IMDb RATING
7.8/10
12K
YOUR RATING
A young German boy faces the problems of the tough life in the immediate post-WWII Berlin.A young German boy faces the problems of the tough life in the immediate post-WWII Berlin.A young German boy faces the problems of the tough life in the immediate post-WWII Berlin.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
12K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Roberto Rossellini(screenplay)
- Carlo Lizzani
- Max Kolpé(dialogue)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Roberto Rossellini(screenplay)
- Carlo Lizzani
- Max Kolpé(dialogue)
- Stars
- Awards
- 4 wins & 2 nominations
Heidi Blänkner
- Frau Rademakeras Frau Rademaker
- (uncredited)
Barbara Hintz
- Thildeas Thilde
- (uncredited)
Adolf Hitler
- Selfas Self
- (archive footage)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Karl Krüger
- Il medicoas Il medico
- (uncredited)
Alexandra Manys
- Amica di Evaas Amica di Eva
- (uncredited)
Christl Merker
- Christlas Christl
- (uncredited)
Inge Rocklitz
- Rifugiataas Rifugiata
- (uncredited)
Hans Sangen
- Herr Rademakeras Herr Rademaker
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Roberto Rossellini(screenplay) (dialogue)
- Carlo Lizzani
- Max Kolpé(dialogue)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
Edmund, a young boy who lives in war-devastated Germany after the Second World War, must do all kinds of work to help his family get food and survive. One day he meets one of his former teachers and hopes to get support from him, but this man's ideas don't lead Edmund into a clearer or safer way of living. —Hugo <transit@cam.org>
- Taglines
- The country is obliterated, the buildings are dilapidated and the people are desolated.
- Genres
- Certificate
- Not Rated
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaExteriors were shot in Germany while all interiors were shot on a sound stage in Rome. When the German actors arrived in Rome, they ate pasta in abundance, something which the current economics of Germany could not afford. The German actors gained weight and shooting had to be postponed until they slimmed down to their original weights.
- Quotes
Narrator: This movie, shot in Berlin in the summer of 1947 aims only to be an objective and true portrait of this large, almost totally destroyed city where 3.5 million people live a terrible, desperate life, almost without realizing it. They live as if tragedy were natural, not because of strength or faith, but because they are tired. This is not an accusation or even a defense of the German people. It is an objective assessment. Yet if anyone, after watching Edmund Koeler's story, feels that something needs to be done-that German children need to relearn to love life-then the efforts of those who made this movie will be greatly rewarded.
- Alternate versionsThe Italian version has some extra footage of the city of Berlin destroyed at the beginning of the movie with a introduction cardboard.
- ConnectionsEdited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: La monnaie de l'absolu (1999)
Top review
totally true and gut wrenching
this is at times an incredibly painful movie to watch as rosselini portrays the struggle of ordinary germans to survive the devastation of post war berlin and rebuild their lives. the protagonist is a 12 year old boy whose childhood has been stolen by war - he tries to live up to the responsibilities that are forced on him but it's all too much for a skinny little boy to handle. the desperation depicted in this movie really shows the horrors of war for all people - even the ones who initiate it and lose. this is a remarkably compassionate film - i cannot recommend it highly enough. 10 stars.
helpful•268
- shoolaroon
- Jun 14, 2002
Details
- Runtime1 hour 18 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content

Recently viewed
Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.