So weit die Füße tragen (2001)

As prisoner of war Clemens Forell, a German soldier during WW II, is sentenced to a labour camp in far east Siberia. After four years working in the mines he escapes from the camp (in 1949)... See full summary »

Director:

Hardy Martins

Writers:

Josef Martin Bauer (novel), Bastian Clevé,

Stars:

Bernhard Bettermann, Iris Böhm, Anatoliy Kotenyov

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bernhard Bettermann	...	Clemens Forell
Iris Böhm	...	Kathrin Forell
Anatoliy Kotenyov	...	Oberleutnant Kamenev (as Anatoly Kotenyov)
Michael Mendl	...	Dr. Stauffer
Irina Pantaeva	...	Irina
Hans-Uwe Bauer	...	Leibrecht (as Hans Uwe Bauer)
André Hennicke	...	Bauknecht
Antonio Wannek	...	Mattern
Johannes Hitzblech	...	Danhorn
Stephan Wolf-Schönburg	...	Klugmann
Irina Narbekova	...	Dr. Pachmutova
Pavel Lebeshev	...	Lagerkommandant
Vladimir Korpus	...	Semjon (as Wladimir Korpus)
Igor Filchenkov	...	Anastas (as Igor Filtschenkov)
Tschmid Rintshinov	...	Kolka

Storyline

As prisoner of war Clemens Forell, a German soldier during WW II, is sentenced to a labour camp in far east Siberia. After four years working in the mines he escapes from the camp (in 1949) and tries to get home to his wife and children. For three years he journeys through Siberia. An odyssey of 14,000 kilometers, set against a backdrop of desolate and inhospitable landscape, beset by danger (from both animals and humans). Constantly battling the worst nature can throw at him, Forell makes his way, step by step towards Persia and the longed-for freedom. Sometimes riding on trains, sometimes by boat, mostly on foot, he never knows if his next step won't be his last. His prosecutor Kamenev is always right behind him, and more than once it seems that Forell is captured again...

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Plot Keywords:

siberia | mine | journey | train | prisoner | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official Site [de]

Country:

Germany

Language:

German Russian

Release Date:

27 December 2001 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Ameddig a lábam bírja

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Budget:

DEM 15,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

B & C Filmproduktion GmbH, Cascadeur Filmproduktion GmbH, KC Medien

Technical Specs

Runtime:

158 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bernhard Bettermann's grandfathers both were sent to Soviet POW camps at the end of World War Two.

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Goofs

Anastas' dead body changes positions between shots.

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Connections

Remake of As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me (1959)

User Reviews

Great adventure

This film is a good example of how new German cinema could be like. Though shot with a minimum of budget, the authentic atmosphere and the great landscapes, altogether with Bernhard Bettermann's very convincing acting made me enjoy this powerful adventure. The great score by Edward Artemyev, comparable to those great works of Maurice Jarre, added to the suspenseful and emotionally touching attitude. The often laconic dialogue and the very "American" (too emotional for many Germans - Americans will like it!) ending did not damage the pleasing overall impression I had watching it. In addition, "So weit die Füsse tragen" (As far as my feet will carry me) comes up with a topic that is - at least in Germany - seldomly discussed: German POW in Russian gulags after WW2. This is not a war movie! It's a single man's breathtaking adventure, returning to his family at all costs. Clemens Forell's three year walk through Siberia is a true story, which makes the film even more touching.

A strong 8 out of 10, because of the effort the filmmakers put into it.