Dear Elza!
Performance & Direction: Dear Elza! Review
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Dear Elza! (2014) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this War.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any War is often anchored by its ensemble, and Dear Elza! features a noteworthy lineup led by Géza Bodor . Supported by the likes of Gábor Makray and István Péntek , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Dear Elza!
Quick Plot Summary: Dear Elza! is a War, Drama film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Dear Elza!
Ending Breakdown: Dear Elza! concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to war resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the war themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Dear Elza! reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Dear Elza! Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Dear Elza! uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a war, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: Dear Elza! adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Dear Elza!?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy War films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: Dear Elza!
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Dear Elza! Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
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Historama Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoDear Elza! Parents Guide & Age Rating
2014 AdvisoryWondering about Dear Elza! age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Dear Elza! is 104 minutes (1h 44m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, Dear Elza! is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2014 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dear Elza! worth watching?
Dear Elza! is definitely worth watching if you enjoy War movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Dear Elza! parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Dear Elza! identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Dear Elza!?
The total duration of Dear Elza! is 104 minutes, which is approximately 1h 44m long.
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Critic Reviews for Dear Elza!
_**Well done Hungarian WW2 flick with low-key supernatural overtones**_ On the Eastern Front during WW2, a disheartened Hungarian soldier is constantly refused furlough (Gábor Makray) and captured by the Soviets wherein he’s used as a “trampler,” a POW used to secure mined German-occupied areas for Soviet combatants; his mastery of several languages helps extend his life. “Dear Elza!” (2014) is a Hungarian production that meshes “Enemy at the Gates” (2001) with Indie-styled filmmaking à la “Straight Into Darkness” (2004) along with spiritual underpinnings in the mold of “The Devil’s Nightmare,” aka “The Devil Walks at Midnight” (1971). The paranormal angle is slight, so don’t let that turn you away. If you like WW2 flicks that emphasize the harsh conditions of fighting in the snowy European woods, you should appreciate this. The colorful action is superbly done and makes you feel like you’re in the midst of the combat. Man’s inhumanity to man is emphasized (and by ‘man’ I mean male and female; speaking of which, there are a few female militarists in this, which keeps things interesting). The theme revolves around reality vs. hallucination and the moralistic tension between faith, instinct and reason. Some elements leave you scratching your head, including the ending. Meanwhile some of the editing early on is puzzling and almost derails the film, but if you don’t mind ambiguity and relentlessly downbeat, brutal war flicks, give this one a watch. The movie runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in Hungary. GRADE: B
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.