Film
Alone in Berlin, based on the 1947 fiction novel, of the same name, by Hans Fallada, which in turn was based on the lives of Otto and Elise Hampel.
The film is set in Berlin, 1940, and follows the working class Otto (Brendan Gleeson – Assassin’s Creed, Suffragette, Edge of Tomorrow) and Anna Hampel (Emma Thompson – Beauty and the Beast, Saving Mr. Banks), starting when they receive news that their only son has been killed in war, fighting for Germany. The two decide to resist the Nazi regime, with their boldness growing as the dark days go by. Soon, however, the Gestapo are hunting this threat, putting Otto and Elise in grave danger.
Alone in Berlin tells its story in a slow, surreal way, focussing more on character and emotion, as apposed to the evil, hatred and violence we are all to familiar with, from film set in the midst of World War 2. One feels the heavy burden, and oppression, weighing on Otto and Anna, applauding them for trying to maintain as much humanity as possible, where any deed against the Reich would mean torture, imprisonment and almost certain death.
The intrigue and tension mount once the police begin an investigation, led by officer Escherich (Daniel Brühl – Captain America: Civil War, Woman in Gold, A Most Wanted Man) seeking the ones who are spreading anti-war sentiment. Otto and Anna must now make decisions that will affect their very lives. Soon the Gestapo are breathing down the neck of the police, demanding a swift end to the case and threat.
Alone in Berlin is a stark look at what life was like during the last days of Nazi Germany, and the rule of Hitler. A talented cast bring the complex characters to life, and great direction place the viewer in the midst of the fray. An engrossing drama, that is sure to keep one riveted until the very end.
Disc
Overall, the disc is of good quality technically, although without any bonus material.
Alone in Berlin is available now, to purchase on disc, in South Africa.
Video
Video is encoded at a high average bitrate. There are no visible artefacts on screen, from encoding, or otherwise. There is also no visible colour bleed.
Colour saturation in the film are slightly subdued, reflecting both the look and mood of the time.
Audio
Audio is presented in both a Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 downmix soundtrack. Both of which are encoded at a high average bitrate.
Dialogue is clear via the centre speaker, with the front left and right carrying the majority of other sound. Due to the nature of the story, the surrounds do not get too much of a workout, but serve to expand the on-screen action, and further draw the viewer into the story.
Navigation
Navigation is very easy and simple. Perhaps too basic, missing a few items that might be of use to a viewer, such as selecting between soundtracks.
The main menu is static, with background music, and text links for playing the main feature, or selecting a specific chapter via a scenes menu.
The chapters sub-menu has a moving background, displaying some stills from the film, with four small, colour motion thumbnails. While the thumbnails are numbered, they do not have chapter titles, meaning one would need some guesswork as to where in the film you are navigating.
Bonus Features
There are no bonus features, other than trailers for the game Lego City Undercover, Manchester by the Sea, and Lion.
These can be both fast-forwarded, or individually skipped.
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