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*** This review may contain spoilers ***
I have seen this movie when it was on TV last year and have to admit that I enjoyed it. The story about plague breaking out in Cologne is slightly unrealistic but the characters are quite likable and the actors are generally good. The story contains several strands, first there is Doctor Lindenthal, a specialist on epidemics who discovers the outbreak, there is Dr. Verena Franke who did experiments with the plague bacteria. Some of the rats she used are stolen from her laboratory and spread the disease. She then works in the hospital where the people who have plague are treated and finally she discovers a cure. She also has a short, sweet romance with Dr. Lindenthal and dies in the end of the plague. The third important plot strand is brother Tankrid, a friar who runs a soup kitchen for homeless people and protests against the seemingly inhuman treatment of the people of Cologne. However, his protest is useless because the measures taken by the police are necessary to ensure the safety of the rest of Germany. He is shot by security forces when he leads some people in an attempt to get out of Cologne. in the end of course plague is defeated and everybody returns to everyday life. I loved the ending when the song "Where or When" is played. it's such a bitter-sweet tune that captures the mood of the movie perfectly. So if you come across the film by chance, watch it, if not, you're not missing something important.
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