Anthropoid

Anthropoid

Anthropoid is a gripping historical thriller based on the true story of Operation Anthropoid, the World War II mission to assassinate SS General Reinhard Heydrich, one of the principal architects of the Holocaust. Directed by Sean Ellis, the film blends meticulous realism with tense, emotional storytelling to explore the courage and sacrifice behind one of history’s most daring acts of resistance.

Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan star as Czech soldiers Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš, who are parachuted into their occupied homeland with the impossible task of executing the high-ranking Nazi official. As the mission unfolds, the film immerses viewers in the claustrophobic fear and moral complexity of wartime resistance—where loyalty, love, and survival are constantly in conflict.

Ellis’s direction balances precision and humanity, capturing both the logistical detail of espionage and the profound emotional toll of defiance. The cinematography evokes a sense of immediacy and grit, while the restrained score and strong ensemble performances heighten the film’s authenticity.

More than a war film, Anthropoid is an examination of bravery in the face of tyranny and the personal cost of standing up to oppression. It’s a powerful tribute to those who risked everything for freedom, reminding us that acts of resistance, however small, can alter the course of history.

Screening With:

Sugar

Student Shorts Showcase

A story about euphoric recall.

6 mins
Canada, 2016
Dir. Tyler Oscar Levesque
Language: English