Germania anno zero (1948)

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Roberto Rossellini (story)
Max Kolpé (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 September 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Edmund, a young boy who lives in the destructed Germany after the 2nd World War has to do all kinds...

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Nazi | German | Germany | Young Boy

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Edmund Moeschke	...	Edmund (as Edmund Meschke)
Ernst Pittschau	...	Il padre
Ingetraud Hinze	...	Eva (as Ingetraud Hinz)
Franz-Otto Krüger	...	Karl-Heinz (as Franz Grüger)
Erich Gühne	...	Il maestro

Also Known As:

Germany Year Zero (USA)

Runtime:

78 min | Brazil:71 min | USA:71 min (TCM print)

Country:

Italy

Language:

German | English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Produzione Salvo D'Angelo

Trivia:

According to his autobiography, Klaus Kinski went in to audition for an unspecified part for Roberto Rossellini when he came to Berlin. He claims that after hour hours of waiting with other actors while Rossellini was on the phone with Anna Magnani in another room, Kinski characteristically burst out in anger and cursed Rossellini. The Italian director replied as he stormed out, "Chi e quello? Mi interessa! Fate gli un provo" (transated: "Who is that? I'm interested! Take a try.")

Quotes:

Edmund: Your friend is in the work service?
Il maestro: He clears the ruins.
Edmund: No mandatory labor for you?
Il maestro: Luckily, no.
Edmund: My brother thought he'd have to. He stayed away.
Il maestro: They all should stay away, those that share our ideas. Remember? Long ago, your father falsified a document to get you out of Hitler Youth. But you said right away that it was false. You knew your duty. I should have reported your father for that, but I didn't because I like you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Serbie, année zéro (2001)

totally true and gut wrenching

this is at times an incredibly painful movie to watch as rosselini portrays the struggle of ordinary germans to survive the devastation of post war berlin and rebuild their lives. the protagonist is a 12 year old boy whose childhood has been stolen by war - he tries to live up to the responsibilities that are forced on him but it's all too much for a skinny little boy to handle. the desperation depicted in this movie really shows the horrors of war for all people - even the ones who initiate it and lose. this is a remarkably compassionate film - i cannot recommend it highly enough. 10 stars.