and pejorative senses. But some of that is purposeful and even a little subversive. Read full review

John DeFore

Sep 17, 2021

Ben Foster goes through more than one striking transformation here, changing body and soul while neither shying away from nor overdramatizing the uglier aspects of the man’s life. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Apr 27, 2022

While Levinson is not working from his own history as in “Diner” or “Avalon,” The Survivor, partly because of its subject matter and postwar milieu, feels of a piece with those overtly personal films. Whatever its flaws, it’s powerful. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Apr 27, 2022

The underlying story is better than the movie in “The Survivor,” but that material is so harrowing as to win on what amounts to a split decision. Timed to Holocaust Remembrance Day, the film isn’t equal to the awards bait HBO has traditionally offered in the TV-movie genre, but it should inspire plenty of googling about the remarkable tale of Harry Haft. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Sep 17, 2021

The Survivor wins on points, a decent and honourably intended picture about one man’s ordeal in the horror of the Holocaust and the heartbreak that came afterwards. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Sep 17, 2021

Foster’s performance is ultimately the only thing that holds The Survivor together across its three parallel timelines. Read full review

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User Reviews

Habibiehakim

May 15, 2022

It's the first time i'm watching a boxing biopic movie that are Nazi related, it is a very interesting take and life that are captured powerfully by director Barry Levinson, beautifully shot, and well performed, feel a little bit too long, but what happen in The Survivor i mostly enjoy,It's the first time i'm watching a boxing biopic movie that are Nazi related, it is a very interesting take and life that are captured powerfully by director Barry Levinson, beautifully shot, and well performed, feel a little bit too long, but what happen in The Survivor i mostly enjoy, engaged, and it is overall a pretty fascinating movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Stream2BigScree

May 4, 2022

Welcome back, Streamers. This weekend HBO Max either graced us with a super late Oscar -movie or a super early one, The Survivor. The movie follows post World War II, Harry (Hertzko) Haft who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive and has now made a boxing career outWelcome back, Streamers. This weekend HBO Max either graced us with a super late Oscar -movie or a super early one, The Survivor. The movie follows post World War II, Harry (Hertzko) Haft who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive and has now made a boxing career out of it in the United States. Harry is traumatized and haunted by his memories and the guilt of his choices during his time at Auschwitz. One thing keeps Harry going is the hope that he will find his long-lost love from before the concentration camps. Let’s travel through time with Harry.

Holocaust movies are particularly difficult to watch, but The Survivor can be quite beautiful. The scenery, set design, costume design are all great. For example, there is one scene at the pier where there are literally 100 extras for the set to work around and dress. It was very remarkable. The scenes in the concentration camps, even though in black and white (or grayscale), could be silent and tell a whole story in itself. You can feel the hunger and the pain of the prisoners. It is the closest thing to the actual Holocaust museum that I’ve seen on the big screen. I mean the transformation of the main actor’s character during the different times tells the story in itself. Must have been a labor of love to lose that much weight for this particular role.

Furthermore, the dialogue and actual moral conundrums are just heartbreaking to watching. The talk about life and death choices, anvil or the hammer, etc. are some very powerful topics explored, which can be particularly relevant when we see such unjust wars like what Russia is doing to Ukraine currently. The other storyline about what it looks like to love someone is also quite compelling. One might say that this can all be summed up as the exploration of the power of love. How far will love for a friend, family member, crush take you? It was really a beautiful depiction in many forms.

If you’re interested look up some more information on Harry Haft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Haft

It’s quite easy to see that The Survivor is an easy pick for a big box of popcorn whether streaming or in the movie theater. We happen to only have to go to HBO Max for this but it’s worth it. The movie is moving and painful to watch but worth the uncomfortable depiction. Sometimes we need to be reminded that there is more to fight for, worst things that can happen, and the choices we make have consequences. Make the right choice and watch The Survivor.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alanpotter17

Apr 15, 2023

Mesmo após todo o desgaste temático que é falar sobre a segunda guerra mundial e as consequências do nazismo, é incrível como ainda há histórias relevantes a serem contadas, e neste caso, uma história real sobre um judeu lutador, descoberto por um nazista que o colocava no ringue para gerarMesmo após todo o desgaste temático que é falar sobre a segunda guerra mundial e as consequências do nazismo, é incrível como ainda há histórias relevantes a serem contadas, e neste caso, uma história real sobre um judeu lutador, descoberto por um nazista que o colocava no ringue para gerar entretenimento dos campos de concentração.
O filme se passa após auschwitz, com o protagonista perdendo mais uma luta. Os fantasmas dos campos de concentração ainda lhe assombram, mas principalmente, os nazistas haviam levado sua amada a um campo e, anos depois, ele ainda mantinha a esperança de encontrá-la.
Ocorre que ele, mesmo indo conta ao conselho do irmão, revela seu passado a um jornalista, que faz uma matéria do sobrevivente ao holocausto. Com ele era uma peça não apenas de entretenimento, mas também de extermínio, já que suas lutas no campo de concentração eram levas as últimas consequências, e estamos falando aqui de judeus entrando na porrada com os próprias judeus, ele instantaneamente fora visto como traidor.
Assim, o filme gira nessa ambiguidade em mostrá-lo como um homem introvertido dotado de traumas, sua busca pela mulher amada, e ainda retratando-o como pugilista, mesmo que o roteiro não justifique muito esse seu lado lutador, porque uma coisa era ele no campo de concentração e outra totalmente diferente era ele enquanto esportista no pós-holocausto, acumulando derrotas sucessivas.
Então ele consegue marcar mais uma luta, dessa vez com um oponente de peso. É claro que essa luta irá desencadear não apenas o suspense do filme, mas também conduzirá o personagem ao seu passado e a desvendar seus mistérios.
OS flashbacks, embora excessivos, são bem funcionais à obra, e a atuação de Foster está em sintonia com o adulto perdido que se tornou. O fato de ser baseado em fatos reais confere um peso de dignidade a uma obra que, esteticamente falando, é carregado nos flashbacks, como dito, e enquadrada demais para ser apreciada por outro ângulo que não o peso histórico do nazismo.
Infelizmente Barry Levinson não soube transpor para as telas a emoção dos reencontros, ficou tudo muito sem graça demais para se tornar memorável. O filme crescia quando Foster estava lutando no campo de concentração, a cena em que tivera que luar com seu amigo foi realmente pertubadora, mas o roteiro estava mais interessado na historinha de amor, não que seja uma opção ruim, é que a história do lutador ficou bem melhor em cena do que do rapaz em busca da amada.
Ainda assim, temos mais um bom registro sobre o tema, certamente não o último, e que o cinema sempre nos lembrem desses horrores da história humana.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Feb 23, 2023

The Survivor is somewhat similar to the other film I just watched today. Another real-life drama about a boxer.

However, with a much more experienced director at the helm, and with quite marked plot differences, this film manages to get you more involved in its story. Most of all, becauseThe Survivor is somewhat similar to the other film I just watched today. Another real-life drama about a boxer.

However, with a much more experienced director at the helm, and with quite marked plot differences, this film manages to get you more involved in its story. Most of all, because of Ben Foster's excellent performance, who remains impressively underrated.

This was ordinary in every possible way, but not everything has to be special, you know?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Craftnight405

Apr 1, 2023

Harry Haft ist ein polnischer Boxer, welcher sich durch sein Talent in dem KZ Ausschwitz befreien konnte. Dabei musst er gegen andere Insassen kämpfen. Der Film spielt überwiegend in dem Jahr 1949 in Amerika. Harry Haft gab es in Wirklichkeit und starb 2007 mit 82 Jahren. Der Film zeigtHarry Haft ist ein polnischer Boxer, welcher sich durch sein Talent in dem KZ Ausschwitz befreien konnte. Dabei musst er gegen andere Insassen kämpfen. Der Film spielt überwiegend in dem Jahr 1949 in Amerika. Harry Haft gab es in Wirklichkeit und starb 2007 mit 82 Jahren. Der Film zeigt seine traumatischen Erlebnisse während des Krieges und wie er mit diesen Fertig wird. Die Rückblenden in dem KZ werden in schwarz-weiß gezeigt und der Rest des Films sind in Farbe.Es wird gezeigt, wie er darunter noch Leidet. Es findet ein Showkampf zwischen ihm und Rocky Maciano, welches auch so statt gefunden hatte.
Der Film hat gute Ansätze und ist gut gefilmt, aber ich finde der Film ist nicht so interessant. Ich finde den Film hat einige Probleme er ist nicht spannend, was bei so einem Thema auch nicht unbedingt sein muss,aber irgendwie hat der Film mich nicht berührt. Die Szenen unter Gefangenschaft sind fast nur im Boxring zu sehen und wie er andere Menschen zu Tode boxt. Es findet ansonsten dort nur ein Gespräch mit dem Wächter statt der auf in Wettet. Der Film hat viel Potenzial was er leider nicht hinbekommt. Es gibt Gespräche die gut gemacht sind. Alles im Allen ist es kein guter Boxfilm. Und Geschichte zu diesem ernsten Thema gab es auch schon bessere.

6,5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bradh6886

May 13, 2022

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

UncleWillard

May 1, 2022

Great performances and production values, minus terrible makeup and a predictable plot. Somewhere there's this trope that all big actors need to do certain types of roles; the boxer, the cowboy, the cop, the prisoner, monarch, etc. I think the Holocaust movie is another one, and Ben CooperGreat performances and production values, minus terrible makeup and a predictable plot. Somewhere there's this trope that all big actors need to do certain types of roles; the boxer, the cowboy, the cop, the prisoner, monarch, etc. I think the Holocaust movie is another one, and Ben Cooper knocks out two in one here. He's a great actor, but this is a very formulaic Holocaust picture. There's really nothing new to add to the genre at this point, and this just reminds me of a lesser Triumph of the Spirit. If you love Ben Cooper, it's a good flick.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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