Magdalena and Michael have loved each other since they were children. But when the Nazis come to power, Michael rebels against the regime and is sentenced to fifteen years in a concentration camp. Magdalena, meanwhile, goes underground with the help of a friend and later immigrates to the Soviet Union. Michael, who has joined the Red Army, discovers on the way to Moscow that Magdalena is staying there. But when his plane lands, she is already on her way back to Germany. Michael hopes that one day, he and Magdalena will be reunited.
Direction
Beyer's restrained melodrama hits harder than any bombast.
Acting
Mueller-Stahl's quiet devastation before he was famous.
Director
Frank Beyer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
DEFA's 1962 answer to Hollywood romance, weaponized for socialist realism—yet the longing transcends propaganda.
Beyer shot the Moscow scenes without permission; the airport near-miss was filmed at Berlin-Schönefeld with creative signage.
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