"Invincible" purports to be the story of Zishe Breitbart, a Jewish man who made his living entertaining folks through feats of super-human strength. And, I enjoyed it very much, as the film was well acted (especially Tim Roth--who was wonderfully hateful) and the story was quite interesting. However, being an ex-history teacher, I did what I normally do when I watch biographies or historical films--I did some digging to find out about the REAL Breitbart...and was very disappointed. Let me explain...the film purports to be about a Jew who managed to thrive in pre-WWII Berlin despite the strong climate of antisemitism. It shows Breitbart arriving in the city from Poland JUST BEFORE the Nazis came to power in 1933. And, in the epilogue, the film states that Breitbart died JUST before this Nazi takeover. However, Breitbard died in 1925--when the Nazis were an insignificant force in Germany--particularly in areas outside Bavaria. There was no cabaret filled with jack-booted Nazis watching him perform and it is highly doubtful that Breitbart returned to Poland to warn them of the pending Nazi menace. And, he did NOT die in Poland but in Germany.
The bottom line is that the film is all about the Nazis and antisemitism. But, this just wasn't the case and, sadly, tends to diminish Breitbart's life. Why not just tell it like it really was?!
The bottom line is that the film is all about the Nazis and antisemitism. But, this just wasn't the case and, sadly, tends to diminish Breitbart's life. Why not just tell it like it really was?!