Netflix's Munich: The Edge of War is a gripping film that leaves viewers clinging to the edges of their seats. Set in pre-WWII Germany, the stakes are extremely high for many of the main and supporting characters.
Even though it's based on Robert Harris' novel Munich and not historical events, the courage and bravery each character demonstrated is not made light of. Their bravery embodies the beliefs and actions of those in history who stood their ground against the German military. Hartman and Legat prove that bravery is more than a feat of strength; it's a mental and moral battle to overcome danger and fear itself.
Neville Chamberlain
As the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time, Neville Chamberlain's actions were under constant scrutiny. He was fully aware of the importance of his meeting with Hitler and Mussolini at the Munich Conference and the dire consequences that would result if the negotiations fell through.
It took bravery to face them and offer some sort of compromise when he could have neglected his duty altogether. Chamberlain's sense of duty and justice outmatched any fear he may have had. Although he didn't risk his life, he did risk the lives and peace of his country as well as others. In the end, Chamberlain's actions seemed futile as they only delayed the inevitable. The benefit that came out of the meeting was that it helped the United Kingdom prepare for the war, ultimately leading them to victory.
Helen Winter
Despite her minor role in the film, Helen Winter played a big part in moving the plot forward. The classified documents she showed Hartman was the pivotal object the second half of the film focused on. She provided Hartman with these documents that proved Hitler's true intent being a war of conquest.
She acted as Hartman's partner in their plot to undermine Hitler and his plans for Germany. If anyone had found out about their plan and her part in it, she would have lost her job and, worse, her life. Winter was aware of these consequences but insisted that Hartman take the documents to someone who would listen and act on them. Her actions show that she cared more for the good of her country and the lives of others than her own life. Her initial act of bravery allowed other characters from Munich: The Edge of War to take action themselves.
Lenya
Although Lenya is a supporting character with little screen time, she exhibited as much valor as the rest of the cast. Early on in the film, she voiced her beliefs about Hitler and the injustices he was imposing on the Jewish community.
Despite knowing the risks as a Jewish woman herself, she never faltered in expressing her beliefs. She attended rallies and protested, putting an even larger target on herself. Devastatingly, Hartman revealed that this led to her being put in a woman's camp where she became bedridden and vocally unresponsive. Her ability to face fear straight on is what made her one of the bravest characters in the film. Her actions showed her strength and determination to stop the hold Hitler had on the German people.
Hugh Legat
Legat's title as the Prime Minister's secretary put him in the perfect position to help Hartman. He and Hartman held conflicting views. Legat believed in talking first before acting and was more hopeful that someone else would act. This would change by the end of the film.
At the end, Legat no longer held hope and even stated that "we'd be better off without it." As a foreigner and a guest in Germany, he became a spy and not a good one according to Hartman. Legat secretly went around helping Hartman to try to expose the classified documents. In order to stop the impending war, Legat not only put his job on the line but also his life. At the moment, Legat believed that nothing came before stopping the war. Although their actions only prolonged the beginning of the war, they gave the Allies a fighting chance, which helped them win it in the end.
Paul Von Hartman
Hartman had always aligned himself with what he thought was right for his country. Initially, he sided with Hitler, fully believing that we would create a better Germany, but he soon realized how foolish a belief that was.
A couple of years before the war, Hatman was at the forefront of the movement to remove Hitler from power. He even plotted to kill Hitler, getting as far as holding a gun in his presence. This act instilled great fear in Hartman, as he later reveals. In the film, he never second-guessed himself and always led with action first, proving to be a true realist. He could have been killed at any point, but he never faltered in doing the right thing. As with many of the characters in the film, Hartman put his beliefs before his life.