The Man with the Iron Heart

The Man with the Iron Heart, based on the true events surrounding the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich during World War II, begins in 1942 when the Czech resistance in London forms a plan to execute their most daring and perilous operation, code-named Anthropoid. This clandestine operation seeks to eliminate Reinhard Heydrich, one of the most feared and influential individuals in the Nazi regime, by sending two young and courageous operatives to carry out the assassination in Prague. Jan Kubiš, a former soldier, and Jozef Gabčík, a Slovak infantryman, are chosen for this mission due to their skills and their commitment to the resistance cause. Both men, who have escaped to London to continue fighting against the Nazi occupation of their homeland, are tasked with infiltrating Prague and eliminating Heydrich, who has become a formidable figure in the Third Reich due to his unwavering loyalty and his role as the head of the Reich Security Main Office, the Gestapo, and the architect of the Final Solution – the systematic extermination of Jews and other minority groups. Upon their arrival in Prague, both men, disguised as Slovak laborers, manage to evade detection by the Gestapo and establish a temporary residence in a Prague apartment. Here, they gather information about Heydrich's movements and wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. Meanwhile, they are constantly on the lookout for other members of the Czech resistance, including their contact, Jan Opálka, and others, who have managed to infiltrate Prague and join the cause. As the days go by, both Jan and Jozef become increasingly entrenched in the local resistance network, where they receive assistance from other Czech operatives, including the enigmatic Josef Valčík and the courageous Marie Kopecká. However, their presence in Prague does not go unnoticed for long, as the Gestapo begins to investigate the activities of the Slovak laborers who have recently arrived in the city. As the tension builds, Jan and Jozef become aware that their mission is far from easy. They must navigate through a complex web of spies, informants, and Gestapo agents, all while avoiding detection and maintaining their cover. Furthermore, they must also contend with their own mortality, knowing that one misstep could mean capture and execution for both of them. Meanwhile, Reinhard Heydrich becomes increasingly obsessed with eliminating the Czech resistance and restoring order in the occupied territory. He orders a series of brutal crackdowns on the population, including the execution of dozens of people suspected of collaboration with the resistance. His actions only serve to inflame the resistance and increase their determination to complete their mission. As the Anthropoid operation reaches its climax, Jan and Jozef are finally given the green light to proceed with the assassination. On June 27, 1942, after a series of failed attempts and numerous close calls, both men manage to infiltrate the vehicle carrying Heydrich through the streets of Prague. In a daring and precise operation, Jan Kubiš throws a grenade at the vehicle, but the explosion fails to kill Heydrich. However, Jozef Gabčík emerges and mortally wounds the wounded Heydrich with a pistol shot. Heydrich dies two days later, on June 29, 1942, due to severe injuries sustained during the attack, including severe wounds to the torso and testicles along with extensive burns. His brutal murder sets off a wave of retaliatory violence, as the Nazis begin to execute scores of innocent civilians in a brutal campaign known as Operation Sonderaktion 1005. In the aftermath of the assassination, Jan and Jozef go into hiding, aware that their actions have ignited a firestorm of revenge. They continue to evade capture, while receiving support and encouragement from the resistance network. However, their time is short-lived, as the Gestapo eventually tracks them down and kills them both in a firefight at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Prague on June 18, 1942, although according to reports 18th June does not correspond, the movie does give it. Despite ultimately failing to escape the Gestapo, the bravery and sacrifice of Jan and Jozef serve as a testament to the spirit of resistance that defined the Czech people during World War II. Their actions, coupled with those of numerous other courageous Czechs, helped to weaken the Nazi regime and pave the way for the eventual Allied victory. The Man with the Iron Heart serves as a vivid reminder of the human cost of war and the enduring legacy of courage and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming adversity.