Set during the Third Reich and its aftermath this lyrical harrowing tale of love and war is a neglected classic of New German cinema. Hans and Lene scarcely have time to meet and marry before Hans is sent away to fight leaving Lene to give birth during an air raid and struggle through the war with a baby daughter. Based on director and writer Helma Sanders-Brahms’ mother’s experience the film explores the devastating impact of politics on family life. Eva Mattes (Lene) gives a brilliant fearless performance with the film casting a powerful emotional... spell which is intensified by a delicate plaintive piano score. German critics savaged the film at its premiere baulking at its ‘subjective’ female take on recent history. Cut by 30 minutes for cinema release only now has it been restored to its impressive original form and released for the first time on Blu-ray. Bonus Features: Germany Pale Mother: original director’s cut (Helma Sanders-Brahms 1980 151 minutes) Germany Pale Mother: alternative theatrical cut (Helma Sanders-Brahms 1980 123 minutes) Hermann Mein Vater (Helma Sanders-Brahms 1987 52 mins) Extensive booklet with essays and complete film credits [show more]
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German drama written and directed by Helma Sanders-Brahms charting a couple's relationship before, during and after the outbreak of the Second World War. After marrying his pregnant girlfriend Lene (Eva Mattes) the day before war breaks out, Hans (Ernst Jacobi) is conscripted to fight for his country in the Nazi army. Now alone in Berlin, Lene gives birth to their daugher Anna (Anna Sanders) but becomes increasingly frustrated with her absent husband's minimal visits home while on leave. After her house is destroyed during the frequent air raids, Lene takes Anna and leaves the capital to join her family in the countryside. Struggling to provide for her daughter, Lene is relieved when she is again reunited with Hans following the end of the war, but in its aftermath, the couple find it difficult to rekindle their love for one another.
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