I Was Nineteen

During the last days of World War II, as Germany is finally liberated from the Nazis, a young Soviet soldier of German descent returns to his homeland, along side the victorious Soviet Army. This gritty, realistic film is based on the director Konrad Wolf’s actual experiences. A true landmark of postwar German cinema, I Was Nineteen is ranked by film critics among the top 100 Most Significant German Films of all time.

What the Critics are Saying

"An accomplished work of art- a first-class film!" - Berlin Neue Zeit

"Topnotch! Effective acting." - Variety

"One of the most important DEFA films!" - Film historian, Hans Günther Pflaum

"A pivotal work!" - Marc Silberman, German Cinema

"An autobiographical masterpiece!" - www.filmportal.de

Read That Was the Wild East: Film Culture, Unification, and the "New" Germany by Leonie Naughton

DEFA Film Library at UMASS