Ich War 19

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Audience Member Powerful anti-war film looks at the final days of WWII through the eyes of both Russian and German soldiers. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review walter m "I Was Nineteen" starts with the voice of Gregor Hecker(Jaecki Schwarz), 19 and Lieutenant in the Soviet Army, urging German troops to surrender since all hope is lost. I usually advise against listening to propaganda of this sort but since this is April 15, 1945, he may have a point. This is actually the first time he has been back in Germany since his parents fled soon after Hitler took power(a German officer asks him point blank if he is Jewish and does not get a reply. That was not the only good reason for fleeing, by the way) and does not get back to his old hometown of Cologne, so instead must settle for being assigned the commandant of Bernau. "I Was Nineteen" is a stunning, yet episodic(there is an interlude that looks like it might actually be from a documentary), movie about the end of World War II and the futility of war, seen from the eyes of a young man who does not recognize the country where he was born. Identity is a major factor. While Gregor may have no idea what comes next, he is not the only one. My only problem is the Soviets seem to be kinder towards their vanquished enemy than I possibly imagined. Except for a Soviet soldier(Galina Polskikh) venting her anger, the mood is one of weary resignation and exhausted relief amongst the occupying forces that puts it at odds with last year's "A Woman in Berlin," also based on a true story. So, I guess it just comes down to a different point of view. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Hell yes, even better post-war Eastern German films. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Besides all pro russian post war propaganda and red army glorification this movie is one of the most brilliant anti war movies i've ever seen. Based on director Konrad Wolf's diary entries the audience is being given a completely different but also stunningly authentic and believable perspective on WWII just with a surprising human face. Thrilling and full of suspense until the end though I was never bored. Since it still is a politically very biased movie which doesn't cover the darker or more cruel activities of the red army invading Germany during the war's final weeks i can only give it 4 stars... Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Ich War 19

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