Darkness Fell on Gotenhafen (1960)

  • NR
  • 02/25/1960 (DE)
  • Drama, War
  • 1h 39m

Overview

The film depicts the first month of 1945 when the Russian Red Army broke into the eastern part of Germany and forced millions of civilians to flee in the coldest of winter. While the Russians invaded Ostpreussen hundred of thousands of civilians were evacuated by ships. Gotenhafen was the last open port and ships left the town almost by the minute, overloaded by refugees. One of the last ships to leave Gotenhafen was the 'Wilhelm Gustloff', a former 'Kraft durch Freude' pleasure cruiser designed for 1000 passengers. Until today it is unknown how many people were on board but it is said to be around 10.000. The ship sunk without a trace and only a handful of people survived this hellish nightmare.

Frank Wisbar

Director, Writer

Cast

Sonja Ziemann's headshot

Sonja Ziemann

Maria Reiser
Gunnar Möller's headshot

Gunnar Möller

Kurt Reiser
Erik Schumann's headshot

Erik Schumann

Hans Schott
Brigitte Horney's headshot

Brigitte Horney

Generalin von Reuss
Mady Rahl's headshot

Mady Rahl

Edith Marquardt
Wolfgang Preiss's headshot

Wolfgang Preiss

Dr. Beck
Erich Dunskus's headshot

Erich Dunskus

Vater Marquardt
Willy Maertens's headshot

Willy Maertens

Vater Reiser

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