I accuse (1941)
"Ich klage an" (original title)

In this morbid Nazi sanctioned pro-euthanasia melodrama, a successful doctor is forced to make a heart wrenching decision after his beautiful young wife is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Director:

Wolfgang Liebeneiner

Writers:

Eberhard Frowein, Wolfgang Liebeneiner,

Stars:

Heidemarie Hatheyer, Paul Hartmann, Mathias Wieman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Heidemarie Hatheyer	...	Hanna Heyt
Paul Hartmann	...	Professor Thomas Heyt
Mathias Wieman	...	Dr. Bernhard Lang
Margarete Haagen	...	Berta
Charlotte Thiele	...	Dr. Barbara Burckhardt
Christian Kayßler	...	Landgerichtsdirektor Kriebelmeyer (as Christian Kayssler)
Harald Paulsen	...	Eduard Stretter
Albert Florath	...	Professor Schlüter
Ilse Fürstenberg
Karin Evans	...	Erna Balg
Hans Nielsen	...	Dr. Höfer
Franz Schafheitlin	...	Rechtsanwalt Straten
Erich Ponto	...	Professor Werther
Otto Graf	...	Staatsanwalt Engel
Werner Pledath	...	Pastor Gömer

Storyline

In this morbid Nazi sanctioned pro-euthanasia melodrama, a successful doctor is forced to make a heart wrenching decision after his beautiful young wife is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

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Plot Keywords:

propaganda | murder | doctor | trial | euthanasia | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

29 August 1941 (Germany)

Also Known As:

I accuse

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tobis Filmkunst

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the cast and crew of this film would later face accusations of Crimes Against Humanity at Nuremberg Trials for contributing to the Nazi Action T-4 euthanasia program.

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Quotes

Hanna Heyt: [after willingly drinking an overdose of sleeping pills offered by her husband] Is this death?
Professor Thomas Heyt: This is death, Hanna.
Hanna Heyt: I love you, Thomas...

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Connections

Version of Murder or Mercy (1974)

User Reviews

difficult to judge, excellent film with evil intentions

This is one of the best films made in the third reich with a credible storyline and very credible actors. On the other hand it is one of the most dangerous films containing poison that did not weaken in the 6 decades since its production. This film was intended as a preparation and secret promotion for hitler's euthanasia program. The plot(official, therefore no spoiler): A brilliant doctor's young wife falls ill to multiple sclerosis and urges him to kill her before the agony begins. Unable to find a cure he fulfills her wish and is accused of murder.This sounds like a dime novel but is based on real cases and presented in a very credible way(and I am allergic to sentimental films normally). This credibility and the fact that it is difficult to identify this as a nazi film by simple watching (a few seconds of cutting would remove all evidence) makes this film dangerous even today. The film asks the viewer for his judgement on the topic and even supplies him with possible objections but the answer is inevitable 'pro reo'. So this film could be used as ammunition in todays discussion about assisted suicide and its extensions (e.g. against the patients will if his resistance is considered as irrational by an authority as discussed in at least 2 western countrys). Therefore it (the film)is still banned in Germany except for scientific study. It's a pity, for it IS a very good film but I can't object the reasons.