Based on a true story of German resistance to the Third Reich during World War 2, “ Truth and Treason ” plays it conventionally straight. The familiar elements of a historic film telling an epic story are all there: the righteous hero, the conflicted villain, the systemic violence. There are fiery speeches, chase scenes and tense moments. But Matthew Whitaker ’s film never surprises at any point during its running time, failing to add any singular artistic flair. While telling a compelling story, it plays like so many other films about that dark time in not-so-distant European history.

Helmuth Hübener (Ewan Horrocks) is a religious 17-year-old living an ordinary life with his family in Hamburg — as ordinary as can be during the troubled time the film takes place. He goes to school, pl

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