Three Believers (1990)
A gripping short film set in Nazi-occupied Lvov, where a thief risks everything to lead a Jewish family through the city's sewers to freedom.
Three Believers - Movie Information
Three Believers - Plot
A thief in Lvov, Poland, during the German occupation who uses his knowledge of the sewer system to help a Jewish family escape.
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Three Believers - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Benjamin Ross
Writers
- Benjamin Ross
Three Believers - FAQs
What is Three Believers about?
Three Believers follows a resourceful thief living in Lvov, Poland, during the brutal German occupation of World War II. Using his intimate knowledge of the city's sewer system, he takes a dangerous risk to guide a Jewish family to safety, weaving together themes of moral courage, survival, and unexpected heroism.
Is Three Believers based on a true story?
Three Believers draws on the documented history of Jews who survived the Nazi occupation of Lvov by hiding in the city's sewer network. While the specific characters are fictional, the film reflects real wartime experiences, echoing accounts like those later depicted in the documentary In Darkness (2011).
Who directed Three Believers?
Three Believers was directed by Benjamin Ross, who also wrote the screenplay. Ross made the film as a student production at Columbia University School of the Arts. He later went on to direct the darkly comic British feature The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1995), establishing himself as a distinctive voice in independent cinema.
What genre is Three Believers?
Three Believers blends Drama, Crime, and History into a tightly crafted short film. It combines the moral tension of a wartime drama with the gritty atmosphere of a crime story, all grounded in the very real historical context of the Nazi occupation of Lvov, Poland, during World War II.
How long is Three Believers?
Three Believers runs just 31 minutes, making it a short film rather than a feature. Despite its brief runtime, it manages to deliver a compelling, emotionally resonant story set against the harrowing backdrop of the German occupation of Poland during World War II.
What language is Three Believers in?
Three Believers is primarily in English, with Polish also spoken throughout the film. This bilingual approach adds authenticity to its wartime Polish setting, grounding the story in the cultural and linguistic reality of Lvov during the German occupation of World War II.
What are similar films to Three Believers?
If Three Believers resonates with you, explore Schindler's List (1993) and Uprising (2001) for powerful wartime drama, or In the Name of the Father (1993) for morally complex crime narratives. Oliver Twist (2005) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) also share the theme of a resourceful outsider defying oppressive systems.
Was Three Believers a student film?
Yes, Three Believers was produced through Columbia University School of the Arts, making it a student film. It stands as an impressive early work from director Benjamin Ross, demonstrating the kind of historical ambition and moral seriousness that would define his later professional career in film.
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