Das zweite Erwachen der Christa Klages (1978)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Margarethe von Trotta

Writers:

Margarethe von Trotta (writer) and
Luisa Francia (writer)

Release Date:

14 April 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Three people rob a bank to help a day care center that's in debt. Wolf is captured, Werner identified...

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Tina Engel	...	Christa Klages
Silvia Reize	...	Ingrid Häkele (as Sylvia Reize)
Katharina Thalbach	...	Lena Seidlhofer
Marius Müller-Westernhagen	...	Werner Wiedemann
Peter Schneider	...	Hans Grawe
Ulrich von Dobschütz	...	Heinz, Ingrids Ehemann (as Ulrich v. Dobschütz)
Erika Wackernagel	...	Mutter von Hans
Friedrich Kaiser	...	Wolfgang
Achim Krausz	...	Bankdirector
Fritz Ley	...	Alter Mann aus Riga
Gertrud Thomele	...	Mutter von Christa
Rosa Sämmer	...	Hausmeisterin
Margit Czenki	...	Reingard, Kindergärtnerin (as Margit Czenky)
Peter Koj	...	Erich, Bruder von Hans
Hildegard Linden	...	Frau im Zug

Also Known As:

The Second Awakening of Christa Klages

Runtime:

Germany:92 min | USA:88 min

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Netherlands:16 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:12

Company:

Bioskop Film

Movie Connections:

Featured in Die Neugier immer weiter treiben (1995) (TV)

Unforgettable (spoilers)

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

While the story and the acting talent of Tina Engel impress me very much, what really impresses me the most in this film is the role of the bank teller played by Katharina Thalbach (who also gives a wonderful performance in 'Engel aus Eisen.') While other characters such as Christa Klages and her friends make me feel that their actions are somehow limited by reasons or easily-explainable feelings and emotions, the role of the bank teller makes me feel very excited because her actions are somehow unpredictable and not ordinary. I could not predict surely what she would do next and how her actions would affect Christa's life. And in my second viewing of this film, though the excitement caused by unpredictability had gone, I found that I still felt captivated by this character and felt I could identify with her. What a great character!

As for Christa Klages, she really deserves to be called 'heroine.' She is not only the central character, but she is strong and can learn to confront both the society and herself. She really gives inspiration. Though she sometimes does something wrong, it's difficult to lose sympathy for her. Tina Engel is perfect for this role. She can show both the strengths and the weaknesses of Christa. Oh, and what a great voice she has!

Apart from these two roles, I'm also impressed by the title of this film, the first sentence said in the film, and the ending. The long title really drew my attention in the first place, and I find it unforgettable. The ending of this film is also unforgettable, and has a very strong impact on me. I feel as if I were Christa herself in the final scene, and everytime I think of this ending, I can still feel what Christa felt. That feeling lasts so long after the film ends.