Der Überläufer

Do not be misled by the first episode, to think that this is the average war-time drama. This mini-series starts with the big conflict between nazi Germany and the world. Narrows down to the conflict between the Germans and the Russians in Eastern Germany, and then lets you realize that the conflict this movie (series) actually depicts is the conflicts in the head of a young German soldier. This is about friendship, about trust, and perhaps most of all about the forbidden, and totally impossible love between soul mates who meet against all odds.

All the acting, from all actors, are totally believable. This is one of the most beautiful, touching, and thought-provoking mini-series I have ever seen. Kudos to Jannis Niewöhner, Malgorzata Mikolajczak and Sebastian Urzendowsky. I have never seen them before, but they are incredible.

War films and series often go along with simple solutions and plots and most notably, they keep repeating same stories.

Some might say, that two episodes were too few for dealing the story and some things should have had more space. It is partly true, but it is also interesting to see something, where not everything is made finished for the viewer. Situations in real life aren't so why make it like that always in movies? Haven't read the book, but I would guess that the plot in series follows it well.

I love movies set in WW2 but this was really incredibly bad. The main actor has the charisma of a potato bag, and he doesn't get across the difficult inner conflict and emotions of the situation at all. And the love story! God. Never have I seen a less believable love story in all my life. Though the female lead is still the only character with a bit of interest, all the others are flat and cartoonish. Not to be recommended unless you just want to spend a few hours in early 20st century Europe, cause the costumes and sets are nice to look at nonetheless.

On the one hand part of the plot was nonsense, a Polish partisan falling in love with a young soldier fighting for the Nazis. On the other hand, very real situations were portrayed such as sabotage, moral dilemmas, the sheer horror of what men become during a protracted campaign. And, as well, the realisation that what replaced the Nazis was as bad in its own right.

Money was spent on this production. There must have been hundreds of extras and the locations, including the train wreck, must have cost a pretty penny as must the uniforms have done.

There were some loose ends - the sister, for example. However, when I thought about it, there must have been millions in Walter's position after the war with such unresolved issues.

I watched the four episodes within a day and could have done with more. The equivocal ending was just perfect though.

A very good movie. Makes me think. Raises questions that are important at all times, especially now when people, nations and countries are divided: by apartments, houses, countries, continents. This division and emphasis on individual, personal development of a person to the detriment of social, community development and general ignorance of people lead to wars. In wars, the winners are the arms dealers, those who took over the planet with our own consent. All other losers. It's time for people to understand that we are all part of a single organism called humanity and we have nothing to divide. On the contrary, it is necessary to unite and live as a whole. This is an inevitable future and those who do not accept it are doomed to extinction.

And I can't say anything bad about the bias. In my opinion, everything is shown as it was in reality. At least one of the many faces is shown.