Kameradschaft (Comradeship)
Directecd by G.W. Pabst
Written by Leon Worth et al from a novel by Carl Haensel
1931/Germany
Nero-Film AG/Gaumont-Franco Film-Aubert (G.F.F.A)
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Criterion Channel
The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience. — Lech Walesa
The film takes place in villages on either side of the Franco-German border and in two coal mines extracting from the same large seam of coal that runs under the border. As the film begins, German unemployed men are trying to cross the border into France. They are turned away. Then we see three German miners who are trying to enjoy drinks at a dance hall on the French side of the border. They are welcomed until they try to dance with the French girls. This is not appreciated by the French men and they are summarily thrown out. We learn that there is a fire on the French side of the mine but everybody assumes it will soon be put out.
But the situation on the French side just gets worse and worse. Fires break out everywhere and beams collapse crushing miners. Over 600 miners are trapped by fire and cave-ins on the French side and the “cage” that would take rescue brigades down stops working. German miners spontaneously form a rescue brigade. Even the three German miners who were snubbed by the French in the dance hall decide to break through the underground border gate and come to the aid of their comrade at great peril to themselves.
This is a picture about the brotherhood of workers. There is also an anti-war theme. As such I expected it to be heavy on the message.
This movie would have been excellent without any message. It is very suspenseful, the script is first-rate, and the special effects down in the mine are incredible. The ensemble cast speaks both French and German and is excellent. You feel like you are down there with the trapped men and I had tears in my eyes at many places. Quite an achievement considering the year it was made. Highly recommended.
Fan trailer
