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Triumph of the Spirit

Play trailer Poster for Triumph of the Spirit R,  1989,  2h 1m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 63% 8 Reviews Tomatometer 53% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
63% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In Greece during World War II, Salamo Arouch (Willem Dafoe), a young Jewish boxer, meets regularly with girlfriend Allegra (Wendy Gazelle) until they and their families are sent to Auschwitz. When the Nazis learn of his boxing record, they force him to participate in weekly boxing matches, threatening his family if he refuses. Salamo fights well, despite knowing every person he defeats will be killed. As Allegra sustains him, Salamo fights for the extra rations that will keep his father alive.

Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jan 1, 2000
1/4
Blinded by the fact that the story is based on a man's life, that it "actually happened," the film seems to assume that the message is in the very accuracy itself. But at the end we feel confused and unsatisfied. Go to Full Review
Jeffrey Lyons Video Review Aug 5, 2022
3/4
If this sounds depressing and difficult to endure, well, it is. But it is also a gripping, powerful movie, with performances as forceful as the screenplay. Go to Full Review
Ryan Murphy Miami Herald Aug 17, 2021
3/4
Triumph is spooky, and it is winningly effective that way. Go to Full Review
Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Oct 9, 2005
3/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 1, 2005
3/5
Bob Grimm Las Vegas Mercury May 19, 2005
3/5
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Triumph of the Spirit

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Robert M. Young

Director

Willem Dafoe

Salamo Arouch

Edward James Olmos

Gypsy

Robert Loggia

Father Arouch

Wendy Gazelle

Allegra

Kelly Wolf

Elena

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Triumph of the Spirit

Triumph of the Spirit (1989) Triumph of the Spirit (1989) Triumph of the Spirit (1989) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In Greece during World War II, Salamo Arouch (Willem Dafoe), a young Jewish boxer, meets regularly with girlfriend Allegra (Wendy Gazelle) until they and their families are sent to Auschwitz. When the Nazis learn of his boxing record, they force him to participate in weekly boxing matches, threatening his family if he refuses. Salamo fights well, despite knowing every person he defeats will be killed. As Allegra sustains him, Salamo fights for the extra rations that will keep his father alive.
Director
Robert M. Young
Producer
Shimon Arama, Arnold Kopelson
Screenwriter
Andrzej Krakowski, Laurence Heath
Production Co
Nova International Films
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 8, 1989, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$163.6K
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Surround
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