Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt

original title:
Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt
other titles:
The Adventures of Werner Holt
country / year of production:
German Democratic Republic / 1965
original length:
165 min. , black/white
premiere:
4 February 1965
genre:
melodrama
based on:
Dieter Noll. Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt. Roman einer Jugend. Berlin: Aufbau-Verlag, 1961.
director:
Joachim Kunert
film script:
Claus Küchenmeister , Joachim Kunert
producer:
cinematographer:
Rolf Sohre
editor:
Christa Stritt
composer:
Gerhard Wohlgemuth
cast (role):
Klaus-Peter Thiele (Werner Holt) , Günter Junghans (Christian Vetter) , Wolf Kaiser (Generalmajor Wolzow) , Manfred Karge (Gilbert Wolzow) , Arno Wyzniewski (Sepp Gomulka) , Klaus-Peter Thiele , Günter Junghans , Wolf Kaiser , Manfred Karge , Arno Wyzniewski
more:
Helga Göring (Mutter Gomulka) , Helga Göring
plot synopsis:
Young German soldiers contend with the invasion of the Red Army in the spring of 1945. Despite all indications that the war is lost for Germany, many vow to fight to the death for Hitler and their beloved homeland. Some loose their faith in the war and their commanders when they are confronted with the criminal acts of their SS-superiors. Werner Holt eventually realizes the effort is fruitless and deserts. Ironically, his friend who remains loyal is hung by the SS who mistake him for a deserter, and Holt exacts revenge by gunning down the SS unit from a basement window.
keywords:
dersertion , resistance, opposition , insubordination , war crimes , battle-fatigue
war:
Second World War (1939-1945)
literature:
remarks:
Re-released in 2000.
Flashbacks are often confusing, and the East German film smacks of propaganda by having the hero turning his back on the Nazis to embrace impending communism.
availability:
VHS