Der 10. Mai
Der 10. Mai

Movie spotlight

Der 10. Mai

1957
Movie
91 min
German

Der 10. Mai (The Tenth of May) was the date in 1940 that Hitler invaded the Low Countries: Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. Neutral Switzerland, which hadn't experienced a war since the 14th century, hurriedly fortified its borders with battalions of inexperienced soldiers. The panic, confusion and isolated acts of courage which occurred on that fateful day are re-created in this Swiss docudrama. The story is "personalized" by concentrating on a fugitive German soldier (Heinz Reincke) who falls in love with the Swiss girl (Linda Geiser) who shelters him. Produced on a bare-minimum budget, Der 10. Mai is impressive more for its sincerity and raw energy than for its actual cinematic merits.

Insights

Director: Werner KlingerGenres: Documentary, History, War

Plot Summary

This documentary film focuses on the events leading up to and during May 10, 1940, when Germany invaded Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It examines the political and military strategies employed by Germany and the responses of the Allied forces. The film utilizes archival footage and historical accounts to depict the swift and devastating nature of the Blitzkrieg. The narrative explores the breakdown of diplomatic relations and the escalating tensions that preceded the invasion. It highlights key military movements and battles that occurred on this significant date in World War II. The documentary aims to provide a factual and informative account of a pivotal moment in European history.

Critical Reception

As a historical documentary from 1957, specific widespread critical reception data like Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic scores is not readily available. However, films of this nature at the time were generally appreciated for their educational value and for bringing historical events to a wider audience through the use of archival footage. Its focus on a significant wartime event would have likely been viewed as important historical documentation.

What Reviewers Say

  • Provides a detailed historical account of the May 10, 1940 invasion.

  • Utilizes archival footage to illustrate wartime events.

  • Offers an informative perspective on a key moment in World War II.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific documentary is not available.

Fun Fact

The film 'Der 10. Mai' is part of a broader genre of post-war documentaries that sought to document and explain the events of World War II for contemporary audiences, often relying heavily on captured enemy footage and official government archives.

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