Director: Delbert Mann
Writer: John McGreevey
Two men want to escape from East Germany (under Communist rule) but they will only go if they can take their families with them. Based on a true story.
107 min
Rating: 6.1/10
Released
Top Cast
John Hurt
Peter Strelzyk
Jane Alexander
Doris Strelzyk
Beau Bridges
Guenter Wetzel
Glynnis O'Connor
Petra Wetzel
Klaus Löwitsch
Schmolk
Sky du Mont
Ziegler
Movie Info
Director: Delbert Mann
Writer: John McGreevey
Production Companies: Walt Disney Productions, Bavaria Film
Countries: Germany, United Kingdom
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What Others Said
r96sk:
Good, could've been made a bit more subtly though.
<em>'Night Crossing'</em>, which portrays the true story of a hot air balloon escape from East Germany, is an interesting and well acted production. However, it doesn't do anything to throw you off the scent.
Predictability isn't always a negative, but it is one for this film in my opinion. Whether it be through knowledge of the event, reading the opening credits (where they acknowledge the families) or just general direction of the story - it's easy to see where it's going, as such the pacing is very slow; at least across the first and middle acts.
With that noted, things do end brightly thanks to the feel-good nature of the finale and the satisfactory cast. John Hurt (Peter) is the best of the bunch, while the few around him add to proceedings well. Günter Meisner, Mr. Slugworth himself, also makes an appearance. On the cast, it is kinda odd that some characters have British accents and some have German - you'd think the filmmakers would've picked one or the other.
I don't have any recollection of knowing about this true event before watching this, which is a surprise given I know about other stories regarding this topic. Either way, it's a solid film.