Richard Crouse

Based on a true story, “Irena’s Vow,” a new heartfelt World War II drama now playing in theatres, is a portrait of extraordinary courage in the face of tragedy.

“Yellowjackets’s” co-star Sophie Nélisse is 19-year-old Polish Catholic nurse Irena Gut Opdyke.

Forced into service by the Nazis, first at a sewing factory, then as a housekeeper for Nazi officer Major Edward Rügemer (Dougray Scott), she witnesses an act of unspeakable cruelty that changes her life. Shocked and appalled, Irena makes a vow to help the dozen Jewish tailors she befriended at the factory.

Her plan is audacious. She arranges to secret the tailors away to the basement of the German commandant’s house. If they are discovered, it would mean a death sentence, but, Irena’s hopes, who would look for them in the coal cellar of a Nazi officer?

For two years the twelve men and women live in the basement, emerging only when Rügemer is out of town. Question is, how long can they stay undetected?

“Irena’s Vow” is headlined by a committed and empathetic performance from Nélisse. As Irena improvises a daring, and years long, scheme to rescue her former co-workers, the scenario occasionally challenges credulity, but Nélisse makes sure that Irena’s compassion, bravery and intellect are present and ground the compelling story.

“Irena’s Vow” has nicely detailed period elements, and shines a light on an important hero’s story, but lacks true suspense. The story echoes the historical record, but relies on too many melodramatic moments to be truly memorable.