Germany Year Zero (1948)

A young German boy faces the problems of the tough life in the immediate post WWII Berlin.

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Roberto Rossellini (screenplay), Roberto Rossellini (dialogue)

Stars:

Edmund Moeschke, Ernst Pittschau, Ingetraud Hinze

3 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edmund Moeschke	...	Edmund Köhler (as Edmund Meschke)
Ernst Pittschau	...	Il padre
Ingetraud Hinze	...	Eva (as Ingetraud Hinz)
Franz-Otto Krüger	...	Karl-Heinz (as Franz Grüger)
Erich Gühne	...	Il maestro

Storyline

Edmund, a young boy who lives in war-devastated Germany after the Second World War has to do all kinds of work and tricks to help his family in getting food and barely survive. One day he meets a man who used to be one of his teachers in school and hopes to get support from him, but the ideas of this man do not lead Edmund in a clearer or safer way of living...

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Plot Keywords:

post world war two germany | rubble | boy | food rationing | post war germany | 

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Taglines:

The country is obliterated, the buildings are dilapidated and the people are desolated.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Italy France Germany

Language:

German English French

Release Date:

19 September 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Germany Year Zero

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tevere Film, SAFDI, Union Générale Cinématographique (UGC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min 71 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is dedicated to Romano Rosselini, Roberto Rossellini's son who died prematurely in 1946.

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Quotes

Edmund: I have no work, and neither does Eva. My brother still won't report and get his card.
Il maestro: I understand, but what can I do?
Edmund: My father needs treatment. Can't you help me? What can I do?
Il maestro: There's nothing you can do. Times are hard for everyone, worse for weak and old people. You've done all you can.
Edmund: But what if he dies?
Il maestro: If he dies, he dies. We all die sooner or later. Would you rather die yourself or let an old man live?

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Connections

Referenced in Cairo Year Zero (2014)

User Reviews

Neorealist view of post-war Germany, provided through the experiences of a 12-year-old boy

This film was without a doubt one of the most difficult films I have ever seen. The directing is very much Neorealist, and as such presents a very objective view of the devastation in post-war Germany and the lives of the people therein. I experienced what the characters went through, and grew numb and tired of the harsh reality of such a ravaged world right along with them. In the character of Edmund (main character) is presented a dark individual fallen victim to the consequences of war within a country, and as I as the audience witnessed the desperation of his life I was, dare I say, almost forced to disconnect myself from the experience. Disconcerting on a masterful level. I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in being probed to examine and challenge their natural response to tragedy.