Film Review: A Hidden Life (USA 2019) by Terrence Malick episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 16, 2025 · 8 MIN

Film Review: A Hidden Life (USA 2019) by Terrence Malick

from Second Opinion - Films and Society · host Our Second Opinion

Content:  In this podcast, we discuss Terrence Malick's film “A Hidden Life” (USA 2019), starring August Diehl and Valerie Pachner.  The film is about an Austrian farmer who refuses to swear loyalty during WWII and the resulting consequences for him and his family.  We highlight Malick's signature style, characterized by breathtaking visuals, a constantly moving camera, non-linear editing, a haunting soundtrack, and a mix of dialogue and voice-overs that explore themes of faith and conscience.  We suggest the film is a powerful, immersive experience for Malick enthusiasts but might be challenging for newcomers to his unique approach.  We have reviewed the other films of Terrence Malick as well. To avoid missing new reviews, you can subscribe to our channel and activate the notification bell. This way, you’ll stay updated on the next new releases on this channel.  Plot:  Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life” tells the true story of Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), an Austrian farmer who refuses to swear an oath during WWII. Facing imprisonment and death, he clings to faith and conscience, supported by his wife (Valerie Pachner).  Malick’s breathtaking visuals and introspective style honor quiet resistance. This poignant drama celebrates moral courage amid war’s shadow, questioning sacrifice and grace.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Oct 16, 2025

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Film Review: A Hidden Life (USA 2019) by Terrence Malick

0:00 8:02

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Second Opinion - Films and Society?

This episode is 8 minutes long.

When was this Second Opinion - Films and Society episode published?

This episode was published on October 16, 2025.

Can I download this Second Opinion - Films and Society episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!