A Disappointing Continuation

A different way of telling a story

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I view this well-produced wartime drama as being something of a belated apology from Germany.Its story clearly tells the viewer that there were many Germans who didn't adhere to the beliefs and values of their fanatical Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. But, due to the stringent laws set down at the time, they were forced to toe-the-line, or else face severe punishment and, yes, even death.Filmed in b&w, our story concerns young Werner Holt who (through numerous flashbacks) reflects on his experiences throughout the war.First as a wide-eyed student and zealous Nazi-wannabe, disillusionment and hateful resentment towards the almighty SS soon sets in as Werner eventually learns some cold, sobering truths about what allegiance to the Third Reich really means.Competently directed by Joachim Kunert, this 1965 picture was well-received in both East & West Germany upon its theatrical release.One of this film's biggest pluses was that there was no American presence in the story. One of this film's biggest minuses was its 2-hour/37-minute running time.All-in-all - I'd say that this wartime tale was well-worth one viewing. This picture is considered by many critics and historians to be one of the most important German films ever made.

This movie is a cult sleeper waiting to be discovered. If war can be funny than this movie is as funny as "Full Metal Jacket". The end of the Second World War is seen through the eyes of two German teenage boys, one a fanatic Nazi caught up in the glory of war and the other is his friend awed by the experiences they have at the end of the war fighting for a hopelessly lost cause. The nightmarish landscape, photography and surreal atmosphere of situations and characters captures the madness of war in Germany with a unique childlike wishful thinking expressed by the characters. A unique perspective of war that ranks with the movies "Cross of Iron" and Breakthrough"

I was truly disappointed when seeing this film. There is a lot of mistakes, i.e. Russians have AK-47s (!), shots of cannons are poorly made - you can´t see the flash, some scenes are evidently taken in studio, and so on... Moreover, important things were changed - (SPOILER) - in the ending Holt and his company fight against Russians and not against Americans like in the book, ending is horrible vague - Holt goes somewhere, instead of being taken as the prisoner of war... and the worst thing, Holt and his friends have the uniforms of SS, although they originally fought just as standard Wehrmacht soldiers!!! The author of the scenario should be punished worst of all!!!A lot of characters is so flat that if you don´t know the book you can´t absolutely understand what they mean :(Honestly, I don´t like this film and I will play it no time in the future. I have read the book maybe 3 or 4 times but this film is really weak in the comparison with original story.2 of 5 (just for nice Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifles, trenches and one good action scene)

More than remarkable film from East(!)-Germany. Regular German soldiers loose their faith in the war and their commanders when they are confronted with the criminal acts of the SS (their superiors). The key scene plays at a saw mill, where SS troops cut of body parts of innocent civilians. The Russians are nearing and Werner and his comrads think of surrendering. Excellent playing and scenery, with clear personal viewpoints.