Sirkian Melodrama always has great guttural feeling of an escapable ironies. A Time to Love and A Time to Die (ATTL2D) is probably one of the bigger examples of this.
Adapted from the same author of All Quiet in the Western Front, ATTL2D portrays Nazi Germany on a different light. They are shown as compassionate and just like any during the war - trying to just survive. Almost removing the key characteristics that will make Nazis infamous. In this film adaptation, a soldier is given a short furlough to visit his family after a long tenure in war. At the time, Germany is on its last legs and much of his hometown is already destroyed. With no one able to locate his parent, he found himself lost and takes his most of his time getting to know his Doctor's daughter - who happens to be a Jew. They try to work things out but it goes from worse to worst.
Somewhat controversial for depicting some Germans on a positive light. ATTL2D is often considered as Sirk's swansong to his son, a former Nazi Propaganda star, who died serving the war at 18. Its one of his most compassionate film - with scenes definitely lifted by the Pianist, AND one of his complicated. Its somewhat forgotten since it subject matter is defiantly darker and less vivid that his more successful films during this peak period but his melodramatic maturity is fully felt in this one. The ironies in this airtight, the stories hit really damn hard without going full baloney (Written in the Wind I see you). The performance is good. Gavin's debut performance is noteworthy. The cinematography is standard of Sirk but its marvelously photographed.
Overall, this is a very underrated Sirk. Highly recommended.
Adapted from the same author of All Quiet in the Western Front, ATTL2D portrays Nazi Germany on a different light. They are shown as compassionate and just like any during the war - trying to just survive. Almost removing the key characteristics that will make Nazis infamous. In this film adaptation, a soldier is given a short furlough to visit his family after a long tenure in war. At the time, Germany is on its last legs and much of his hometown is already destroyed. With no one able to locate his parent, he found himself lost and takes his most of his time getting to know his Doctor's daughter - who happens to be a Jew. They try to work things out but it goes from worse to worst.
Somewhat controversial for depicting some Germans on a positive light. ATTL2D is often considered as Sirk's swansong to his son, a former Nazi Propaganda star, who died serving the war at 18. Its one of his most compassionate film - with scenes definitely lifted by the Pianist, AND one of his complicated. Its somewhat forgotten since it subject matter is defiantly darker and less vivid that his more successful films during this peak period but his melodramatic maturity is fully felt in this one. The ironies in this airtight, the stories hit really damn hard without going full baloney (Written in the Wind I see you). The performance is good. Gavin's debut performance is noteworthy. The cinematography is standard of Sirk but its marvelously photographed.
Overall, this is a very underrated Sirk. Highly recommended.