k-kotynski The film The Murderers are Among Us was the first film to be produced after the Second World War and was also the first film during that period to evaluate the sense of collective guilt among the German people for the atrocities committed in WWII. This film focuses on the character Dr. Mertens, who is a returning soldier after the war. He is plagued by guilt derived from an execution order given by his superior officer, Brückner, which resulted in the death of many women and children. Dr. Mertens eventually finds out that Brückner is still alive and attempts to kill him, however, in the end decides that personal revenge is not the best option, and that wartime offenses are best left punished by the law.This ending is slightly different from the original (in which Dr. Mertens follows through with Brückner's murder), because the Russian occupying power in Germany at the time of its production called for a more constructive approach. The Russians were the only occupying power in Germany to give consent for this films production, because the other occupying powers felt the German people needed to undergo much more post war re-education before they would be ready to produce films free of propaganda. This film was a great first example to show that the German's were capable of producing a film after the war that was both democratic and humanistic. This film also began a trend of "rubble films". Rubble films, such as this one, employ the use of Berlin's demolished buildings to evoke emotion and add a realistic edge to the setting.I personally really enjoyed this film, as the use of rubble throughout the film brought a piece of history to life. This film also successfully gave me another impression of Germany post WWII, that being of a more innocent side of Germany that felt guilt for the atrocities of war, and also a Germany that was taking lawful action against guilty parties. I would recommend this film to anyone who is interested in learning more about German history or WWII history, as it realistically portrays the physical and emotional damages of the war, and also, is itself a historically relevant film, marking the beginning of a new age of German cinema.

Lechuguilla The opening scene conveys the film's mood. A low-angle camera shot shows bombed-out buildings, rubble in the street, an abandoned war tank, a makeshift wooden cross stuck in the ground, and a middle age man walking alone toward the camera, as three children play amid the ruins. There's no dialogue, just jazzy, bouncy, upbeat piano music that contrasts sharply with the bleak B&W image.Set in Berlin in 1945, the film tells the fictional story of a former surgeon, the man in the opening scene, whose name is Dr. Mertens (Ernst Borchert). He's dispirited and cynical. He meets up with a young woman, played by Hildegard Knef. The two of them share an uninviting apartment, severely damaged in the recently ended war. Knef's character is attracted to the dejected surgeon. But he's too disheartened to care. The deaths of thousands of people in a war render a surgeon's job of saving one life rather meaningless, according to Dr. Mertens. As the plot moves along, he reunites with an older, prosperous industrialist, a man whose attitude about the war is curiously indifferent.All of the film's photography was done in Berlin, right after the war. The destroyed buildings and brick rubble are a big part of the story, symbolic of human devastation. B&W, expressionistic cinematography is terrific, with stark shadows amid the ruins, human silhouettes against bleak, cracked walls.Interiors remind me of those in "The Blue Angel" (1930), dilapidated, dirty, cheap, drab, and very depressing. In "The Murderers Are Among Us", background music is minimal. Most scenes lack music, and the story is more potent for it. Sound effects consist of squeaky doors, footsteps on wooden floors, and other realistic sounds. The film's casting and acting are fine.Historically significant as the first German film made in Germany following the end of WWII, "The Murderers Are Among Us" reminds us of the horrors of war. One scene near the end is unforgettable in its severity. Outside at night, with snow gently falling, arc lights create ghostly shadows. The surgeon stands alone amid the rubble, outside a damaged church where people inside are singing "Silent Night". Faces of the people are grim. What a bleak period in human history.

Jay Harris MURDERERS Among US is the first film that was made in Germany after the end or WW 2.It was made in Berlin amidst all the rubble. The Interior sets look like the actual half ruined apartments. It is in Black & White & exceptionally realistic. It proves one more time,how actually Black & White cinematography can be.The directer was noted German director Wolfgang Staudte.He & his father Fritz wrote the screenplay. We do not know the meaning of the title until near the end of this 81 minute film. This part is well done but grim.Hildegard Knef & Ernst Wilhelm Borchert are excellent in the two leading roles, Ms.Knef did make a few American & English movies. To be kind, she had a better career in European films than she had in English speaking roles,Only reason I cant give this a higher rating is that Ms.Knef looks too healthy to have spent the last 3 years in a concentration camp.Non-the-less this is still a very worthwhile film & should be seen, one reason being the plot is somewhat similar to the current movie' THE READER.Ratings: ***1/2 (out of 4) 95 points (out of 100) 9 (out of 10)

peterpolaroid Having just seen this movie for the first time, I'll agree with some of the other comments.The acting seems theatrical, at times almost political. The movie would make a great double with "The Third Man".What struck me was the significance of this movie. That the Soviets are the ones that made it possible. That forgiveness (and legal justice) not revenge were the goals to move past the horrors of life, a message only brought about by the Soviets changing the ending. Not having known the history of this movie, I wondered about the soviet involvement, when in one street scene children were playing within a stones throw of a wrecked soviet tank. (Or was it wrecked?).It was made in 1946. I can only imagine the hardship for everyone overrun by the wars destructive path. This movie plainly shows that life does continue.