Germania anno zero (1948)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

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:

Boy | Nazi | German | Germany | Soldier

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	...	Herr Enning - 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:

Eva: Did you get the Number 2 Card?
Edmund: No, they kicked me out because I'm not fifteen yet.
Il padre: I knew that would happen. Still, I'm glad you're not going anywhere. That's too much work for a boy your age.
Edmund: But it would have meant more to eat. For Karl-Heinz, too.
Il padre: Did you hear that, Karl-Heinz? You know that poor Edmund, at his age, can't support all of us. He's still a child. But you, what do you do? You keep hiding. You didn't even register for a food card.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Taxi zum Klo (1981)

The Führer of Films!

An intricate web was weaved with the lives of post World War Two's deprived people amongst the reins of Berlin, Germany and that of mans ultimate struggle for survival. That web is the work of Italian film maker, Roberto Rossellini. His final installation of the war trilogy, beginning with Open City (1945), follow by Paisà (1946), ended with an amazing expression of talent from behind the camera and in front. What is not to be forgotten from the film Germany Year Zero (1947-8) is that time in history when people lived `as if tragedy was natural'. We watch as the social infection of survival of the fittest works its way into the life of a twelve year old, German boy named Edmund Koeler (played by Edmund Moeschke). The challenge of survival begins its grip on young Edmund as a result of dealing with life in post-war consequences. The simply desperate life of Edmund and his family was further brought to life with the cinematography that gives shape to the psychological states of it characters through stylized visuals land marking the film noir derived from German expressionism. Along with several dehumanizing high angle shots, the shadowy look into this family's life makes for a powerful film, as well as a powerful message.