This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Excellent, a Must See

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The most important message in this movie that only 18 of the approx. 250 subversive messages were not reported to the "authorities" 18.

I read the book just before I found out they were making the film so was naturally quite excited to see how they handled it.While Gleeson and Thompson turn in great performances, the adaptation lets them down badly.The film and book part company towards the end: the film ends up with a glimmer of hope, with the postcards being thrown out of the window, possibly to give their message again. In the book there is no false hope. Nobody reads the postcards, nobody is affected, the protest is a vain one.But the message is that even if doomed to fail, we must still protest if something is not right. If we do not oppose evil, we tacitly condone it. I realise that as reviews go, this is uninformative and a bit rubbish; I feel that it's important to look beyond the film amd to reflect on the book's message, which is as relevant today as it was during WW2.

Before the advent of the Internet people used letters and cards to express how they felt..... Alone in Berlin is a simple film with a simple premise. Words are more powerful than warmongering totalitarian governments and the censorship and oppression that follows in their wake. Its a timely message, given the advent of the modern surveillance state, that uses intimidation and slyly orchestrated censorship, in an attempt to gag critics. Then, as now, we see how ordinary people refuse to be silenced and search for a way to find a voice. Alone in Berlin employs a strong cast of UK and European actors. Its decently directed and employs a minimalist approach to narrative, that works extremely well. All in all a decent film that's worth your time. Eight out of ten from me.

If Fast and Furious is to your taste, this probably isn't the film for you. If you want great actors well cast, a good story, well and lightly directed tense action (though younger viewers may confuse this with slowness), then don't miss this one. Easily one of the best films I've seen in the last six months.Brendan Gleeson plays a German machinist at the time of the second World War. His relationship with his wife (Emma Thompson) is one of a couple who have grown apart, and it is severely strained by the death in battle of their son (and only child).Initially it seems that she is the more affected by this, but a silent rage within him leads him to leave postcards critical of Hitler and the Nazis all around Berlin. She is drawn into this world; there is some reconciliation as they depart on this dangerous activity, as it draws towards its perhaps inevitable conclusion.A good supporting cast fleshes out the story which is based on true events, a story I was not previously aware of, though I am familiar with some details of the German resistance movement, such as the brother and sister members of the White Rose group, Hans and Sophie Scholl.(now there's a story!) Emma Thompson shines in this film, moving from intense grief to loving wife believably, carrying the tension of the plot at all times. Brendan Gleeson demonstrates his fine acting talent, though some may be familiar only with his 'Mad-Eye' Moody role in The Harry Potter franchise, or the hit-man in the under-rated "In Bruges".I don't idly award 'Excellents', but this film ticked all the boxes for me. Chances are you may have missed its limited release, but make sure you catch up with it when it is released on DVD.