Jeder stirbt für sich allein
Part 2: Else Grube-Deister (Anna Quangel) and
Erwin Geschonneck (Otto Quangel)
GenrePolitical drama
Based onEvery Man Dies Alone
by Hans Fallada
Screenplay byKlaus Jörn
Hans-Joachim Kasprzik
Directed byHans-Joachim Kasprzik
StarringErwin Geschonneck
Theme music composerGünter Hauk
Country of originEast Germany
Original languageGerman
No. of episodes3
Production
ProducerAdolf Fischer
CinematographyLothar Gerber
Running time314 minutes (total)
Production companyDEFA
Original release
ReleaseSeptember 12 (1970-09-12) –
September 20, 1970 (1970-09-20)

Jeder stirbt für sich allein (1970) is a German television miniseries produced by DEFA in the former German Democratic Republic. The story was adapted from the 1947 Hans Fallada novel, Every Man Dies Alone, known in the UK as Alone in Berlin. It was directed by Hans-Joachim Kasprzik and starred Erwin Geschonneck.

Background

The three-part miniseries was directed by Hans-Joachim Kasprzik, who also co-wrote the screenplay. It stars Erwin Geschonneck and Else Grube-Deister as Otto and Anna Quangel.[1][2] It is based on a true story, that of Otto and Elise Hampel, a working class couple in wartime Berlin who began a postcard campaign to resist the Nazis and the Third Reich and were arrested, tried before the Volksgerichtshof and executed at Plötzensee Prison.

Synopsis

The story takes place in Berlin in 1940, where Otto Quangel is a toolmaker at a factory.[2] His wife, Anna, is a homemaker. Though their son is fighting on the front, they are apolitical and Otto is not a member of any political party. Otto and Anna learn that their son has fallen "like a hero" in France and are devastated. In addition, a Jewish neighbor meets a violent death.[3] In his grief and horror, Otto becomes politicized and decides to take action against the Nazis,[1][3] hoping to foment a mass rebellion against Hitler. Though nothing comes of their efforts, the Quangels remain proud of what they've done; it enabled them to retain their faith in humanity.[2] They are arrested, separated, tried, sentenced and executed.[2]

Reception

The kabel eins film lexicon calls the miniseries, "A star-studded, evocative, solid film that centers on the anti-fascist resistance struggle of a working class couple."

Cast (partial list)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Jeder stirbt für sich allein" Ost-Film. Retrieved March 7, 2012 (in German)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Jeder stirbt für sich allein 1969/70" kabel eins Lexicon. Retrieved March 7, 2012 (in German)
  3. 1 2 "Jeder stirbt für sich allein" Prisma: Ihr TV-Guide, Prisma Verlag. Retrieved March 8, 2012 (in German)
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