Having just finished watching this film, as well as reading the previous reviews and agreeing with most all of what has been said, I have a quibble and a comment. The quibble first: The only blemish on an otherwise outstandingly cast movie was Wilfried Seyferth's SS Mann Scholtz. Even in late 1944 / early 1945, one would not have found this Sgt. Schultz style caricature in the ranks of the Schutzstaffel. True, the SS had lowered their standards, but never to that level! This is a criticism based not on some sort of personal preference, but rather on the fact that this fat, slovenly stereotype lacked credibility, and therefore the requisite menace.
As for the comment: Several reviewers have expressed surprise over the seemingly objective, even-handed view of the Germans presented so shortly after the war. Against all expectations, this was more the rule rather than the exception at that time. There was a brief window of clarity of observation that seems to have opened between the time of this film and the early 1960s. Sadly, rather than expand, this shut down in the late 60s, never to re-open to this day. The reason for this has never been clear to me, but I suspect that the continued demonization of the Germans of that period has become something of an industry. ( See almost anything by Stephen Spielberg. ) That said, I add to the general consensus that this is a gem well worth seeking out. Hopefully, MAX (AC) will run it again, soon.
As for the comment: Several reviewers have expressed surprise over the seemingly objective, even-handed view of the Germans presented so shortly after the war. Against all expectations, this was more the rule rather than the exception at that time. There was a brief window of clarity of observation that seems to have opened between the time of this film and the early 1960s. Sadly, rather than expand, this shut down in the late 60s, never to re-open to this day. The reason for this has never been clear to me, but I suspect that the continued demonization of the Germans of that period has become something of an industry. ( See almost anything by Stephen Spielberg. ) That said, I add to the general consensus that this is a gem well worth seeking out. Hopefully, MAX (AC) will run it again, soon.