Die Frau und der Fremde (1985)

Karl and Richard, two German soldiers captured by the Russians in World War I, become very close friends-so close that Richard shares intimate stories about his wife, Anna. Through these ... See full summary »

Director:

Rainer Simon

Writers:

Leonhard Frank (novel), Rainer Simon

Stars:

Joachim Lätsch, Peter Zimmermann, Kathrin Waligura

6 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joachim Lätsch	...	Karl
Peter Zimmermann	...	Richard
Kathrin Waligura	...	Anna
Christine Schorn	...	Trude
Siegfried Höchst	...	Horst
Hans-Uwe Bauer	...	Verwirrter Soldat
Katrin Knappe	...	Marie
Ulrich Mühe	...	Revolutionär
Herbert Sand	...	Kriegsinvalide
Daniel Fries	...	Trudes kleiner Sohn
Roman-Eckhard Galonska	...	Nachbar
Mirko Haninger	...	Soldat am Fenster
Reiner Heise	...	Deutscher Gefangener
Rita Hirschberger	...	Elfie
Karl-Ernst Horbol	...	Radfahrer (as Karl Ernst Horbol)

Storyline

Karl and Richard, two German soldiers captured by the Russians in World War I, become very close friends-so close that Richard shares intimate stories about his wife, Anna. Through these stories, Karl falls in love with her in his thoughts. When Karl escapes and goes to Richard's home, Anna knows he is not her husband. But although she tries to resist Karl's love, she feels a growing response to him. Then, one day, Richard returns... This beautifully shot work was the only East German film ever to win the Golden Bear at the West German Berlin International Film Festival. Shortly after this success, however, the film's distribution was suspended due to problems with the literary rights. After over 20 years, the film is now finally available again.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Details

Country:

East Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

31 January 1985 (East Germany)

Also Known As:

The Woman and the Stranger

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deutsche Film (DEFA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Color:

Color (Orwocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Character Study

Well this one is very foreseeable (even without reading anything about the story or knowing anything about that period of time), but still this is not the weakest point. The weak point is the acting. And while you have to give the movie kudos for tackling some serious themes and especially being made in the then eastern part of Germany (with quite some serious trouble in the movie making process), it just doesn't make the cut.

At least in my book. At the Berlin Film Festival it seemed to strike some nerves, but then again, it might have been some political reason too (see "West vs. East Germany" after the second world war). If you like slow pacing movies and don't mind the stiff acting, you will enjoy this movie though.