Alone in Berlin (2016)

Alone in Berlin Poster

Berlin in June of 1940. While Nazi propaganda celebrates the regime’s victory over France, a kitchen-cum-living room in Prenzlauer Berg is filled with grief. Anna and Otto Quangel’s son has been killed at the front. This working class couple had long believed in the ‘Führer’ and followed him willingly, but now they realise that his promises are nothing but lies and deceit. They begin writing postcards as a form of resistance and in a bid to raise awareness: Stop the war machine! Kill Hitler! Putting their lives at risk, they distribute these cards in the entrances of tenement buildings and in stairwells. But the SS and the Gestapo are soon onto them, and even their neighbours pose a threat.

Introduction
"Alone in Berlin" is a 2016 war drama movie, directed by Vincent Perez and started Brendan Gleeson, Emma Thompson, and Daniel Brühl. It is based on Hans Fallada's 1947 novel "Every Man Dies Alone". The film presents a compelling narrative showcasing regular characters' defiant nerve under ravaging situations throughout the Hitler regime.

Plot Overview
Set throughout World War II, the story focuses on a middle-aged couple, Otto Quangel (Brendan Gleeson) and Anna Quangel (Emma Thompson), living in Berlin. Their lives are torn apart when they receive the news that their only kid, Peter, has actually passed away in combat. Heartbroken, they blame Adolf Hitler and his program for their loss, worsening their mindset to the Nazi guideline.

Unanticipated Resistance
Moved by grief and anger, they decide to voice resistance, which eventually leads to a hazardous game of cat-and-mouse with the Gestapo officer, Escherich (Daniel Brühl). Otto starts to write out numerous anti-Nazi postcards, secretively leaving them on stairwells and doorways, where they'll be seen by the public. This basic act of non-violent rebellion makes them a substantial threat to the Nazi program, constituting high treason.

Defying the Odds
Regardless of their consistent worry, the Quangels continue dispersing postcards around Berlin, garnering attention and spreading out confusion amongst the Gestapo and Nazi officers. Their bravery functions as a beacon of defiance, demonstrating that ethical nerve can prevail even under the most despairing conditions. Otto and Anna perform their rebellious actions while keeping their everyday work routines as a factory manager and house maker shepherdess.

Climax and Resolution
Their rebel campaign lasts almost two years until the Gestapo slowly close in on them by tracing their motions through security intelligence. Originally thought of as mere reports, Brühl's Escherich finds himself handling an authentic case of resistance, increasingly obsessed with discovering the culprit. Otto and Anna are eventually detained and condemned to death for their deeds.

Conclusion
"Alone in Berlin" recounts a remarkable true story of peaceful however firm resistance against the Nazi program. Captivatingly enacted by a robust cast, the movie skillfully mixes thriller and emotional depth. It highlights the extensive courage and defiance of normal residents against a despotic routine, reminding audiences of the power of conviction, resilience, and individual disobedience. Although awful, it ends on an enthusiastic note, reminding us that the human spirit can not easily be defeated or reduced under tyranny.

Top Cast

  • Emma Thompson (small)
    Emma Thompson
    Anna Quangel
  • Brendan Gleeson (small)
    Brendan Gleeson
    Otto Quangel
  • Daniel Brühl (small)
    Daniel Brühl
    Escherich
  • Mikael Persbrandt (small)
    Mikael Persbrandt
    Prall
  • Katharina Schüttler (small)
    Katharina Schüttler
    Claire Gehrich
  • Louis Hofmann (small)
    Louis Hofmann
    Hans Quangel
  • Rafael Gareisen (small)
    Rafael Gareisen
    Herbert Wegner
  • Hildegard Schroedter (small)
    Hildegard Schroedter
    Ida Kuhn
  • Ernst Stötzner (small)
    Ernst Stötzner
    Dptm. Head Walter
  • Godehard Giese (small)
    Godehard Giese
    Colonel Krüger
  • Jacob Matschenz (small)
    Jacob Matschenz
    Dietrich Necker