Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt (1965)

Two 17-year-olds, Werner Holt and Gilbert Wolzow, are pulled out of school and into Hitler's army. Gilbert becomes a fanatical soldier, but at the front Werner begins to understand the ... See full summary »

Director:

Joachim Kunert

Writers:

Joachim Kunert, Claus Küchenmeister

Stars:

Klaus-Peter Thiele, Manfred Karge, Arno Wyzniewski

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Klaus-Peter Thiele	...	Werner Holt
Manfred Karge	...	Gilbert Wolzow
Arno Wyzniewski	...	Sepp Gomulka
Günter Junghans	...	Christian Vetter
Peter Reusse	...	Peter Wiese
Wolfgang Langhoff	...	Werners Vater, Professor Holt
Karla Chadimová	...	Milena
Monika Woytowicz	...	Gundel
Dietlinde Greiff	...	Marie Krüger
Angelica Domröse	...	Uta Barnim
Maria Alexander	...	Gertie Ziesche
Wolf Kaiser	...	Generalmajor Wolzow
Erika Pelikowsky	...	Frau Wolzow
Martin Flörchinger	...	Sepp's Vater, Rechtsanwalt Gomulka
Helga Göring	...	Mutter Gomulka

Storyline

Two 17-year-olds, Werner Holt and Gilbert Wolzow, are pulled out of school and into Hitler's army. Gilbert becomes a fanatical soldier, but at the front Werner begins to understand the senselessness of war. When Gilbert is hanged by the SS, Werner turns his gun on his own army. This film, based on Dieter Noll's novel, is a political and artistic masterpiece. Its fresh and surprising frankness about the toll war takes on youth found great public resonance after the film's release.

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Plot Keywords:

cigarette smoking | army | ss | soldier | school | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Details

Country:

East Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

4 February 1965 (East Germany)

Also Known As:

Les aventures de Werner Holt

Filming Locations:

Quedlinburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deutsche Film (DEFA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

164 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

User Reviews

For The Record - During WW2, Not All Germans Were Swastika-Waving, Nazi-Lovers

I view this well-produced wartime drama as being something of a belated apology from Germany.

Its story clearly tells the viewer that there were many Germans who didn't adhere to the beliefs and values of their fanatical Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. But, due to the stringent laws set down at the time, they were forced to toe-the-line, or else face severe punishment and, yes, even death.

Filmed in b&w, our story concerns young Werner Holt who (through numerous flashbacks) reflects on his experiences throughout the war.

First as a wide-eyed student and zealous Nazi-wannabe, disillusionment and hateful resentment towards the almighty SS soon sets in as Werner eventually learns some cold, sobering truths about what allegiance to the Third Reich really means.

Competently directed by Joachim Kunert, this 1965 picture was well-received in both East & West Germany upon its theatrical release.

One of this film's biggest pluses was that there was no American presence in the story. One of this film's biggest minuses was its 2-hour/37-minute running time.

All-in-all - I'd say that this wartime tale was well-worth one viewing. This picture is considered by many critics and historians to be one of the most important German films ever made.