Fräulein

Dana Wynter had presence ( not all actors do ) and I feel she was vastly underrated. Here she is given the lead in a film that attempts to reconstruct Germany at the time of its defeat, and the advance of the Soviets into Berlin. With the brutal death of her father in Cologne Erica goes to Berlin, and there inadvertently enters a house of prostitution. Interestingly told it is full of stereotypes ( less for the Germans than the Soviets ) and this in many ways detracts from the films serious approach. Perhaps Koster was not the right director, but the scenario borders on the sensationalist aspect of the Soviets, and that in the main was their need to rape any woman on sight, including of course Erica. Mel Ferrer ( not the best actor ) is the G. I. who comes like a shining knight to save her, and here end of spoilers. Filmed well in Cinemascope there are good moments, but it is Dana Wynter's film and in my opinion she carries it more or less single handed to a higher level. Another ' lost ' film that I accidentally saw on television. Worth seeing but on my part with deep reservations about authenticity.

I have seen more authentic films about post-war Germany but this tale is pleasant enough viewing. There are more than a few instances of clumsy direction and poor acting which are somewhat disengaging, but the film does seem to improve as it goes along. For some reason the initial scenes are very brief and perfunctory. Further into the film there are some quite dramatic scenes with the heroine escaping various fates. Dana Wynter is very beautiful eye candy, but she is saddled with a poorly written character and radiates sulkiness for most of the film, before an improbable U-turn. Mel Ferrer is a likeable and graceful hero (cute butt, Mel!) but is scarcely portrayed with any depth. When it comes to charm, the piano-playing friend steals the scene. I enjoyed the "lucky break" the heroine experiences at the end of the film, which leaves you with a warm feeling. So overall, a positive rating, but I think the guy who wrote the novel (by all accounts a more realistic version) has probably never stopped complaining about what Hollywood did to his opus..

Despite Fassbinder's admiration for Douglas Sirk this glossy production in colour and 'scope by his compatriot Henry Koster more closely resembles the younger director's 'The Marriage of Maria Braun' than anything Sirk himself made (which might not be mere coincidence since leading man Mel Ferrer was later in Fassbinder's 'Lili Marlene').

Because allegiances had switched in the intervening ten years since the time in which it was set the Russians are far less attractively portrayed than the Germans; but at least Theodor Bikel gets to sing!

The story begins during the latter portion of WWII. Captain MacLain (Mel Ferrer) is an escaped American POW and it seems very unlikely that he'll manage to make it back to the Allied lines. However, unexpectedly, a German family, the Angermanns, hide the Captain from the authorities and eventually he is able to make it back to his people.

Shortly after this, Germany falls to the Allies. Since the family is now in eastern Berlin, the have to deal with the Soviet invasion. Women throughout the city are raped and Erika Angermann (Dana Wynter) has to do much to avoid this fate. To do so, she must move towards the American lines...hoping their soldiers are less cruel. Now, although she isn't being forced in sexual situations, there's almost no other choice as jobs are scarce and many German women turn tricks to avoid starvation. What is to happen with Erika? And, what about that Captain from the beginning of the film...what will he have to do with Erika and her future?

This story is very well done. It's an unusual story based on some actual events and manages to be both a drama, and later, a romance. Well worth seeing.

would like to buy this in DVD or VHS any inf. on this. when will this be out on the things i mentioned. i enjoyed this movie. this is one of the better movies that was made. so if you can help me to purchase this movie i would appreciate it very much. thank you for letting me make a comment on this movie. i cannot say enough about these old movies they should have more of them on DVD or VHS. i do not know why they are not putting all the old movies on DVD or VHS you would or could make a lot of money. because there are a lot of old folks that would buy these movies. when i was a young man i have seen a lot of movies if they were on tape i would not hesitate to buy them. i was also looking for the tarzan movies with johnny weissmuller. all of them not just 6 they have out now. thank you again