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{{Short description|1993 German war film}}
{{Short description|1993 German war film by Joseph Vilsmaier}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Stalingrad
| name = Stalingrad
Line 26: Line 26:
*Russian}}
*Russian}}
| budget =
| budget =
| gross = $152,972
| gross = $10 million<ref name=opening/>
}}
}}


'''''Stalingrad''''' is a 1993 German [[anti-war]] [[War film|film]] directed by [[Joseph Vilsmaier]]. It follows a platoon of [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] soldiers transferred to the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] of [[World War II]], where they find themselves fighting in the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].
'''''Stalingrad''''' is a 1993 German [[anti-war]] [[War film|film]] directed by [[Joseph Vilsmaier]]. It follows a platoon of [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] soldiers transferred to the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] of [[World War II]], where they find themselves fighting in the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].


The film is the second German movie to portray the Battle of Stalingrad. It was predated by the 1959 ''[[Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?|Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben]]'' (''Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?'').
The film is the second German movie to portray the Battle of Stalingrad. It was preceded by the 1959 ''[[Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?|Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben]]'' (''Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?'').


==Plot==
==Plot==
In August 1942, German soldiers enjoy leave in [[Cervo, Liguria]], [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]], after fighting at the [[First Battle of El Alamein]], where ''[[Unteroffizier]]'' Manfred "Rollo" Rohleder and ''[[Obergefreiter]]'' Fritz Reiser are introduced to ''[[Leutnant]]'' Hans von Witzland, their new platoon commander. Their unit is promptly sent to the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] to fight in the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].
In August 1942, German soldiers enjoy leave in [[Cervo, Liguria]], [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]], after fighting at the [[First Battle of El Alamein]], where ''[[Unteroffizier]]'' Manfred "Rollo" Rohleder and ''[[Obergefreiter]]'' Fritz Reiser are introduced to ''[[Leutnant]]'' Hans von Witzland, their new platoon commander. Their unit is promptly sent to the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] to fight in the [[Battle of Stalingrad]].


Witzland's platoon joins a company commanded by ''[[Hauptmann]]'' Hermann Musk. Musk leads an assault on a factory, which results in heavy casualties. Later, Witzland requests a ceasefire with the Soviets so both sides can collect their wounded, which they agree to. Müller (called "HGM" to distinguish him from other Müllers) breaks the ceasefire, much to the anger of Witzland and Reiser; the latter angrily assaults him.
Witzland's platoon joins a company commanded by ''[[Hauptmann]]'' Hermann Musk. Musk leads an assault on a factory, which results in heavy casualties. Later, Witzland requests a ceasefire with the Soviets so both sides can collect their wounded, which they agree to. Midway through, Müller (called "HGM" to distinguish him from other Müllers) breaks the ceasefire, and in the ensuing chaos a Russian boy ends up with the Germans. Witzland angrily assaults Müller. The Russian child introduces himself as Kolya.


Witzland's platoon is surrounded in a decrepit building. During a Soviet attack, Witzland, Reiser, Rollo, Emigholtz, and "GeGe" Müller go down to secure the sewers. Witzland gets separated from the others and captures a female Soviet soldier named Irina; she offers to lead him to safety, but instead pushes him into the water and escapes. His men rescue him, and Emigholtz is found severely wounded by an explosive trap, his right leg hastily having to be amputated by the men; they take him to a crowded aid station, where they grab a doctor at gunpoint to treat Emigholtz, who nonetheless dies. They are then arrested by '' Hauptmann'' Haller, who has previously clashed with Witzland regarding the treatment of Soviet prisoners. They are assigned to a [[Strafbattalion|penal battalion]], disarming land mines.
Witzland's platoon is surrounded in a decrepit building. During a Soviet attack, Witzland, Reiser, Rollo, Emigholtz, and "G.G." Müller go down to secure the sewers, during which time Kolya runs away. Witzland gets separated from the others and captures a female soldier named Irina; she offers to lead him to safety, but instead pushes him into the water and escapes. His men rescue him. Emigholtz is severely wounded by an explosive trap, his right leg hastily amputated by the men. They take him to a crowded aid station, where they grab a doctor's assistant at gunpoint to treat Emigholtz, despite the medic's insistence that he is not a doctor. The assistant quickly injects Emigholtz, who dies very soon. The men are then arrested by'' Hauptmann'' Haller, who has previously clashed with Witzland regarding the treatment of Soviet prisoners. They are punished by being assigned to a [[Strafbattalion|penal battalion]], disarming land mines.


Four weeks later, a brutal winter has set in and the [[Operation Uranus|Soviets have surrounded]] the German [[Sixth Army (Wehrmacht)|Sixth Army]]. ''Hauptmann'' Musk thus reassigns the penal battalion—which includes disgraced fellow officer Otto—to combat duty, after the men threaten to mutiny unless their crimes are pardoned. Witzland's platoon defends a position from a Soviet tank column, and emerge victorious after a bloody battle. ''Hauptmann'' Haller later orders von Witzland and his men to execute some unarmed civilians, much to their reluctance.
Four weeks later, a brutal winter has set in and the [[Operation Uranus|Soviets have surrounded]] the German [[Sixth Army (Wehrmacht)|Sixth Army]]. ''Hauptmann'' Musk reassigns the penal battalion—which includes disgraced fellow officer Otto—to combat duty, after the men threaten to mutiny unless their crimes are pardoned. Witzland's platoon repels a Soviet tank column after a bloody battle. ''Hauptmann'' Haller later orders von Witzland and his men to execute a group of unarmed civilians accused of sabotage, including Kolya. Fritz and Witzland protest, but ultimately Fritz has to obey orders and shoots Kolya.


Witzland, GeGe, and Reiser decide to desert and head towards [[Pitomnik Airfield]] in hopes of catching a plane back to Germany, stealing medical tags from some dead bodies along the way to feign being wounded. By the time they arrive, the last transport has left. They rejoin the others in the shelter, where they find Musk suffering from severe [[trench foot]]. While the men recover a German supply drop, Haller appears and holds them at gunpoint, but is quickly subdued; he accidentally shoots GeGe as he falls, killing him. Haller then pleads for his life, telling them about the supplies he is hoarding in a nearby house before being executed by Otto.
The killing of Kolya has a profound effect on the already demoralized soldiers; Witzland, G.G., and Reiser decide to desert. They head to [[Pitomnik Airfield]] in hopes of catching a plane back to Germany, stealing medical tags from some dead bodies along the way to feign being wounded. The last transport plane is about to leave as they arrive, but only officers are allowed aboard. Fritz asks why Hans, an officer, did not try to board, to no response.


They rejoin the others in the shelter, where they find Musk suffering from severe [[trench foot]]. While the men recover a German supply drop, Haller appears and holds them at gunpoint, but is quickly subdued; he accidentally shoots G.G. as he falls, killing him. Haller pleads for his life, first trying to use his authority, then telling them about the supplies he is hoarding in a nearby house, before being executed by Otto.
⚫
In the house's cellar they find shelves stocked full of food and liquor, and Irina tied to a bed. Witzland cuts Irina free. As the rest of the men gorge themselves, a deluded and dying Musk tries to rally them to rejoin the fighting. Otto becomes hysterical and commits suicide. Rollo carries Musk outside, only to find the Sixth Army surrendering to the Soviets. Musk succumbs to the elements upon Rollo being instructed to surrender.


⚫
In the house's cellar, they find shelves stocked full of food and liquor, and Irina tied to a bed. Witzland cuts her free. She tries to provoke Witzland into killing her, but he refuses, instead giving her a pistol and telling her to do it herself. She cannot do it. As the rest of the men enjoy the luxuries, a deluded and dying Musk tries to rally them to rejoin the fighting. Otto becomes hysterical and shoots himself in the head. Rollo carries Musk outside, only to find the Sixth Army surrendering to the Soviets. Musk succumbs to the elements upon Rollo being instructed to surrender.
⚫
Irina offers to help Witzland and Reiser get away, but while trudging through the snow they are shot at by the Soviets; Irina is killed and Witzland wounded. The two Germans get away, but Witzland eventually becomes too weak and dies in Reiser's arms. Reiser cradles his body and freezes to death.

⚫
Irina offers to help Witzland and Reiser get away, but while trudging through a heavy snowstorm, they are shot at by Russian soldiers; Irina is killed instantly and Witzland is shot. Wounded and overwhelmed with grief, he eventually becomes too weak to walk, dying in Reiser's arms. Reiser cradles his body and freezes to death.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 72: Line 74:
* Jaroslav Tomsa as Opa Erwin (Grandpa Erwin)
* Jaroslav Tomsa as Opa Erwin (Grandpa Erwin)
* Pavel Mang as Kolja
* Pavel Mang as Kolja
* Otto Ševčík as [[Major]] Kock (as Oto Sevcik)
* Otto Ševčík as [[Major (rank)|Major]] Kock (as Oto Sevcik)
* Jophi Ries as Schröder
* Jophi Ries as Schröder
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
Line 80: Line 82:


==Reception==
==Reception==
In 1993, the film won [[Bavarian Film Awards]] for Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Production.<ref name=imdb /> It was also entered into the [[18th Moscow International Film Festival]].<ref name="Moscow1993">{{cite web |url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1993 |title=18th Moscow International Film Festival (1993) |access-date=2013-03-10 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403093721/http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1993 |archive-date=2014-04-03 }}</ref> In Germany, the film earned mixed reviews, allegedly due to the second half of the film containing plot holes, although what these apparent plot holes were is not revealed; this may in fact have been a reference to the film's bleak and nihilistic ending.<ref>https://www.filmempfehlung.com/kritik,1312.html Review at Filmempfehlung (in German)</ref>
In 1993, the film won [[Bavarian Film Awards]] for Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Production.<ref name=imdb /> It was also entered into the [[18th Moscow International Film Festival]].<ref name="Moscow1993">{{cite web |url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1993 |title=18th Moscow International Film Festival (1993) |access-date=2013-03-10 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403093721/http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1993 |archive-date=2014-04-03 }}</ref> In Germany, the film earned mixed reviews, allegedly due to the second half of the film containing plot holes, although what these apparent plot holes were is not revealed; this may in fact have been a reference to the film's bleak and nihilistic ending.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20181008175128/https://www.filmempfehlung.com/kritik,1312.html Review at Filmempfehlung (in German)</ref>

The film grossed $10 million in Germany.<ref name=opening>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Screen International]]|date=20 August 1993|page=20|title=Stalingrad scores with opening shots}}</ref> It grossed $152,972 in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0108211/|access-date=March 5, 2023|title=Stalingrad (1993)}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 91: Line 95:
== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=0108211|title=Stalingrad}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0108211|title=Stalingrad}}
* {{Amg movie|149022|Stalingrad}}
* {{AllMovie title|149022|Stalingrad}}
* [http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/stalingrad.html ''Stalingrad''] at [http://preview.reelviews.net/archives.html Reelviews.net] (James Berardinelli)
* [http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/stalingrad.html ''Stalingrad''] at [http://preview.reelviews.net/archives.html Reelviews.net] (James Berardinelli)
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=1072969_stalingrad|title=Stalingrad}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=1072969_stalingrad|title=Stalingrad}}


{{Joseph Vilsmaier}}
{{Joseph Vilsmaier}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1993 films]]
[[Category:1993 films]]
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[[Category:German World War II films]]
[[Category:German World War II films]]
[[Category:1990s German films]]
[[Category:1990s German films]]
[[Category:Films about deserters]]

Revision as of 18:31, 12 April 2024

Stalingrad
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoseph Vilsmaier
Written byJürgen Büscher
Johannes Heide
Produced byHanno Huth
Günter Rohrbach
Starring
CinematographyRolf Greim
Klaus Moderegger
Peter von Haller
Edited byHannes Nikel
Music by Norbert Jürgen Schneider
Martin Grassl
Distributed by Senator Film (Germany)
Strand Releasing (USA)
Release date
  • 21 January 1993 (1993-01-21)
Running time
134 minutes[1]
CountryGermany
Languages
  • German
  • Russian
Box office$10 million[2]

Stalingrad is a 1993 German anti-war film directed by Joseph Vilsmaier. It follows a platoon of German Army soldiers transferred to the Eastern Front of World War II, where they find themselves fighting in the Battle of Stalingrad.

The film is the second German movie to portray the Battle of Stalingrad. It was preceded by the 1959 Hunde, wollt ihr ewig leben (Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?).

Plot

In August 1942, German soldiers enjoy leave in Cervo, Liguria, Italy, after fighting at the First Battle of El Alamein, where Unteroffizier Manfred "Rollo" Rohleder and Obergefreiter Fritz Reiser are introduced to Leutnant Hans von Witzland, their new platoon commander. Their unit is promptly sent to the Eastern Front to fight in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Witzland's platoon joins a company commanded by Hauptmann Hermann Musk. Musk leads an assault on a factory, which results in heavy casualties. Later, Witzland requests a ceasefire with the Soviets so both sides can collect their wounded, which they agree to. Midway through, Müller (called "HGM" to distinguish him from other Müllers) breaks the ceasefire, and in the ensuing chaos a Russian boy ends up with the Germans. Witzland angrily assaults Müller. The Russian child introduces himself as Kolya.

Witzland's platoon is surrounded in a decrepit building. During a Soviet attack, Witzland, Reiser, Rollo, Emigholtz, and "G.G." Müller go down to secure the sewers, during which time Kolya runs away. Witzland gets separated from the others and captures a female soldier named Irina; she offers to lead him to safety, but instead pushes him into the water and escapes. His men rescue him. Emigholtz is severely wounded by an explosive trap, his right leg hastily amputated by the men. They take him to a crowded aid station, where they grab a doctor's assistant at gunpoint to treat Emigholtz, despite the medic's insistence that he is not a doctor. The assistant quickly injects Emigholtz, who dies very soon. The men are then arrested by Hauptmann Haller, who has previously clashed with Witzland regarding the treatment of Soviet prisoners. They are punished by being assigned to a penal battalion, disarming land mines.

Four weeks later, a brutal winter has set in and the Soviets have surrounded the German Sixth Army. Hauptmann Musk reassigns the penal battalion—which includes disgraced fellow officer Otto—to combat duty, after the men threaten to mutiny unless their crimes are pardoned. Witzland's platoon repels a Soviet tank column after a bloody battle. Hauptmann Haller later orders von Witzland and his men to execute a group of unarmed civilians accused of sabotage, including Kolya. Fritz and Witzland protest, but ultimately Fritz has to obey orders and shoots Kolya.

The killing of Kolya has a profound effect on the already demoralized soldiers; Witzland, G.G., and Reiser decide to desert. They head to Pitomnik Airfield in hopes of catching a plane back to Germany, stealing medical tags from some dead bodies along the way to feign being wounded. The last transport plane is about to leave as they arrive, but only officers are allowed aboard. Fritz asks why Hans, an officer, did not try to board, to no response.

They rejoin the others in the shelter, where they find Musk suffering from severe trench foot. While the men recover a German supply drop, Haller appears and holds them at gunpoint, but is quickly subdued; he accidentally shoots G.G. as he falls, killing him. Haller pleads for his life, first trying to use his authority, then telling them about the supplies he is hoarding in a nearby house, before being executed by Otto.

In the house's cellar, they find shelves stocked full of food and liquor, and Irina tied to a bed. Witzland cuts her free. She tries to provoke Witzland into killing her, but he refuses, instead giving her a pistol and telling her to do it herself. She cannot do it. As the rest of the men enjoy the luxuries, a deluded and dying Musk tries to rally them to rejoin the fighting. Otto becomes hysterical and shoots himself in the head. Rollo carries Musk outside, only to find the Sixth Army surrendering to the Soviets. Musk succumbs to the elements upon Rollo being instructed to surrender.

Irina offers to help Witzland and Reiser get away, but while trudging through a heavy snowstorm, they are shot at by Russian soldiers; Irina is killed instantly and Witzland is shot. Wounded and overwhelmed with grief, he eventually becomes too weak to walk, dying in Reiser's arms. Reiser cradles his body and freezes to death.

Cast

Production and release

The film was shot in several locations, including Finland, Italy, and Czechoslovakia, and cost approximately DEM 20 million (around EUR 10 million in modern German currency). Director Joseph Vilsmaier hired a German military consultant to advise him on set. A series entitled The making of Stalingrad was released, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the film. Stalingrad was released on 4K Blu-ray in 2021.[3]

Reception

In 1993, the film won Bavarian Film Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Production.[1] It was also entered into the 18th Moscow International Film Festival.[4] In Germany, the film earned mixed reviews, allegedly due to the second half of the film containing plot holes, although what these apparent plot holes were is not revealed; this may in fact have been a reference to the film's bleak and nihilistic ending.[5]

The film grossed $10 million in Germany.[2] It grossed $152,972 in the United States and Canada.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Stalingrad (1993)". IMDb. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Stalingrad scores with opening shots". Screen International. 20 August 1993. p. 20.
  3. ^ Wolters, Timo (2020-12-09). "Stalingrad auf 4K Blu-ray im Test: Endlich eine würdige Veröffentlichung". 4K Filme (in German). Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  4. ^ "18th Moscow International Film Festival (1993)". MIFF. Archived from the original on 2014-04-03. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  5. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20181008175128/https://www.filmempfehlung.com/kritik,1312.html Review at Filmempfehlung (in German)
  6. ^ "Stalingrad (1993)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
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