I like the show. It has its own atmosphere and mood. Also, I did enjoy the acting of 4 main actors. All characters are ambiguous, attractive and repulsive at the same time. Although I didn't get what the moral of the story was I found the plot is interesting to follow. All scenes were detailed and realistic which immersed me in the atmosphere of Berlin at that time, but the ending was a little bit fabulous.
11 Reviews
Good story but some niggling flaws.
jedymunder-7324229 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
On the whole I enjoyed this series and the interplay and chemistry between the main characters. The exterior shots without any attempt to cover up the modern settings was quite a poor decision and did take away a fair bit of the authenticity though.
During the end credits with each character's brief detailing of their life after the series end, I couldn't quite work out how Fritzi and Heidi would have able to live out their life together as a lesbian couple and as a family, let alone have two more children considering what we know about the Nazi regime they would have lived through in Berlin. Gay couples in Nazi Germany were not only not tolerated but plenty were sent to their deaths in concentration camps. It felt like a bit of a far fetched story just to give them a happy ending.
I give it a 7 for an entertaining story despite the flaws I mention here.
During the end credits with each character's brief detailing of their life after the series end, I couldn't quite work out how Fritzi and Heidi would have able to live out their life together as a lesbian couple and as a family, let alone have two more children considering what we know about the Nazi regime they would have lived through in Berlin. Gay couples in Nazi Germany were not only not tolerated but plenty were sent to their deaths in concentration camps. It felt like a bit of a far fetched story just to give them a happy ending.
I give it a 7 for an entertaining story despite the flaws I mention here.
Overall well made...but a Toyota Prius in the 30s?
joerg-181-45575928 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Overall the interior scenes are well made. Very much enjoyed the series. However what was highly disappointing that it appears the production ran out of money. Exterior scenes showing modern day Berlin with modern day buses and the most irritating a Toyota Prius taxi immediately upon arrival of Mr. Tietze prior to buying the store. If I'd have to mark it I'd say: Could have done better. Those points made it lose credibility for me.
Interesting story, some good performance
operratschankie21 February 2023
I have seen the first two episodes, and I am compelled to keep watching.
The story it's interesting and capitalises on the fascination with the historical period: what with an old world and old customs being swept away by a tragic war, and new freedoms emerging and clashing with the old ways.
One problem is that other movies and series have talked about this historical period in Berlin and done an excellent job, so this series was always going to be diminished by these comparisons and makes it harder to judge it on its own. As some others have pointed out, some issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and drug use to deal with it (certainly a big issue in post-war Germany), has been the subject of other sub-plots, e.g. In Babylon Berlin.
And yet, it's a charming series and you are drawn towards some of the characters. The two female leads have so far produced a strong performance.
Some here have harshly criticised the series for showing some street scenes where the actors, dressed in 1920s costumes, were clearly in modern day Berlin (with modern cars etc.). This was so evident that I argue it was intentional. And I think this was a very poignant reminder that these people lived in the same places we pass by, their stories unfolded across the same streets we walk on. Placing the characters in modern day Berlin highlighted how these stories are still relevant today.
So, I will keep watching this series, hoping the whole thing is as good as the first two episodes.
The story it's interesting and capitalises on the fascination with the historical period: what with an old world and old customs being swept away by a tragic war, and new freedoms emerging and clashing with the old ways.
One problem is that other movies and series have talked about this historical period in Berlin and done an excellent job, so this series was always going to be diminished by these comparisons and makes it harder to judge it on its own. As some others have pointed out, some issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and drug use to deal with it (certainly a big issue in post-war Germany), has been the subject of other sub-plots, e.g. In Babylon Berlin.
And yet, it's a charming series and you are drawn towards some of the characters. The two female leads have so far produced a strong performance.
Some here have harshly criticised the series for showing some street scenes where the actors, dressed in 1920s costumes, were clearly in modern day Berlin (with modern cars etc.). This was so evident that I argue it was intentional. And I think this was a very poignant reminder that these people lived in the same places we pass by, their stories unfolded across the same streets we walk on. Placing the characters in modern day Berlin highlighted how these stories are still relevant today.
So, I will keep watching this series, hoping the whole thing is as good as the first two episodes.
A really enjoyable and haunting series
clivy12 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I looked forward to seeing KaDeWe on the BBC. I've been to KaDeWe in Berlin and I have happy memories of going to the record department. The acting was very good, especially Joel Bassman as Harry and Damian Thüne and Tonio Schneider in the difficult roles of Georg Karg and Rüdiger Hartmann. Tonio gives the odious Rüdiger more dimension than just the bigot who becomes a successful Nazi. The first episodes presented Georg as a good natured, uptight and clueless schmuck but as the titles at the end of the final episode described, Karg fired all Jews working at the store after he took over and after the War, reached a settlement with the Tietz family as compensation for the Nazi expropriation which forced them out, but the settlement was peanuts.
I really didn't believe that Harry, Fritzi and Hedi would speak to Georg after the Jandorf family discovered how pulled the wool over their eyes about the Nazis wanting to force Harry, his father and Tietz out to put the non Jewish Georg in charge. But the scene of them together on the roof of KaDeWe on the eve of Harry's departure for America was a symbolic ending (I would have liked to see Georg's reaction to the three of his friends smashing up the store in one final spree). I actually liked the street shots with contemporary cars and buses in the background. It emphasized how the issues from 1920s Berlin are still very much with us. The scenes with the appearances of Harry's dead war colleague rang false and were too gory. The nudity and drug usage may be a little excessive but I thought KaDeWe explored how gay women like Fritzi and Hedi sought independence and the right to live as they wished fairly sensitively, without being heavy handed for the benefit of modern viewers- aside from the scenes of Fritzi being subjected to shock treatment (which I had to fast forward through). The poverty and desperation of the lives of working people were also strongly shown. The hatred expressed in the final episode towards Harry, Adolf and Teitz was chilling.
I agree with other reviewers however that it seemed like wishful thinking for Hedi and Fritzi to survive the Nazis in a same sex relationship (even if Fritzi had false papers). And where did their 2 other children come from? It was also a little confusing about when some of the events actually took place. I had to look up the history of KaDeWe to be clear as to when the Jandorfs had to sell the store and when Harry and his family had to leave for the US.
I really didn't believe that Harry, Fritzi and Hedi would speak to Georg after the Jandorf family discovered how pulled the wool over their eyes about the Nazis wanting to force Harry, his father and Tietz out to put the non Jewish Georg in charge. But the scene of them together on the roof of KaDeWe on the eve of Harry's departure for America was a symbolic ending (I would have liked to see Georg's reaction to the three of his friends smashing up the store in one final spree). I actually liked the street shots with contemporary cars and buses in the background. It emphasized how the issues from 1920s Berlin are still very much with us. The scenes with the appearances of Harry's dead war colleague rang false and were too gory. The nudity and drug usage may be a little excessive but I thought KaDeWe explored how gay women like Fritzi and Hedi sought independence and the right to live as they wished fairly sensitively, without being heavy handed for the benefit of modern viewers- aside from the scenes of Fritzi being subjected to shock treatment (which I had to fast forward through). The poverty and desperation of the lives of working people were also strongly shown. The hatred expressed in the final episode towards Harry, Adolf and Teitz was chilling.
I agree with other reviewers however that it seemed like wishful thinking for Hedi and Fritzi to survive the Nazis in a same sex relationship (even if Fritzi had false papers). And where did their 2 other children come from? It was also a little confusing about when some of the events actually took place. I had to look up the history of KaDeWe to be clear as to when the Jandorfs had to sell the store and when Harry and his family had to leave for the US.
A MIX UP
linda-plant212 November 2022
I had to come on here to see if I was alone in my thoughts
Into the second episode, and the location/action switches from the end of WW1 to an outside scene ablaze with modern day street I thought there was a timeline crossover which I'd missed, so by reading others on here it appears I have'nt, but it does show that its a cheap production if this massive error wasn't picked up in post production editing.
I will probably stick with it to see the outcome, as its only six episodes long, but if there is another series planned then I doubt it will hold my interest, and hope it shapes up before the end.
Into the second episode, and the location/action switches from the end of WW1 to an outside scene ablaze with modern day street I thought there was a timeline crossover which I'd missed, so by reading others on here it appears I have'nt, but it does show that its a cheap production if this massive error wasn't picked up in post production editing.
I will probably stick with it to see the outcome, as its only six episodes long, but if there is another series planned then I doubt it will hold my interest, and hope it shapes up before the end.
Only the basic plot is good
traceytak31 December 2022
It started well, I was invested, the war, KaDeWe, history. I could ignore for the sake of art that the background was just the background today in Berlin, the graffiti, the cars, the people dressed in jeans and modern day clothing. I was watching it for the storyline and the main characters and as I said it started well. But then it focused on nothing but lesbianism. It wouldn't let go and move on, the viewer knew what part this played in the story but it was as if the production had the bit between the teeth and just wouldn't let go. If a viewer wants to watch this many sex scenes then there is soft porn available with hardly any more storyline to it. It's frowned on in that era, do we really need that point constantly reiterated? The storyline lacks one thing, and that is the whole storyline, it lacks emotion. It doesn't make the viewer feel anything. It tries to titillate but we've all seen this before. It steals parts of Babylon Berlin, not the emotion, but the Cabaret (again plagiarised) music hall scenes. It could have been so much better, it could have been interesting beyond the first episode.
Underfunded or lazy production?
derekridgway24 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Disappointed. I absolutely adore historical drama particularly the incredible and superbly produced Babylon Berlin which is of a similar era. This drama, incredibly, has background modern traffic in the 1920's and 30's which is impossible for the viewer to ignore? Really! I don't know what the producers were thinking. Why bother assembling a terrific cast of actors/actresses and then not finishing off the basic details of what is supposed to be a 'historical drama'. I hope this does not set a precedent in this industry. Unforgiveable and definitely not for me, sorry. It grates almost as much as using a black actress as Anne Boleyn.
Low budget "Babylon Berlin"
mariabergman-3438930 December 2021
It's embarrasing how they copied storylines from the much superior "Babylon Berlin" series. Also how they covered up a low budget by saying it's an artistic statement when you see modern cars and streetlife in the background. Well, if you're going to do that evetything has to consequently be mixed eras. Not just backgrounds on the streets.
Ridiculous nonsense
hanlonscorner10 September 2023
I am a huge fan of 1920s Berlin, I have many books & i've watched tons of documentaries. I have seen every film there possibly is about 1920s Berlin.
This joke of the series not only copies stories from a different series, but you can openly see other modern cars lights & busses in todays Berlin. There is a Toyota car at the start, its just laughable.
The other laughable scenes that we see is today's zooBahnhof with modern cars driving around and we are expect to believe that it's 1920s Berlin.
Skip this altogether & wait for another production company to make something a million times better.
This joke of the series not only copies stories from a different series, but you can openly see other modern cars lights & busses in todays Berlin. There is a Toyota car at the start, its just laughable.
The other laughable scenes that we see is today's zooBahnhof with modern cars driving around and we are expect to believe that it's 1920s Berlin.
Skip this altogether & wait for another production company to make something a million times better.
Massive Disappointment
rmeyerglass26 September 2022
As a lover of Berlin and its history I was looking forward to seeing this series but what a disappointment it proved to be. Street scenes with cast members dressed in the clothes of the 1920s but filmed with modern traffic and graffitied buildings undermined the whole production for me and destroyed any historical credibility. To say it was a deliberate artistic decision is disingenuous and takes the viewer for a fool - I suspect it was either a case of insufficient funding or just not being prepared to make the effort. I switched off after half-an-hour. If you value any shred of authenticity in an historical drama avoid this shoddy production at all costs.
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