JustWatchWhat is Irena’s Vow About?
Irena’s Vow is a Second World War drama about Irena Gut, a Polish nurse who risked everything to shelter Jewish people from the Nazis. It focuses on her experiences working as a housekeeper for a high-ranking German soldier, where she secretly hid Jews in his basement.
Our Honest Irena’s Vow Review
Irena’s Vow is a film that rests almost entirely on the shoulders of the lead actress. As Irena ‘Irene’ Gut, Sophie Nélisse is excellent. She conveys a wealth of emotion through body language and delivers several lines with quiet power. It’s a remarkable performance and a fitting tribute to a remarkable true story.
In fact, the true story of Irena Gut sounds almost implausible. The idea of a nurse who hid several Jewish workers in a German Officer’s house seems like something out of ‘Allo ‘Allo, but it genuinely happened. Irena’s Vow is a powerfully moving film and a worthy addition to the pantheon of holocaust films.
What Do the Critics Think of Irena’s Vow?
For the most part, Irena’s Vow received a positive response from film critics. The performance of Sophie Nélisse was universally praised, but there was some mild criticism for the antics of the Nazi villains
- “The story of her remarkable courage and heroism is told very politely in an English-language drama that feels a little too tactful in places to really say anything about the horrors of Nazism.” – Cath Clarke, The Guardian.
- “It’s a true if fantastic story, anchored by the powerful, heartfelt performances of Sophie Nélisse as an innocent girl whose integrity and resolve turns her into a woman of maturity and strength.” – Rex Reed, Observer.
- “This is such a worthwhile story that we can’t look away, and Nélisse is so engaging that we don’t want to.” – Christy Lemire, RogerEbert.com.
- “While the Nazi’s antics are a bit of a distraction, Irena’s journey is enough to keep the movie well above water. The film is tense, heartbreaking and, in the end, full of hope.” – Zach Youngs, InSession Film.
What Awards and Nominations did Irena’s Vow Receive?
The film was nominated for several Canadian film awards, and won the following:
- Audience Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
- LIUNA People’s Choice Award at the Windsor International Film Festival.
- WIFF Prize In Canadian Film at the Windsor International Film Festival.
Director & Cast of Irena’s Vow
Louise Archambault is a French Canadian director. She has been working in the film industry since the early 1990s and has earned multiple awards throughout her career. She mainly works on mid-budget dramas and aside from Irena’s Vow, we’d recommend the two films she released in 2019: And The Birds Rained Down and Thanks For Everything.
Bilingual actress Sophie Nélisse will be familiar to fans of TV’s Yellowjackets. Her breakthrough role was in 2013’s The Book Thief, and she starred in one of our favourite guilty pleasures – 47 Metres Down: Uncaged.
Scottish actor came within a whisker of being a megastar when he was cast as Wolverine for the first X-Men movie. He had to drop out following a motorbike injury and was replaced by Hugh Jackman. He was also strongly considered to play James Bond until Daniel Craig got the role. Despite never becoming a household name, he has an impressive filmography and has earned a reputation as a reliably capable actor.
Polish actor Maciej Nawrocki is in spine-chilling form in Irena’s Vow. His sadistic cruelty compels the heroine to action, and he’s a suitably evil foil to her throughout the movie. Nawrocki will be a familiar face to anyone who follows Polish television and theatre; he’s a hard-working actor who has worked on numerous projects and developed an extensive resume.
Fun Facts About Irena’s Vow
- During the Christmas scene, when the Nazi guests are singing “Oh, Tannenbaum,” there’s a Star of David ornament hanging on the tree.
- Sophie Nélisse previously starred in the film adaptation of The Book Thief (2013), which shares similar themes to this movie.
- The Soviets imprisoned Irena Gut when the war ended, as they mistakenly believed she was a Nazi collaborator. She later emigrated to America.
- Irena Gut married William Opdyke, a United Nations worker from New York, in 1956. They’d met in a Displaced Persons Camp after the war, and she hadn’t seen him for five years when they were reunited during a chance meeting in America.
- The British singer Katy Carr wrote a song called ‘Mala Little Flower’ about Irena Gut. It can be found on her 2012 album Paszport.
Themes of Irena’s Vow
Irena’s Vow focuses on one woman’s struggle to maintain her faith and humanity in the midst of the Second World War. The lead character is a very strong-willed woman who recognises the evil of the Nazi occupation and tries to do the right thing, even as the world seems to conspire against her.
She first smuggles food into the Jewish ghetto, then later hides twelve Jews in the basement of a home. The movie is a testimony to the strength of the human spirit, although there is the occasional sprinkle of subtle humour. The absurdity of hiding right under the nose of a highly respected Nazi Officer seems implausible, but it’s true. The film never ventures into ‘Allo ‘Allo style comedy, but the incompetence of the Nazis helps to ease some of the tension.
How Does Irena’s Vow Compare to Louise Archambault’s Other Work?
Irena’s Vow is notable for being Louise Archambault’s first English-language film, despite revolving around a cast of Polish and German characters. It’s also arguably her most intense; her previous works mostly revolve around familial and interpersonal dramas, but the historical setting of Irena’s Vow means it inevitably touches upon bleak, real-life events.
However, it does continue Archambault’s tendency to focus on principled female characters. Her previous leading ladies have been quietly determined mothers, sisters, and even an elderly woman living off the grid. Irena is an incredibly brave young woman, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty to stand up for her beliefs, so she could even be considered the toughest woman in Archambault’s filmography.
Iconic Scenes from Irena’s Vow
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- The real Irena Gut-Opdyke did not speak of her wartime experiences for decades. She was inspired to talk in 1975, when she heard a Neo Nazi claiming that the holocaust never happened.
- The film is based on In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer, her life story, which was published in 1999.
- There were plans for the film to be made as far back as 1988, but a dispute over the rights delayed it. Irena Gut-Opdyke had signed over the rights to her life story in an option agreement, but came to regret it and tried to get them back. The case was dismissed with prejudice.
- After the war, Edouard Rügemer returned home but was rejected by his wife and child for his involvement in saving Jews. Ida and Lazar Haller, two of the Jews from the cellar, took him into their home in Munich.
What’s the Soundtrack Like for Irena’s Vow?
It’s very moving. The soundtrack was composed by Alexandra Stréliski and consists of several evocative instrumental pieces
There are a lot of light piano melodies, and it almost feels like the musical equivalent of a flickering candle flame. It’s hard not to think of the weight of history when listening to it. It’s beautifully done, but don’t be surprised if you shed a tear or two.
Best Quotes from Irena’s Vow
- “What does it matter who we are? What we do is who we are.” – Irena explains her life philosophy in conversation.
- “I made a vow then, that if ever I could save a life, I would.” – Irena is motivated by witnessing a horrific act.
- “Summon the Nutz.” – Fritz Garbinger calls for backup from his gang.
- “I think we should have faith, because if we don’t, something else will die inside of us too.” – Irena talks about the importance of religious beliefs, against the backdrop of unimaginable horror.
What People Are Asking About Irena’s Vow
Irena’s Vow is not currently available for free streaming on either platform in Australia, but you can purchase a digital copy on Amazon Prime.
Yes, the source book has already been adapted for the stage. The Irena’s Vow play debuted on Broadway in 2009 and was written by Dan Gordon.
Irena’s Vow debuted in Australia on August 25th 2025.
Potentially, but only for older children. There are some very upsetting scenes in it, and while cinema can be useful for teaching about the holocaust, we’d recommend against this film for any students under the age of 18.
