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Das letzte Wort
The starting point of the story is a scandalous affair that took place in West Germany at the end of the 1950s. It began with the unexpected death of a member of the Bundestag who was known to the public as a well-paid lawyer and influential man in politics. What was not known, however, was that he mysteriously died of poisoning in a foreign hospital for the poor. It was concealed that the deceased, as a contact person for a Swiss arms company, represented a West German arms contract worth 2.5 billion marks. The Military Counterintelligence Service tried everything to conceal the explosive events...
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Plot Summary
In this East German drama, an aging factory worker, disillusioned with his life and the system, decides to take his own life. He plans his final day meticulously, but his intentions are complicated by unexpected encounters and reflections on his past. The film explores themes of existentialism, societal disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. It culminates in his ultimate decision and its quiet aftermath.
Critical Reception
As an East German production from 1971, specific widespread critical reception data in Western sources is limited. However, it is recognized within German film history as a contemplative and somewhat bleak exploration of the human condition under socialist realism. The film is noted for its introspective mood and its lead actor's performance.
What Reviewers Say
A thought-provoking examination of mortality and societal alienation.
Features a strong central performance that anchors the film's somber tone.
Reflects the anxieties and introspective themes prevalent in some European cinema of the era.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific film is not readily available due to its limited distribution and historical context.
Fun Fact
The film was produced by DEFA, the state-owned film studio of East Germany, and reflects some of the artistic and thematic concerns within that cinematic landscape.
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