Gewissen in Aufruhr
As a German soldier in the 6th Army, Colonel Joachim Ebershagen is trapped in the Stalingrad cauldron. His experiences cause him to begin to doubt the meaning of the war. He is flown out as a wounded soldier on one of the last planes. Back home, he becomes commander of Greifswald. Towards the end of the war, he surrendered the city to the Soviet army without a fight on April 30, 1945. The death sentence pronounced by a court martial is not carried out.
Insights
Plot Summary
During World War II, a German U-boat captain grapples with the moral implications of his orders and the escalating brutality of the conflict. Torn between duty and conscience, he faces difficult choices that challenge his humanity. The film explores the psychological toll of war on those who fight it and the struggle to maintain one's integrity amidst chaos.
Critical Reception
As a television film produced in East Germany, critical reception information is scarce in Western sources. However, it is recognized for its stark portrayal of the moral dilemmas faced by German soldiers during WWII, reflecting a post-war examination of wartime responsibility.
What Reviewers Say
- The film effectively conveys the internal conflict of a soldier forced to confront the horrors of war.
- It offers a nuanced perspective on the moral ambiguities of wartime command.
- The production is noted for its serious tone and dramatic intensity.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific television film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was produced by DEFA, the state-owned film studio of East Germany, and reflects the historical and political context of its production era.
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