[WATCH] Terrence Malick’s Exquisite ‘A Hidden Life’ Trailer

Since the mid-2000s, when he ended his post-Thin Red Line hiatus, Terrence Malick motion pictures could be separated into two classes: masterpiece or unwatchable. The New World and The Tree of Life, which is sure to seem on quite a few greatest motion pictures of the 2010s lists: masterpieces. But To the Wonder, Knight of Cups, and particularly Song to Song: unwatchable. My butt nonetheless hurts from sitting by means of all seven hours (or so it appeared) of Song to Song.

Based on the early phrase out of Cannes Film Festival, Malick’s new movie, A Hidden Life, sounds prefer it belongs within the “masterpiece” class. The historic drama, starring August Diehl as an Austrian farmer who refuses to battle with the Nazis throughout World War II, is a “work of genius,” an “intensely romantic work of art,” and a “shatteringly powerful story of faith in crisis.” No one owns “poetic” and “meticulous” — or individuals strolling by means of fields — like Terrence Malick.

Here’s the official plot abstract:

Based on actual occasions, from writer-director Terrence Malick, A HIDDEN LIFE is the story of an unsung hero, Franz Jägerstätter, who refused to battle for the Nazis in World War II. When the Austrian peasant farmer is confronted with the specter of execution for treason, it’s his unwavering religion and his love for his spouse Fani and kids that retains his spirit alive.

A Hidden Life opens on December 13.