Dresden

A fictional love drama set on the background of Dresden at the end of World War II achieves to illuminate the complexity of human characters under the life-threatening terror of the Nazi-regime and the war.

The excellent cast with Felicitas Woll, John Light and Benjamin Sadler as main figures involve the viewer into a very personal drama. As the screenplay avoids black-and-white-painting, multi-layered characters invite the viewer to a differentiating point of view.

Realistic fire-scenes, carefully computer-animated flying-sequences and the participation of both British and German historians in pre-production contribute to a gripping movie about a sensitive point in German history.

When you are going to watch a movie called "Dresden", it's logical to think that historical bombing of Dresden must be the main argument in it. Unfortunately in this movie the bombing is almost residual in its plot.

We can see a beautiful (but unbelievable) love story between a British officer of the RAF and a pretty German nurse (all in a few days). No real problem about this, but for my was a disappoint because I waited for something different, for more history and less story.

Finally, bombing of the city happens, of course, but it results no impressive. It was one of the most terrible bombings made in history, but in my opinion this is not reflected in the movie, and this is the main cause of its fail.

Briefing, not a bad movie, but if you want to see a war movie or a disaster movie, try another.

It was hard watching the film because it contained so much pain and fear that you could actually "feel" it. The filmmakers did a really good job by showing the "reality" of the war because "Dresden" is damn realistic. Maybe sometimes a bit too much and you often ask yourself if it was definitely necessary to show all these cruel details.

But the film also does not just consist of the usual love story between two people who are actually not allowed to love each other but rather tries to show through that love both sides of the attack - the German and the British side. And that fact makes the film kinda special because it really works.

This TV production ambitiously tackles the dual themes of wartime horror and romance set against the historical backdrop of the Allied bombing of Dresden. While the plot is riddled with implausibilities, it remains a noteworthy piece for its distinct perspective and technical execution.

Cinematically, the movie impresses with its commitment to capturing the visceral reality of wartime destruction. The cinematography is commendable, effectively portraying the devastating impact of the bombing. The use of special effects, especially given the constraints of a television budget, stands out, bringing to life the inferno that engulfed Dresden with a grim authenticity. However, the film does falter in some technical accuracies, particularly with the portrayal of aircraft operations, which may irk aviation enthusiasts but doesn't detract significantly from the overall narrative for the general viewer.

The acting is generally strong, with a cast that, while not widely recognized, delivers compelling performances. The emotional depth brought by the actors, especially in the more intense, dramatic moments, anchors the film's attempt to humanize the war experience. However, some characters, particularly the leads, occasionally come across as miscast. The chemistry between the central couple sometimes lacks the necessary conviction, which slightly undermines the romantic subplot that the film heavily relies on.

The screenplay, while striving to blend historical events with a personal love story, often succumbs to clichés and predictable tropes. This narrative approach, reminiscent of James Cameron's "Titanic," uses a real-life tragedy as a backdrop for a romantic plot, which can feel somewhat contrived and emotionally manipulative. Nevertheless, the film's attempt to remain balanced in its portrayal of both sides of the conflict is commendable, avoiding outright demonization and instead focusing on the shared humanity of the characters.

Despite its narrative flaws, the movie succeeds in its broader aim to evoke a powerful anti-war sentiment. The harrowing scenes of destruction and the detailed depiction of civilian suffering serve as a poignant reminder of the horrors of war, emphasizing the importance of peace and understanding. The film's educational value is also notable, providing viewers with a German perspective on a historical event often seen through a different lens in mainstream cinema.

Dresden is a film that, while imperfect, offers a moving portrayal of wartime devastation intertwined with a story of love and hope. Its technical merits, combined with solid performances, make it a compelling watch for those interested in historical dramas and wartime narratives. Despite some narrative weaknesses and occasional casting missteps, the film's impact lies in its emotional resonance and its heartfelt plea for peace.

I have no idea how historically accurate this movie is, but it gives a good idea of what the bombing of Dresden was like. Yes, there's all sorts of drama and even romance woven into the plot. To me that's expected, otherwise it would be a documentary and maybe even boring. It's really well done for a TV film. The acting is good. The storyline is believable. The effects are very realistic. I don't think this movie was made so that Germans can feel sorry for their suffering under Hitler. Instead, I think it's an acknowledgement of the suffering and it gives the current and future generations a view of the horror of the past. I wish there were stuff of this caliber made for American TV. I hope this gets released with English subtitles so that English speaking audiences get to see it.