This film was very interesting. It was based on a true story although I do not know how closely it follows the rise to fame of the simple Jewish blacksmith, Zishe Breitbart (Jouko Ahola). It all starts with Zishe getting into a little fight in a restaurant because some men are making racist comments about the Jewish people and also bothering his little brother Benjamin (Jacob Wein). Since Zishe busts up the restaurant in the fight, the owner demands that he pay for the damage by fighting the strong man at the circus, which happens to be in town. Well, Zishe is a blacksmith and is very strong and fights and defeats the circus strongman. This starts him thinking about what God has called him to do. He decides to venture to Berlin to seek his fame entertaining people with his tremendous strength. Berlin is where he meets clairvoyant Erik Jan Hanussen (Tim Roth). Erik is a ruthless taskmaster and has Zishe dressing up as a Roman Gladiator performing great feats of strength. The audience, mainly Nazis, think he is great and word spreads all over Berlin of his strength. Throughout the film, Zishe and Benjamin talk of God and what God created them to do.

The film treats God with respect and shows faith, in particular Jewish faith as positive. I was bothered early on with the clairvoyant activities and the “powers of the occult” but later in the film it is shown for what it really is and so, Dove can award the Dove Seal to this edited version. This film is long and drags at times, but has some wonderful moments.