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Having been to Germany I could only imagine the difficulties and hardships that would have been faced both in East and West Germany, especially in towns like Mödlareuth where a small village was literally divided in half. It was nick named “Little Berlin” by the Americans between 1949 and 1990 cause just like the city Berlin, it too had a wall that divided the Russian and American Sector.
There have been quite a few movies showing glimpses of life in divided Germany such as the 1961 Billy Wilder comedy One, Two, Three starring James Cagney as a Coca-Cola boss in West Berlin who is given the task of looking after his boss’ troublesome daughter, the fantastic Guy Hamilton (same guy who directed some Bond films) 1966 film Funeral in Berlin which stars Michael Caine as British agent Harry Palmer sent to Berlin to assist the defection of a Russian official (this is the second film in the series, the first being The Ipcress File). However, there are others that detailed life behind the wall such as the outstanding 2006 Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck eye-opener The Lives of Others which shows the Stasi (State Security Service) in action as they spy on some artists in East Berlin. These are only three of many films made both during the Berlin Wall/Cold War era (1949 to 1989) all telling the story from a different point of view.
In Deutschland 83 (set in 1983) however we have a story being told during the latter years of the divided Germany where the nuclear threat was high. The East German HVA (Main Directorate for Reconnaissance - Hauptverwaltung Aufklärung) recruit rookie Martin Rauch to infiltrate the West German army to learn more about the West’s military capabilities and in particular their abilities to conduct nuclear warfare against both East Germany (GDR) and Russia directly.
Martin goes to the West and learns the ropes of being a spy quickly and gains trust yet is torn between the love for his girlfriend and sick mother who are left behind in the East and susceptible to, shall we say, “encouragement” from the secret police and need to serve his country and protect the East from possible attacks. As the threat builds, Martin's involvement gets deeper and deeper and decisions become harder especially as close relationships are formed.
Put simply, the show is absolutely brilliant in virtually every way, be that production values, storytelling, nail-biting suspense and of course the awesome 80’s soundtrack. The use of actual footage adds to the realism of the whole show and the actors are simply fantastic. The whole thing gets you in and leaves you wanting more out of this 8-episode series. Thankfully there is a Deutschland 86 being done though it doesn’t come out till 2018 and there is hope that a Deutschland 89 will also be done (1989 is when the Berlin Wall came down).
There are a few scenes of nudity but overall it is a brilliant series that is most certainly worth watching. The series was purchased through Google Play however there is a DVD available in your local JB Hifi for Aussies. Apart from the nudity and one or two gay scenes, it comes very highly recommended.
Movie ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FEJAMQ3JZiahD1k_kxvLpEOg2xmSMxNfrnX3N_tIa58Rmz820y_xzNA-E5WUv8ygtZ5YaqYx4KYTtFkvw3yDtaM80kUFEaQM5ox8X0kjzI5pZu1im-HvoHjte_E1LuKAVVVaY49FsyIcOtd24g)
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Image![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FEJAMQ3JZiahD1k_kxvLpEOg2xmSMxNfrnX3N_tIa58Rmz820y_xzNA-E5WUv8ygtZ5YaqYx4KYTtFkvw3yDtaM80kUFEaQM5ox8X0kjzI5pZu1im-HvoHjte_E1LuKAVVVaY49FsyIcOtd24g)
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Yes isn't this a FANTASTIC show!!!!! I found Martin to be a really likeable character and rooted for him all the way! The suspense, the music are all great too.
ReplyDeleteThe miniseries wasn't a big hit in Germany, I wonder why? However it did very well in other countries, thankfully! I'm REALLY looking forward to Deutschland 86, and hopefully 89!
It certainly is! Soon after the start of the first episode I was hooked cause I find that setting and period quite interesting. Having been there when the wall had been down for 20 years (2009) so I guess it adds another layer of reality and perspective especially seeing where the wall used to go and also the village of Mödlareuth.
DeleteI guess for the German people it is not the best of memories so that may be a reason for it's lack of popularity. As it would likely be aimed at the younger generation, many may not really want to remember or bring up the past. Anyway, whatever the reason I am glad they are doing 86 and also planning for an 89, the year the wall came down.
Ah yes now I recall reading somewhere that many Germans (especially the younger generation) are tired of WW2, Nazis, Berlin Wall, Stasi...this is one of the main reasons why Deutschland 83 wasn't a huge hit in Germany, another reason is that they are not so interested in the '80s period - what a pity!
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I don't think German filmmakers (or indeed other countries) will stop making WW2 and Berlin Wall/Cold War films or TV series anytime soon, there are still so many interesting stories they can tell, don't you think?
There are heaps of stories the can tell in their own unique way and they often do a really good job. Just look at the history of German WW1 and WW2 movies like Die Brücke (The Bridge), Das Boot (The Boat), Stalingrad (not the Russian mess), Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas), Downfall and Sophie Scholl! Fantastic movies that dont have the muck that often sneaks into Hollywood films.
DeleteHopefully we will see more of these quality German films.