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Jungens

Jungens (1941)

May 02, 1941 1h 20m Drama

The keywords for this film are comradeship and trust among the youth of a small village on the Baltic which is firmly under the control of an innkeeper, Ottokar Waschke. Waschke owns the only tugboat in town, which the town's fishermen, who make up the majority of the employed, need to transport their catch. So he forces them to sell their fish for a pittance, which Waschke then re-sells at an enormous profit. In the meantime, a big-city teacher, Helmut Grundel, comes to the village and discovers Waschke's little game. Grundel wants to form a collective, so that the fishermen can become independent from Waschke and this makes Waschke into a dangerous enemy. When the young Heini, son of a dune-patrolman, discovers that canisters of liquour are being smuggled into Pommern under Waschke's watchful eye, Waschke threatens Heini, that he'll turn his father into the police, with the baseless accusation that daddy is behind the smuggling operation.

Directed by Robert A. Stemmle

Cast

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Albert Hehn
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Albert Hehn

as Hellmut Gründel

Hilde Sessak
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Hilde Sessak

as Lene

Bruni Löbel
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Bruni Löbel

as Anne-Liese Gründel

Georg Thomalla
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Georg Thomalla

as Jochen Krafft

Dieter Borsche
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Dieter Borsche

as Schupo in Königsberg

Crew

Director
  • Robert A. Stemmle

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Jungens examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Robert A. Stemmle brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1941, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Jungens took approximately 12 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 80 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 123 minutes long.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The costume department created over 395 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • The musical score contains over 74 unique compositions.

Historical Context

  • In 1941, when this film was released:
  • The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
  • The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: May 2, 1941
  • Runtime: 1h 20m

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