The title of Kaspar Heidelbach's "Berlin '36" gives away basically already what this is about: the Berlin Olympic Games 1936. Well, this is only true to some extent. It is really more about the fate of high jumper Gretel Bergmann (Karoline Herfurth) before the actual event. She is a Jew, which leads to difficulties in terms of her getting nominated for the team. However, it was really the Nazis who got her back from London in order to show the world that religion does not matter in the grand picture when it comes to an event like the Olympic Games. Of course, it is all make-believe and in the end, she is not allowed to participate. But this film is also about a second athlete, Marie Ketteler, who is brought in by the Nazis to take Bergmann's place in the squad. She is played by Sebastian Urzendowsky and I must say, this is also my biggest criticism about this film. Maybe, it was because I knew the actor before, but I never saw something in him that people would think he is a woman. The long hair and not too masculine face weren't too bad for the role, but his deep voice destroyed it all. Apart from that, I think he is not a particularly gifted actor.
Luckily, the other male (older) actors made up for this. Thomas Thieme is great fun as always and his reaction when he reads Ketteler's medical file is priceless. Axel Prahl is reliable and likable as usual and Robert Gallinowski was a positive surprise, played his part very well. Back to Thieme's character, I also liked the scene, in which he shakes hands with the athletes, not only because he ignores Bergmann, but also because of how he lacks all enthusiasm when he shakes Ketteler's hand, the enthusiasm that he had before when he shook the hands of the non-degenerate athletes. Ketteler is basically just a tool for him to get rid off Bergmann, but he still somewhat despises her for her imperfection.
All in all, this 6-year-old movie was a pretty good watch. It is not historically accurate on many occasions (for example the names except Bergmann), but it takes on a truly interesting subject and proves that it is still possible, after all these years and films, to bring something new to the screen in terms of Nazi Germany. Bergmann, by the way is still alive today, over 100 years old in 2015. I recommend this film. It's a good mix of political thriller and historical context with smart dramatic elements. If you want to see a bit of a boys' version, I suggest you check out "Napola" about a couple boxers training for the Olympic Games 1936 as well. But back to this one: I can totally see why Herfurth is among the most famous German actresses right now. She plays her part well and carries this film nicely despite her young age.
Luckily, the other male (older) actors made up for this. Thomas Thieme is great fun as always and his reaction when he reads Ketteler's medical file is priceless. Axel Prahl is reliable and likable as usual and Robert Gallinowski was a positive surprise, played his part very well. Back to Thieme's character, I also liked the scene, in which he shakes hands with the athletes, not only because he ignores Bergmann, but also because of how he lacks all enthusiasm when he shakes Ketteler's hand, the enthusiasm that he had before when he shook the hands of the non-degenerate athletes. Ketteler is basically just a tool for him to get rid off Bergmann, but he still somewhat despises her for her imperfection.
All in all, this 6-year-old movie was a pretty good watch. It is not historically accurate on many occasions (for example the names except Bergmann), but it takes on a truly interesting subject and proves that it is still possible, after all these years and films, to bring something new to the screen in terms of Nazi Germany. Bergmann, by the way is still alive today, over 100 years old in 2015. I recommend this film. It's a good mix of political thriller and historical context with smart dramatic elements. If you want to see a bit of a boys' version, I suggest you check out "Napola" about a couple boxers training for the Olympic Games 1936 as well. But back to this one: I can totally see why Herfurth is among the most famous German actresses right now. She plays her part well and carries this film nicely despite her young age.