Before the Fall (2004)

In 1942, Friedrich Weimer's boxing skills get him an appointment to a National Political Academy (NaPolA) - high schools that produce Nazi elite. Over his father's objections, Friedrich ... See full summary »

Director:

Dennis Gansel

Writers:

Dennis Gansel, Maggie Peren

Stars:

Max Riemelt, Tom Schilling, Devid Striesow

8 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Max Riemelt	...	Friedrich Weimer
Tom Schilling	...	Albrecht Stein
Jonas Jägermeyr	...	Christoph Schneider
Leon A. Kersten	...	Tjaden (as Leon Alexander Kersten)
Thomas Drechsel	...	Hefe
Martin Goeres	...	Siegfried Gladen
Florian Stetter	...	Justus von Jaucher
Devid Striesow	...	Vogler
Joachim Bißmeier	...	Anstaltsleiter
Michael Schenk	...	Sportlehrer
Justus von Dohnányi	...	Gauleiter Heinrich Stein (as Justus von Dohnàny and Justus von Dohnányi)
Claudia Michelsen	...	Frau Stein
Julie Engelbrecht	...	Katharina (as Julie Marie Engelbrecht)
Johannes Zirner	...	Torben Send
Alexander Held	...	Friedrichs Vater

Storyline

In 1942, Friedrich Weimer's boxing skills get him an appointment to a National Political Academy (NaPolA) - high schools that produce Nazi elite. Over his father's objections, Friedrich enrolls, seeing this as his ticket out of factory life to university and a good salary. During his year in seventh column (fifth form), this innocence is altered as Friedrich encounters hazing, cruelty, death, and the Nazi code. His friendship with Albrecht, the ascetic son of the area's governor, is central to this education; a night in the forest hunting for escaped Russian POWs brings things to a head.

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Plot Keywords:

boxing | male objectification | unpunished antagonist | nazi germany | nazi | 

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Taglines:

Men Make History. We Make The Men.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport | Thriller | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany] Official site [Singapore] (English)

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

13 January 2005 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Before the Fall

Filming Locations:

Hamburg, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,036, 9 October 2005, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$144,065, 21 May 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Olga Film, Constantin Film, Seven Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min 110 min 110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Parts of the story are based on incident's in the life of Dennis Gansel's grandfather.

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Goofs

At least one of the Napola boxers and one of the training officers have pierced ears. Very unlikely, this being set in Nazi Germany.

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Quotes

Christoph Schneider: Pull yourself together!
Albrecht Stein: Pull myself together? Do you know what we just did? You shouldn't have shot! You shouldn't have shot!
Tjaden: I didn't give the order. Your father said they had guns!
Albrecht Stein: Why are you looking at me like that?
Friedrich Weimer: I'm not looking at you.
Albrecht Stein: I know what you're thinking. Don't look at me like that!

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Connections

Featured in Smagsdommerne: Episode #2.10 (2005)

User Reviews

extremely touching film

I saw this film once, and needed to return once more to see it again. This film touched my heart in a way that very few others have. Max Riemelt and Tom Schilling give one of the most convincing and stellar performances I have ever seen. Their chemistry on screen is such that the audience becomes fully engaged in their emotion and in their situation. Their heart-wrenching performance is illuminated by director Dennis Gansel's artistic genius. There are breathtaking shots of German landscape and scenery. There are angles and shots throughout the movie that remain very close to you long after the movie is finished. The story is a very vivid reminder of the horrors that man is capable of producing. This German film is a reminder of that horror, but also reminds us that there is innocence within that horror. If anything, this film depicted young men who were stripped of their innocence. Some gave in to the horror, while our heroes fought against it. For those who are lovers of the German language, you will hear no finer dialogue and range of speech than in this incredible work. I urge anyone and everyone to see this film.