Perhaps the material was still too fresh at the time this was made for a film like this to be fully fleshed out. It's a shame because there's so much greatness here. The wonderfully evocative performances and cinematography are the biggest part. The film develops its plot with great efficiency, several interesting twists and turns with great meaning imbued in all of them. All that's lacking is just a little bit more of everything, not necessarily a wider scope, but a more complex one.

What's fascinating about this sort of post-War film is that it's shot like a period piece. It lingers on the mundane elements of day-to-day life in the ruins: old x-rays used as window panes, shattered glass still in doorframes, improvised graves in the street. The film has a keen awareness of its place in history, and it must have been cathartic to shoot the horrible things around you like they were sets.

the reality on display in this film is incredible.

A despair ridden, accidental romance, amongst a city of ruins. The guilt of the protagonist is deeply felt as the desperate state of Germany mirrors his inner turmoil. However, despite all that I just said, it wasn't as bleak as I expected; not that I'm dissapointed. The glimmer of compassion, in the form of Susanne, was both wonderful and brave.

Made for a budget of about 50 bucks in the ruins of Germany right after the war. It manages to turn this lack of resources into a strength (as well as making use of the outlandish surreal sets which only a war zone can provide).

A genuine article of post-war Germany with all the confusion and despair that comes with it. Not the best example in acting but some remarkable photographic compositions come through - just the fact that this was made is amazing.