Interesting film set in Cologne during the Second World War and based on true events. The main character is Karl, who is a member of a gang called the Edelweiss Piraten, who dislike the Nazis and fight with the local Hitler Youth ( of which his young brother Peter is a member ). With their mother and older brother dead and father fighting on the front, they rely on their sister in law Cilly for food. Karl fancies Cilly but this all changes when an escaped convict Hans rescues Cilly's son from a bomb which he was trapped under. Hans is a bit of a hothead and takes a fancy to Cilly which displeases Karl. Peter and Karl learn that their father has died, and Peter finds out that his father didn't believe in the war. So he leaves the Hitler Youth and helps Hans and the Piraten against the Gestapo. The Gestapo learn about this and with the help of a traitor find their hideout and arrest Cilly and take her children away. The rest of the Piraten are also arrested as is Hans. Karl hands himself in and pleads with a Gestapo officer to let him and his brother go if he gives Hans up. Peter refuses so is sent to be hanged with the rest. After the Allies arrive Karl is rescued by US troops and turns in the Gestapo officer. Cilly is reunited with her children, so a bit of a "happy ending".
Interesting and well acted film, I hadn't heard of the Edelweiss Piraten before ( and they were similar groups all over Germany defying the Nazi's ). When I go to Cologne next year, hopefully I'll get to see the tribute to them outside the main railway station.
Interesting and well acted film, I hadn't heard of the Edelweiss Piraten before ( and they were similar groups all over Germany defying the Nazi's ). When I go to Cologne next year, hopefully I'll get to see the tribute to them outside the main railway station.