User reviews

I rented the video from the local Goethe Institute hoping to find a less painful way to learn some German. I feel as if I've uncovered a treasure. The film is uncannily realistic for anyone who has done a really long journey by train. A few scenes were so convincing I found myself having flashbacks. Funny, unpretentious, and humane - a "romantic comedy" that won't make you want to hurl.

I definitely enjoyed viewing this film at one of its first showings at Filmfest Hamburg back in 1998. I especially admire the almost documentary-like realism with which the long train trip from Germany to Kemijärvi, Finland is depicted (seems that the ferry company Silja line sponsored the film - after all, its ship gets a lot of footage). As to the story, it seemed rather weird to me despite the fact that my own attitude towards trains and timetables is not so far removed from that of the film's protagonist. And isn't it awkward that this "International contest of train timetable experts" takes place, of all, in Inari, which was never reached by any railway, forcing the participants to take a bus for the last stage of their journey?

The film is one of the few precious ones, which takes itself time to tell a story about love and the difference between the "fastest" and the "best" connection to reach a destination. "Zugvögel" made me think of how to live a life: in a fast or in the best way. Well, with the love beside you, it's worth to make a detour.

If you have ever travelled by InterRail or used long distance trains to remote regions in Europe, you will know how realistic this movie is. And these people who know complete timetables, they exist. This movie beautifully introduces an existing romantic and peaceful world widely unknown to automobile enthusiasts.