Reunion (1989)

Director:

Jerry Schatzberg

Writers:

Harold Pinter (writer)
Fred Uhlman (novel)

Release Date:

17 May 1989 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Two young boys from very different backgrounds become friends in 1933 Stuttgart. However, they don't...

Plot Keywords:

German | Anti Semitism | Reference To Goethe | Friendship Between Boys | 1940s

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jason Robards	...	Henry Strauss
Christien Anholt	...	Hans Strauss, as a young man
Samuel West	...	Count Konradin von Lohenburg
Françoise Fabian	...	Countess von Lohenburg
Maureen Kerwin	...	Lisa
Dorothea Alexander	...	Old Countess Gertrud
Frank Baker	...	The Zionist
Tim Barker	...	Zimmermann - a teacher
Imke Barnstedt	...	Girl in Tax Building
Gideon Boulting	...	Prince Hubertus
Alan Bowyer	...	Bollacher
Jacques Brunet	...	Count von Lohenburg
Rupert Degas	...	Muller
Robert Dietl	...	Gardener at Old Grafin's
Luc-Antoine Diquéro	...	Young Lover

Also Known As:

Der wiedergefundene Freund (West Germany)
L'ami retrouvé (France)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

France | West Germany | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | Iceland:L | UK:12 | West Germany:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Company:

Arbo

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In 1932, Germany used the same flag it uses today. That flag was used 1848-1852, 1919-1933, and 1950-present.

Quotes:

Dr. Jakob Strauss: This is the land of Goethe and Schiller and Beethoven. They won't fall for that!

A rare example of involving storytelling.

I saw the film only once, way back in 1989 when it came out in Europe. I was very touched than: the film, its characters, colors, landscapes and music echoed in my head and heart for a long time after, although I remember beeing under heavy private and professional pressure at the time.

Those echos never stopped to come up, and two weeks ago, after a long night with some friends discussing films, directors and so forth, Jerry Schatzberg's name came up, and I could not withstand to recount my experience with REUNION. The day after I rented the film: believe me, after 15 years it had almost the same effect on me. "Almost" because after 15 years I have changed...

I'd hope more people would make films like that, not only plotwise: Schatzberg's craftsmanship and art of storytelling makes him one of the finest artists of his kind.

P.S.: If in this review I would rather not talk about the plot, characters or other details, this is because I don't want to spoil your viewing pleasure. If a review makes you curious, go rent the film: you will not be disappointed...