User Reviews

The historical importance of Kurt Maetzig's Marriage in the Shadows flows helplessly from the time and place of its making; a German film from 1947 dealing with the country's then-very recent history of anti-Semitism, explicitly positing that those who went along with the Nazi project should face a subsequent moral reckoning. Assessed ungenerously, the film is an early exemplar of the (at worst) implicitly Holocaust denying strand of cinema that pushes the collective experience of the six million into the background, focusing on an individual narrative of relative privilege (albeit here of a short-lived kind). But the film has more than enough social and emotional authenticity and immediacy to surmount its narrative and cinematic limitations. It focuses on a group of actors, starting off in 1933 in flirtatious mode with the beautiful Jewish actress Elisabeth juggling several potential suitors, most of them assuming that the ascendant Nazism will either peter out or that their status as actors will somehow shield them from its worst impacts; eventually. Elisabeth marries the non-Jewish Hans, not her first choice, but seemingly providing some stability and protection. The relationship deepens, but eventually it's clear that Elisabeth will be deported, and Hans fatally poisons her and then himself (the closing titles cites the actor Joachim Gottchalk, who died with his Jewish wife and son in 1941, and whose history the film draws on in several respects). With few exceptions (such as a late passage subjectively depicting Elisabeth's overwhelmed mental state) the film is stylistically unremarkable, but it effectively enough conveys a horror greater than the characters' capacity to comprehend it; even several years into the war, Hans is fatally naïve regarding his ability to protect Elisabeth, and another character deludes himself that he's doing some good within the system, whatever the evidence to the contrary. Depressing contemporary resonances and parallels are, of course, all too easy to identify.

what I don't get is why was the autobiography of Joachim Gottchalks changed to be fictitious, rather than accurate? I don't think he had any living relatives that the studio would have to pay copy rights.Nor any relatives who were ashamed about him that they would Sue the studio for making it accurately.Another Question.Did Paul Klinger and Hilda Von Stoltz did this film in East Germany to make sure they would not get black listed , because of working under Goebbels? And what about Naomi? Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha! You know your greedy corporate Broadcasters of classic films and distributors would not release this film,In the U.s.a., cause half of the actors worked under the Nazis and they would see the movie as hypocritical, to save money.This was done in d.e.f.a that spells communism.May be Paul Klinger needed the money.Never the less in spite of changed names and eliminating the son.The story came real close.Although in real life it was more horrid.This call for a remake.Paul Klinger plays a becoming successful Actor Hans Wieland on the stage. Tomboyish actress Hilde Steppat plays Elizabeth.They are both a successful stage couple in Germany.It shows how they are a successful team, with their best friend Kurt, played by Alfed Balthoff. They're life goes perfect Until one day they confront an anti Semitic sigh in their neighborhood.Then things get worst.Even after Hans Marries Elizabeth it get's worsen.Although this goes form 33 to 43.The German film maker shows accurate the rise of the Nazis.The breaking of glass and vandalism against shop.This movie also employs footage of the real Nazis marching.But remember this is the communist side of Germany doing this.Western Berlin was not ready to criticize it's past even make fun of it until the 1950's.In spite of this Mr Kurt did a good job of the film.The suicide was changed .Instead of gas it was Nitro glycerin pills. It also shows that many Jews had yet to be caught and sent to the camp by mid forties .This was inaccurate.By 1943 there was hardly any more Jews in Germany ,except for those lucky ones,Like Hienz Ruhmann second wife. Besides the styles were of 1947 and not 1933 to 1943.accuracy about the 20's 30' 40's would not come in in motion pictures until about the 1970's .In spite of all this it was still a good movie.It was at the end of it that it showed the funeral of Hans and Elizabeth, the German titles mention about the real Joachim Gottchalk and the year he was really buried,which was 1941.This was the only time that this film was accurate.Hilda Von Stolz, as always even after the war still plays the back ground.Hello good bye 05/27/12

"Ehe im Schatten" or "Marriage in the Shadows" and there are a handful more title under which you may (or may not) find this film we have here. It runs for slightly under 100 minutes and was written and directed by Kurt Maetzig. The original novel the film is based on is by Hans Schweikart. This is the story of a married couple and how the Nazis' rise to power and ideology makes more and more of a dangerous impact on their marriage. They are both actors, but as the woman is Jewish, her career quickly goes south because of her religion and origins. The interesting thing is how it all unfolds. Initially, we hear for example that the characters think it's nothing serious or that the husband says he will easily use his popularity to protect her, but they clearly underestimated the situation. Unfortunately, they absolutely did not make the most of this premise. There are moments when it is an okay little film, but there are also many lengths and almost all the supporting character are pretty bland and uninteresting, so every time the story moves away for a second directly from the couple, it's just not worth seeing at all. This is especially disappointing as Maetzig, who by the way lived for over a hundred years, had quite a few pretty talented actors at his disposal, such as Paul Klinger, Ilse Steppat (who is most known today for playing a Bond villain shortly before her untimely death) or Hans Leibelt and actually some others you may recognize if you have an interest in German films from an era long gone. You can find the entire cast list here on IMDb. All in all, all the heartbreak and emotion inside this film did not really manage to get to me and touch me in a way I hoped it would. This is one of the truly early German films dealing with the years of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, but it is far from the best and does not really deserve any of the praise or accolades it has been getting. I give it a thumbs-down. Not recommended.