The General file
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | The General file |
| Country of production | Germany |
| original language | German |
| Publishing year | 2016 |
| length | 89 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Stephan Wagner |
| script | Alexander Buresch |
| production |
Benjamin Benedict Nico Hofmann |
| music | Ali N. Askin |
| camera | Thomas Benesch |
| cut | Susanne Ocklitz |
| occupation | |
| |
The General Files is a German television film by Stephan Wagner (director) and Alexander Buresch (screenplay), which was first broadcast on ARD's first program on February 24, 2016 .
action
The Hessian attorney general Fritz Bauer investigates criminals from the time of National Socialism in Frankfurt in 1959. He also succeeds in enabling Israel to arrest Adolf Eichmann in Argentina by traveling to Israel privately and giving the Mossad a tip.
Bauer has assigned several young public prosecutors to prepare for the Auschwitz trials . Another aim of his is to bring charges against the head of the Federal Chancellery , Hans Globke , who held an important position in the Reich Ministry of the Interior during the Nazi era and was allegedly involved in the persecution of the Jews. And Bauer hopes that a trial against Eichmann will also provide circumstantial evidence and evidence against Globke.
Ironically, a young farmer from employees, which he particularly familiar, Joachim Hell, has been successfully by the BND as undercover agent recruited. He keeps a file with the inscription "GENERAL" over Bauer and also reveals some secrets, although this is becoming increasingly difficult for him. When Bauer sent him to Israel as an observer for the Eichmann trial , he also came into contact with colleagues from the GDR . They offer him a file that Globke clearly encumbrances, but demand informants from Frankfurt. Hell refuses - and instead organizes the theft of the files from the hotel room of the East German colleagues. The BND also spoke to Hell again and asked him to cooperate better. Hell refuses and finally terminates the cooperation.
In the meantime, Fritz Bauer accidentally discovers the “GENERAL” folder in Frankfurt. Annoyed, he gives in to pressure from the Hessian Prime Minister Georg-August Zinn to hand over the already started investigations against Globke to the Bonn public prosecutor, although it is clear to everyone that the Bonn public prosecutor's office is riddled with former Nazis and the proceedings will soon be closed.
In Israel, meanwhile, the name Globke finally comes into play in the Eichmann trial when a persistent prosecutor investigates a reference to evidence. The numerous German and international process observers get excited. Hell also telephoned Bauer to tell him the good news. But Bauer tells him succinctly that the Globke investigation has been handed over to Bonn, and orders him back.
Back in Frankfurt, Bauer confronts Hell about the "GENERAL" file. Hell swears that he no longer works as an informant and that he has not passed on any private details about Bauer in any case. Hell tries to change Bauer's mind with the stolen file, but it's too late for that. Fritz Bauer has given up taking Globke to court and wants to concentrate on the Auschwitz trials.
background
The film was shot from April 11, 2015 to May 23, 2015 in the greater Munich area, in Baden-Baden, in Karlsruhe and in Spain.
reception
Reviews
“And so, in the General Files, a dark chapter of Federal Republican history is worked up on the surface. But this happens in a similarly leisurely manner as the time it was told about. This film almost leaves a nasty aftertaste: Sure, there were some bad things in the young Federal Republic, but somehow also quite entertaining, because at least one could improvise. "
“'The General File' introduces us to one of the few 'heroes' in the Federal Republic of Germany whose shady sides are painted here in wonderfully strong colors. It is a hero who believes in the future and advises discouraged young colleagues: 'Celebrate the rule of law'. And it is no coincidence that by far the most disturbing figure is the Minister of Wonders of the Wealthy Germans . "
Audience ratings
The first broadcast of The General Files on February 24, 2016 was seen by 3.63 million viewers in Germany and achieved a market share of 11.3% for Das Erste .
See also
Web links
- The file-General in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The General file. In: Film Wednesday in the first. Bayerischer Rundfunk, accessed on July 31, 2016 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Release certificate for Die General . Voluntary self-regulation of the film industry (PDF).
- ^ The General files at crew united
- ↑ Wiebke Porombka: It couldn't all have been Nazis. In: Culture. Die Zeit, February 24, 2016, accessed on July 31, 2016 .
- ^ Arno Frank: ARD television film "The General Files". He sweats, swears, swabbles and smokes. Spiegel Online, February 24, 2016, accessed July 31, 2016 .
- ↑ Manuel Weis: Primetime check: Wednesday, February 24, 2016.quotemeter.de , February 25, 2016, accessed on July 31, 2016 .