Germania anno zero (1948)

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Roberto Rossellini (story)
Max Kolpé (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 September 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Edmund, a young boy who lives in the destructed Germany after the 2nd World War has to do all kinds...

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Nazi | German | Germany | Young Boy

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Edmund Moeschke	...	Edmund (as Edmund Meschke)
Ernst Pittschau	...	Il padre
Ingetraud Hinze	...	Eva (as Ingetraud Hinz)
Franz-Otto Krüger	...	Karl-Heinz (as Franz Grüger)
Erich Gühne	...	Il maestro

Also Known As:

Germany Year Zero (USA)

Runtime:

78 min | Brazil:71 min | USA:71 min (TCM print)

Country:

Italy

Language:

German | English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Produzione Salvo D'Angelo

Trivia:

According to his autobiography, Klaus Kinski went in to audition for an unspecified part for Roberto Rossellini when he came to Berlin. He claims that after hour hours of waiting with other actors while Rossellini was on the phone with Anna Magnani in another room, Kinski characteristically burst out in anger and cursed Rossellini. The Italian director replied as he stormed out, "Chi e quello? Mi interessa! Fate gli un provo" (transated: "Who is that? I'm interested! Take a try.")

Quotes:

Edmund: Where are we? I don't know this area.
Jo: Well, you look out for yourself.
Edmund: I live in Alex. How do I get back at this hour?
Jo: You don't have to go back home.
Edmund: Where am I supposed to sleep? I don't know anybody here.
Jo: It's up to you. Everything around here's empty.
Edmund: By myself?
Jo: [pointing to Christl] With her. Why not? She's your type.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Serbie, année zéro (2001)

Rossellini's great post-war, neo-realist masterpiece

This masterpiece, filmed while the action and subject matter of the film, was at its most intense, is a must see. Featuring non-professional actors, in the neo-realist style which defined post-war Italian cinema, you will experience a lyrical view of Germany, actually devastated Berlin. This is how it was at Hour Zero, or "Anno Zero" when new currency was introduced, and the economy started again from scratch with each German receiving the same (very little) cash to rebuild their lives, and indeed their country. The film has magnificent scenes including the voice of Adolf Hitler coming from a record player among the ruins of the Chancellery, deaths in gutted buildings, and several especially poignant scenes of the young boy who has known nothing but misery during his few years of life, yet continues his fight to survive.