The plot is based on the WWII operation to assassinate the Reich's third in command, Reinhard Heydrich. A group of Czechoslovakian soldiers chose to follow orders, a rather commendable action that the film throughly explores. Disregarding their own fates, they chose to do what they believed was the right decision made by government officials in London. They knew the power that Heydrich held in Czechoslovakia and was a valuable asset to the Nazi regime. The beauty of this film, is that I knew nothing about Operation Anthropoid. Having watched this I've taken several pieces of information away therefore proving to be a successful representation of the story. The cast were all pretty good, especially Jamie Dornan who conveyed that vulnerability really well. The legend though, and I use that word with great power, is Cillian Murphy. Possibly one of the most underrated actors working today, he was superb yet again. The more serious and level headed of the pair, he showed emotional conviction and a sense of authority. One thing I did notice was that the forced Czech accents were fading in certain scenes, I'm not the biggest fan of English actors putting on fake European accents. Sean Ellis was a solid director, the final act alone impressed me. Oh and the last five minutes...palpable. Some really beautiful cinematography and was able to capture the tension terrifically. The production design was also fitting, it felt like 1940's Prague and I couldn't tell if any green screen backdrops were used so it looked authentic to me. My biggest negative is the pacing. The first half is so slow and monotonous that I was convinced this was going to go no where. Second half? BOOM! Action, thrills, tension! Perfect for a big screen iteration. The third act is just relentless war...definitely captivating. I also wished the screenplay explored the consequences of the assassination attempt, there was just one scene. Overall though, a slow first half leads to a thrilling second half. Educational and exciting.

If you want to know about Operation Anthropoid, save yourself 2 hours and just go read the Wikipedia entry. What does the movie add to it? Some good acting maybe, a few nice reconstructions of Prague, but that's it. Some random violence (torture scenes), if that's your sort of thing. Not much in terms of good cinematography.Beyond that, you will learn that denizens of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia spoke perfect German for the Germans, whereas the Czechs spoke fluent English with an accent, mixed with a few (usually mispronounced) Czech words (characters are all Czech, whereas some actors are Czech and some English...) Name declensions are sometimes done the Czech way, sometimes not. Characters will comment on other characters' "lack of German accent" in speaking said English-with-fake-Czech dialect. Seriously?Even more disturbing is any real depth to the characters' motivations, nor concerns about the whole morality of their actions. Indeed, in the midst of the apex of 20th century's concentration of senseless massacre and utter Evil, does any of the characters or indeed the movie itself offer any insight into what defines that Evil, and how to actually an effectively fight it?(light) SPOILERS BELOW (it's history anyway)Indeed, the whole rationale of the title's namesake mission is unquestioned. When the two main characters arrive and explain it to the resistance, they do offer reasonable doubt regarding the obvious fact that it will only make matters worse and only cause more deaths (indeed that is what happened: retaliation deaths in the thousands, for what?). Their answer? "We are soldiers and we have our orders." No one raises the obvious question: isn't this *precisely* the kind of irresponsible and immoral attitude without which a grand total of zero of WWII's 50 million deaths would have been possible? And whence are the orders coming from, mind you? British government (the one responsible for Munich) and the Czechoslovak government-in-exile (the one responsible for accepting Munich and surrendering). So the two governments responsible for turning over not only a whole country (with a large Jewish minority...) over for nazi massacre, but also a country with top-notch military equipment, and one of the most heavily industrialized of the world at that time: both essential for further nazi war effort. Shouldn't maybe further orders, obviously *also* leading to massive deaths, coming from those same governments, be questioned maybe? Or indeed, start wondering about the very problem of entrusting whole nations's destinies into the hands of a few (poorly selected) individuals, and then unquestioningly obeying their orders?This movie offers none of that and is thus utterly useless.

Just to be on the safe side I mention that there are spoilers ahead. Although it doesn't take a rocket scientist or an expert researcher to 'find out' how Anthropoid ends, I'm just doing what I figure is best.Americans don't play the heroes and there is no 'Hollywood' ending (ok, end of spoiler alert).Anytime a Nazi gets killed is a good thing (fiction or IRL). Sure, we've seen similar stories in the past (ok, well a lot), and it's almost like there are limitless tales about assassinations or attempted assassinations of top Nazi personnel. But, what I like most about this story is the determination of its protagonists to accomplish their mission – not that they differ from anyone else, but the passion displayed by Cillian Murphy's Josef Gabcik is very inspiring. I am really empathetic to their struggle (and I have Austrian blood in me!) and I feel like I need to help in some way. Like any great soldier these patriots are willing to be killed for the better of humanity and/or their country.I also like that there is no American involvement seen anywhere. There is, however, very little mention of British involvement. The 'real' story is that Operation Anthropoid's operative's, although both Czech and Slovak, were trained by the British. Also, the Czechoslovakian government needed permission from the Brits before carrying out the plan (the Czech government was in exile in London at the time). When I think of Czechoslovakia I certainly don't think of James Bond or Jason Bourne type of planning and 'execution' for the better of the world. I mean really, Czechoslovakia? The home of Pilsner, small cars and a funny language carrying out an assassination of the 3rd most powerful man in the Reich?! WTF. Yes! It works, and quite well.Like the actual story, there are some blunders in the movie, too, but for the most part very enjoyable…in part because there is no 'Hollywood' in it.

Although it takes a while to understand everything that is happening in "Anthropoid", the tension builds and builds to a truly stunning climax.The filmmakers have taken a very up close and personal approach to the events and it makes for a powerful experience.Czech agents Jozef Gabčík (Cillian Murphy) and Jan Kubiš (Jamie Dorman) are dropped into Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia to assassinate the Nazi governor, Reinhard Heydrich. Although successful they are betrayed. Their associates are uncovered and tortured. Finally the small band of agents is trapped and make a desperate last stand. The film is an epic war movie, but played out in picturesque streets, small apartments and finally in a beautiful old church.Lewis Gilbert of "Alfie" fame directed a version of the story in 1975's "Operation Daybreak". Like "Anthropoid" it was filmed largely where it happened, however it attempted to cover more territory starting with the planning in England. It also gave more screen time to Heydrich."Anthropoid" views Heydrich at a distance, much the way he would have been seen by Gabčík and Kubiš.Sean Ellis's film digs deep into the characters with Gabcik and Kubiš shown overcoming personal fears. The film does not shrink from the brutality of the Nazis; the scenes where the conspirators are captured and tortured are grim, and they herald what would befall the agents if they surrendered. It partly explains why they fought so hard – saving the last bullet for themselves.A documentary on the History Channel, "Nazi Hunters; Killing Reinhard Heydrich", posed the question of whether the cost of the assassination to the Czech people was worth it as thousands of men women and children were killed in reprisals.One aspect of the assassination worth considering was Heydrich's potential as number three in the Nazi hierarchy. Hitler loved the guy. Although ruthless (the man with the iron heart) he was brave. He was also intelligent and highly capable. It is thought that Himmler regarded him as a rival and may have denied him medical treatment at the end.If he had not been eliminated, what would Heydrich have been capable of as Hitler began to lose his grip on reality? Heydrich had more guts than Himmler and was more astute than morphine-addicted Goering. Seen in that light, Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš may have changed the course of history more than they knew."Anthropoid" is beautifully made and the staging of the final battle in Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral is so intense you almost feel the chips of masonry hit you in the face. The filmmakers and the actors seemed inspired by the events they were portraying. They have created something unforgettable.