The Refusal Poster

The Refusal 1973

★ 7.02 votes94 min📅 1973-01-01

Set against the grim backdrop of Nazi-occupied Austria, *The Refusal (1973)* directed by Axel Corti delivers a hauntingly powerful drama based on true events.

Director: Axel Corti

Cast

Kurt Weinzierl
Kurt Weinzierl
Franz Jägerstätter
Julia Gschnitzer
Julia Gschnitzer
Franziska Jägerstätter
Rose Dybal
Franz's Mother
Helmut Wlasak
Father Fürthauer
Ernst Auer
Farmer
Achim Benning
Major
Uwe Berend
Unteroffizier
Claude Bertrand
Claude Bertrand
Alsatian
Bruno Dallansky
Sergeant
Ernst Essel
Landlord

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Refusal (1973) about?

The film portrays the final days of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer executed by the Nazis for refusing to serve in Hitler's army. His moral stand against the regime becomes a powerful symbol of resistance in the face of overwhelming oppression.

Who directed The Refusal?

Axel Corti directed *The Refusal*. Known for his evocative storytelling rooted in historical and social themes, Corti crafts a poignant meditation on conscience in cinema.

Who stars in The Refusal?

The film features Kurt Weinzierl in the lead role, supported by Julia Gschnitzer, Rose Dybal, Helmut Wlasak, and Ernst Auer.

Is The Refusal (1973) worth watching?

*The Refusal* is a compelling historical drama that delivers emotional depth and moral weight. While it's a lesser-known TV movie, its powerful narrative and strong performances make it a deeply moving experience for fans of thought-provoking cinema.

How long is The Refusal?

The Refusal runs for 94 minutes.

About The Refusal (1973) — The True Story of a Farmer Who Defied the Nazis

Set against the grim backdrop of Nazi-occupied Austria, *The Refusal (1973)* directed by Axel Corti delivers a hauntingly powerful drama based on true events. The film traces the final days of Franz Jägerstätter, a humble Austrian farmer whose unwavering moral conviction leads him to defy the Nazi regime at the height of World War II. As Jägerstätter faces unimaginable pressure to compromise his principles, the story unfolds with quiet intensity, exploring themes of integrity, resistance, and the cost of standing alone against tyranny. Starring Kurt Weinzierl in a deeply moving central performance, alongside Julia Gschnitzer and Rose Dybal, this historical drama blends stark realism with emotional depth, capturing the atmosphere of fear and moral reckoning in rural Austria during the war years.

A meditation on conscience and courage, *The Refusal* transcends its TV movie origins to become a timeless testament to the power of individual defiance. Corti's direction lends a documentary-like authenticity to the narrative, immersing viewers in the cloying tension of a society stripped of freedom. With its historical weight and philosophical undercurrents, this film invites reflection on what it truly means to refuse complicity with evil—even when the price is life itself.