Reviews of Germany Year Zero
Displaying all 3 reviews
asuraf
20Feb10
After focusing on the effects of the war on the Italian people in “Rome Open City” and “Paisan”, Roberto Rossellini went to Berlin to tell the story of the enemy, and what he found was a great city in rubble, the lingering effect of the Nazis starving the people, and widespread poverty. Rossellini conveys this through the downward descent of 12-year-old Hitler Youth Edmund, who becomes susceptible to the destruction and schemes surrounding him, suggesting a shared hell that war, at home or abroad, is equally psychologically and socially devastating.
- Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
Salem Kapsaski
11Oct09
If there is a more depressing film I have yet to find it. Young Edmund and his family live in the bombed out ruins of post-war Germany. Cramped into one house with four other families, without electricity or food they struggle to survive. His mother did not survive the war, his father is slowly dying, and his brother is in hiding to escape the Russian camps. Since Edmund is too young to legally work, they all depend on his older sister to survive. Edmund is troubled by the burden he puts on his sister, trying to be the man his brother does not have the guts to be and thus he is out looking for ways to make money. A former teacher (and possible paedophile) helps him make some quick cash by selling Nazi memorabilia to American soldiers. The money is not enough and Edmund’s father is getting worse. Following a conversation with his former teacher, Edmund tries to do the right thing and out of love, poisons his father to set him free.
The images of the real life landscapes are extremely powerful, and young Edmund Moeschke gives one of the best performances I have seen from a child actor (the rest of the cast and dialogues are a bit stiff at parts) an honest and shocking portrayal of the best and worst of humanity. (5/5)
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.
salikshah
21Feb09
Set in the post-war Germany, Rossellini’s final film of his war trilogy (of which I’ve only seen this) completely shocked me. I’d not seen devastation of war and the aftermath. Images formed with words turned vacuous. I cannot forget the cruel circumstances which persuades the young boy to poison his father. The final scenes were very disturbing. I just watched the film not thinking too much about anything else than what I saw. I remember the boy’s remorseful face, how he walked restlessly on the deserted ruins of the building as if trying to hide from himself. It seems like a long time ago. I’ve to see this film again- yes including the first two parts. [“That his subsequent works all move away from strictly realistic constraints is strongly suggestive that this movie acted as a bridge between the two styles.”— Jeremy Heilman]
— March 17, 08