MovieChat Forums > Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005) Discussion > Would you have had the courage?

Would you have had the courage?

posted 17 years ago by mentesobremateria
43 replies | jump to latest

I wouldn't.

I visited Sophie's grave this summer when I went to Munich (I also visited the Dachau concentration camp). I almost cried, and I told her: "Sophie, I wouldn't have the courage to do something like that, to die because of my beliefs. May your soul be blessed in eternity." I knew her story but only vaguely.

I am asking you, if something like the WW2 happened again, would you risk your life by spreading fliers in which you are criticizing the regime???

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] brand78 12 years ago

In my case I think probably not. I also have visited the grave of Hans and Sophie and that of their father who is buried nearby (he died in 1973).

[–] jvdesuit1 11 years ago

I have no answer to that as someone had said earlier one has to face the situation itself to see exactly how he/she would react.

But there is one thing I'm sure of, I never compromise with my conscience. It's a question of ethical behavior, it's a question of looking at myself in a mirror and not blush with shame. I had many occasions in my life (I'm 72)to choose between my ethics and compromising to get for instance a promotion in my job, and I always chose the first path whatever the risk it took to my future.

How would I've reacted to the coming out of a Hitler in France? I think I would have opposed in the way General de Gaulle did and would have left the country as soon as possible to join the forces in England. Freedom of speech and belief is for me the essence of life. That's why I always refused to be indoctrinated by Trade Unions, religions, politicians, parties or any kind of dogma. Fanaticism in any form is for me the supreme horror and that's why I still can't understand that the German people could have succumbed to the infernal ideas of Hitler for nearly 15 years. How a nation who gave birth to geniuses in literature, music, philosophy and other fields of human knowledge could have gone down so low? The same applies to my country,France. For the same reason I will never forgive my compatriots in France who collaborated with the Nazis.

[–] Rooney_Mara_Lover 8 years ago

I dont think i could.

[–] Tabbycat (915) 4 years ago

No, but I wouldn’t have done it anyway.

When crazy people threaten your life I say tell them whatever nonsense they want to hear, especially if they won’t be in power long. By February 1943 most Germans knew the war was lost. Sophie hears the Americans will come in 8-10 weeks. That estimate was about 46 weeks light, but still. The very imminence of defeat led the Nazi’s to expedite her trial and execution — no more 99 days. All she has to do is stall until defeat and she lives to see the day when, as she predicted, her accusers stand where she stands. Most sad that she didn’t live to see that.

But I still remain in awe of her bravery.