Search - Triumph of the Spirit on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1989 DVD Release: 04/16/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English, Spanish Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 0 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Drama, War, Docudrama, War Drama, POW Drama, Sports Drama

Triumph of the Spirit is the true story of Salamo Arouch, a Greek-Jewish boxer imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. Arrested while attempting to help his family and friends escape the Nazi juggernaut, Arouch (Dafoe) is slated for extermination. He manages to survive--and to serve as an inspiration for his fellow inmates--by literally boxing for his life. He does this at the orders of his SS captors, who gamble on the outcome of Arouch's bouts. With each victory, Arouch is rewarded with extra bread rations, which he passes on to his family. Counterpointing the main story is the seemingly foredoomed romantic relationship between Arouch and female inmate Allegra (Wendy Gazelle). An uplifting coda rounds out this grim factual account. Triumph of the Spirit was filmed on location at Auschwitz--the first film of its kind to be lensed in that infamous locale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Willem Dafoe - Salamo Arouch
Edward James Olmos - Gypsy
Robert Loggia - Father Arouch
Wendy Gazelle - Allegra
Kelly Wolf - Elena

Robert Young's harrowing World War II boxing drama Triumph of the Spirit comes to DVD with a pair of transfers. The widescreen anamorphic transfer preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is preferable in every way to the standard full-frame transfer. English and Spanish soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials are limited to the original theatrical trailer. MGM/UA has done a decent, if less than spectacular job with this title. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide