Sam - A Saxon

I recommend watching the original Version with subtitles as the dubbed version doesn't possess the same emotional impact I loved watching Sam's growth as man with a troubled past and challenging present, I found the acting to be captivating and at times forgot I was watching actors. The pace is fast and each episode has its own arc to it I watched it in two sittings as I was drawn into it and wanted to see the outcome the fact that the movie is based on actual events and people made it even more compelling. It was educational for someone who was nit as familiar with what was happening in Germany around the time before and during and after the fall of the wall.

I find it hard to feel for the protagonist. Not just because I don't think he's a great actor, even though he had some good moments in the series, but my biggest problem lies in the physical aspect of things.

He is bigger and looks stronger than anybody else in the series. So even when a group of people jump him, that all look like twigs next to him, I don't feel like he's in any real danger.

This could have been fixed very easily, by simply casting at least some actors and stunt guys who don't weigh 30kg less than him.

I like the tempo and feel of the series, but towards the end it becomes a little less interesting.

How is this getting such a good rating? The main actor did not sink his teeth into the role. Sorry for saying it. I heard great things about the series, watched it and the whole series focuses around a guy who's lived a pretty astonishing life, but the actor gives me practically no growth or transformation. He plays the same guy from beginning to end, even though the things he goes through must have had an effect on him, which it even says in the breakdown of the book.

In the beginning of the movie the actor playing Sam is supposed to be 20, but the actor, Malick Bauer looks just as old as the person the book is based on looks right now.

When you create an autobiographical piece based on a single person, the production falls or thrives with the actor portraying that role. Sadly Malick Bauer failed to make the character believable or likeable.

I love the actual themes the movie addresses and what the actor actually goes through, even going as far as picking a questionable profession early on in the series, considering his ethnicity. Great story. Disappointing acting and character development.

For me the series really takes off in episode 3. Maybe I am just too young to care for the whole historical, political fall of the wall situation, but the bond that is established between him and - sorry, I almost spoilered. The bond he establishes in episode 3 makes the whole series worth watching and interesting. A lot happens between the lines, which is great. It is pretty well written.

The cinematography is for German standards very good.

I must say, the only issue I really had was with the main actor. I didn't quite get a lot of his acting decisions or facial expressions at times, but other than that, it was a good watch.

Sam is an utterly engaging thrill ride that takes you into he heart of East Germany and reunification - through the perspective of a Black man who experiences a totally different version of history from what we're used to reading about the time. The acting is amazing and the direction is right on, the pacing is great and the whole thing just comes together in a really moving story.

Malick Bauer especially stands out as Sam - I can't believe he hasn't been scooped up by Hollywood yet. Like another review here says, make sure to watch it in the orignial with subtitles. You miss all the great performances if it"s dubbed.