Alone in Berlin (2016)

After a Nazi German working class couple loses their son in World War II, they decide to retaliate by secretly leafletting handwritten cards in Berlin denouncing their government.

Director:

Vincent Perez

Writers:

Achim von Borries (screenplay), Vincent Perez (screenplay)

Stars:

Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Brühl

3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Emma Thompson	...	Anna Quangel
Brendan Gleeson	...	Otto Quangel
Daniel Brühl	...	Escherich
Mikael Persbrandt	...	SS Officer Prall
Louis Hofmann	...	Hans Quangel
Katharina Schüttler	...	Claire Gehrich
Jacob Matschenz	...	Dietrich Necker
Godehard Giese	...	Colonel Krüger
Ernst Stötzner	...	Dptm. Head Walter
Lars Rudolph	...	Enno Kluge
Joshua Grothe	...	August Persicke
Hildegard Schroedter	...	Ida Kuhn
Holger Handtke	...	Dollfuss
Rafael Gareisen	...	Herbert Wegner
Monique Chaumette	...	Frau Rosenthal

Storyline

In 1940, German soldier Hans Quangel (Louis Hofmann) is killed in action during the French campaign. His parents, Otto (Brendan Gleeson) and Anna (Dame Emma Thompson), are devastated by the loss and their bereavement is unmollified by the joyful hysteria at Germany's victory. Deciding that Führer Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime are responsible for this tragedy and much more, Otto cannot stand by any longer. As such, Otto begins to create handwritten cards denouncing the regime's abuses and lies, which he secretly deposits throughout Berlin while a disillusioned Anna insists on helping him. As the subversive cards pile up over the years, Police Detective Escherich (Daniel Brühl) is tasked to track down the leafleteer while being pressured by his increasingly impatient S.S. superior for an arrest for this "treason", regardless of actual guilt. As the stakes rise even as Nazi Germany's day of reckoning approaches, Otto and Anna are determined to spread the truth regardless of the odds, ...

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Plot Keywords:

berlin germany | torture | 1940s | germany | opening action scene | 

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Taglines:

Based on the novel, inspired by a true story.

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the novel "Jeder stirbt für sich allein" (Every Man Dies Alone) by Hans Fallada. The novel was allegedly based on Gestapo files to which Fallada was given access.

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Quotes

Otto Quangel: Sometimes I feel the danger - as if it was so physical. I actually feel it.
Anna Quangel: Please, don't frighten me.

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Connections

Version of Everyone Dies Alone (1976)

User Reviews

Great acting

This film tells the story of a German middle aged couple, who lost their only son in the second world war. They start a postcard writing campaign, and leave anti government messages all around Berlin.

"Alone in Berlin" shows two seemingly insignificant individuals who risk their lives because they believe that they could change the society. The acting is very good, Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson are really wonderful in bringing their characters alive. The brief court room scene is very moving. The ending is very good, as it is an unexpectedly fulfilling ending. I did not see that change coming. I enjoyed watching it.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Germany] Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK France Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 January 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alone in Berlin

Filming Locations:

Görlitz, Saxony, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,869, 15 January 2017

Gross USA:

$33,125

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,205,598

Company Credits

Production Co:

X-Filme Creative Pool, Master Movies, FilmWave

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1