Der neunte Tag (2004)

Director:

Volker Schlöndorff

Writers:

Jean Bernard (memoir "Pfarrerblock 25487") and
Eberhard Görner (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 November 2004 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

A drama loosely based on Jean Bernard's Nazi-era prison diary.

Plot Keywords:

Bishop | Gestapo | Catholic Church | Letter | Concentration Camp

Awards:

5 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ulrich Matthes	...	Abbé Henri Kremer
August Diehl	...	Untersturmführer Gebhardt
Hilmar Thate	...	Bischof Philippe
Bibiana Beglau	...	Marie Kremer
Germain Wagner	...	Roger Kremer
Jean-Paul Raths	...	Raymond Schmitt
Ivan Jirík	...	Armando Bausch
Karel Hromadka	...	Pater Laurant Koltz
Miroslav Sichmann	...	Pater Marcel Bour
Adolf Filip	...	Professor Klimek (Kraków)
Vladimir Fiser	...	Bischof Kozal
Peter Varga	...	Józef (Polish Inmate) (as Petr Varga)
Petr Janis	...	Pater Nansen
Zdenek Pechácek	...	Lagerführer
Vaclav Kratky	...	SS-Mann

Also Known As:

Devátý den (Czech Republic)
Le neuvième jour (Luxembourg: French title)
Pfarrerblock (Germany) (working title)
The Ninth Day (International: English title)

Runtime:

98 min | Argentina:98 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Germany | Luxembourg | Czech Republic

Language:

German | French

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Zurich) | Hungary:14 | Czech Republic:12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Germany

Company:

Provobis Film

Goofs:

Anachronisms: While their fellow-prisoner is being crucified, the priests are singing the hymn "Pange, lingua, gloriosi" by Thomas Aquinas (1264). However, they are singing a German version of this song, which was not in use before 1969. In addition, even if they happened to know a German version, it would be more likely for them to sing the original Latin version, as there were priests from all over Europe imprisoned in this block.

Soundtrack:

Frauen sind keine Engel

An amazing war movie about religion

This movie is full of symbols, noticeable and hidden, and takes quite a different step from other WWII movies. A test of will and faith is the lesson that we are given, and I must admit, the whole concept of Judas as the traitor and Luxembourg as the had me confused at moments because above all, "Der Neunte Tag" is a very philosophical movie.

Somebody mentioned the word "propaganda of the Catholic church" in a previous comment-well here's my thoughts on this. When's the last time you celebrated Christmas, had an Ester egg, saw a Pope on TV (not to mention-DIDN'T see any Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Taoist and other important religious figures) or just passed a Catholic church on the way home. We are surrounded by propaganda, and because a monstrous conqueror of the world used it to achieve his objectives almost 70 years ago people make your so called "propaganda" of the 2nd World War as well, right? Don't be so ignorant and offended without a cause my man-it's the Catholic church that started most historical and current wars in the first place.

Now, back onto the tracks. Well written, well acted (I got a chance to ask August Diehl some questions and congratulate him for his role- the 16th Ljubljana Film Festival rocks!!!), and well paced "Der Neunte Tag' is a memorable movie that has something to say and let's you decide everything else.

"It's a philosophical sport, boomerang: you give something and it comes back to you"

9/10 - Recommendations-Anyone seeking a thought provoking movie