"Rosen für den Staatsanwalt" or "Der Staatsanwalt" or "Roses for the Prosecutor" is an award-winning West German movie from 1959, so this one will have its 60th anniversary soon. It runs for almost 100 minutes and is one of the most known and successful (in terms of awards attention) filmmaking efforts by writer and director Wolfgang Staudte, who you could say was in the middle stages of his career at that point. If you take a look at the year, you should not be surprised that here we have a black-and-white film. Giller and Held were both nominated for German Film Awards for their portrayals and not undeservingly so, even if I personally would have said Held was better, even if Giller got the award. Werner Peters' supporting performance as also nominated, but this was maybe a bit too much. If he made an impact anywhere, then it was during his blackmail scene towards the end, but that was not enough. Ingrid von Bergen completes the nominated quartet. She was alright, had a lot of screen time (especially compared to Peters) and actually she is still alive today at a pretty old age. Same is true for Ralf Wolter, who really has been in many of these old films, that much is safe, and he is even older than IvB. His role here is minimal though, only two brief inclusions. Anyway, as for the title here, this film was initially known as "Der Staatsanwalt" ("The Prosecutor"), which would have put even more focus on Held's performance at the center of the film.
It is the story of two men who meet on two very different occasions. The first occasion is one of them being a judge during the years of Nazi Germany who is in charge of jurisprudence over the other. And the second occasion is after the War, when the former judge is worried about his dark past being brought back to life when he is recognized by the other guy again. As a consequence, he harasses him, not in person but with means of legal pressure by having his work permit declared invalid for example, tries to punish him once again in order to keep him from telling about what he did during the years of Nazi Germany. The film is carried by the two strong performances in here and I must say that the script is very convincing too. Let me mention a few scenes and moments that are evidence of that. One defining thing was really the bad guy's arrogance, megalomannia you could almost say. He sees himself 100% above the law really. Or at least above the law that is valid after World War II. Just take a look at the scene when he makes sure to help the guy get out of the country early on, a convict who insulted a Jewish carpet salesman. And if Held's character has to cheat a bit around with court documents to get away with that, then no problem. It is allso interesting how the bad guy here is a genuine lead character, maybe even minimally more than the good guy. Nothing you saw too frequently in those films back then, especially those from Germany. The title is also unusual. It is not directly linked to the key story, but more to the elaboration of the premise and the bad guy's character because these flowers are the exact opposite of something positive, even if they sound like it (everybody loves to get flowers for a good deed), but an exhibit of how morally bankrupt the man is. The "highlight" for me personally, however, is near the end when he is not scared of making the despicable document disappear. What is his reason? He has to do so because his country needs him, there may be a higher purpose to his existence as he says himself. He certainly is en route to developing a God complex, if he hasnn't already. However, while his partner is merely scared of what could happen to him, her son does no go so easy on the influential man, helps the good guy even on one occasions and cheers for him when in court at the end. Or actually mocks the bad guy early on at the table when once again the latter starts about defining personalities and men and how he kinda sees himself as one of those, but then whines like a girl about too hot coffee. This was a rare comedic moment this film had to offer. Another would be when one character shows too much reason and makes too much sense when dealing with an official authority, so despite the historic gravity, this film will also put a smile on your lips here and there. Oh yes, one final note that shows us exactly the political views of the bad guy (who by the way also could have made for an amazing Columbo villain) here is when he buys all these papers and takes a look around making sure nobody hears him when he says he also wats the military paper still kinda hoping Germany could win a crucial war.
This is one of many films in which Germany tried to come to terms (in a fictitious sense) with what happened between 1933 and 1945 and there are many films that are really not convincing when it comes to this subject. I also believe the 1950s and 1960s weren't too amazing in terms of German cinema and there are not too many exceptions. But this black-and-white film is one of them. It has depth, great character development and (as I already mentioned) strong writing and acting. It is definitely worth seeing if you are interested in the subject. Also pretty accurate that it won the big prize at the German Film Awards that year, even if they went with another movie to represent Germany at the Oscars back then. Second time I watched this I think and I also feel it does not get one bit worse on rewatch. On the contrary really, you discover something new, something interesting again, for example the romantic relationship with the initially very distant character played by IvB. They and others (such as his lawyer) may say it is best to not take up the fight against the influential and powerful public prosecutor, but when our hero does, then the more and more he stands up for himself and the injustice he experienced, the more and more she is attracted to the man (Tunichtgut as we say in German a bit) mounting in her running after him in the very end. A smart movie, still relevant today and there are many interesting inclusions. Go check it out, it's still on from time to time. Thumbs up.
It is the story of two men who meet on two very different occasions. The first occasion is one of them being a judge during the years of Nazi Germany who is in charge of jurisprudence over the other. And the second occasion is after the War, when the former judge is worried about his dark past being brought back to life when he is recognized by the other guy again. As a consequence, he harasses him, not in person but with means of legal pressure by having his work permit declared invalid for example, tries to punish him once again in order to keep him from telling about what he did during the years of Nazi Germany. The film is carried by the two strong performances in here and I must say that the script is very convincing too. Let me mention a few scenes and moments that are evidence of that. One defining thing was really the bad guy's arrogance, megalomannia you could almost say. He sees himself 100% above the law really. Or at least above the law that is valid after World War II. Just take a look at the scene when he makes sure to help the guy get out of the country early on, a convict who insulted a Jewish carpet salesman. And if Held's character has to cheat a bit around with court documents to get away with that, then no problem. It is allso interesting how the bad guy here is a genuine lead character, maybe even minimally more than the good guy. Nothing you saw too frequently in those films back then, especially those from Germany. The title is also unusual. It is not directly linked to the key story, but more to the elaboration of the premise and the bad guy's character because these flowers are the exact opposite of something positive, even if they sound like it (everybody loves to get flowers for a good deed), but an exhibit of how morally bankrupt the man is. The "highlight" for me personally, however, is near the end when he is not scared of making the despicable document disappear. What is his reason? He has to do so because his country needs him, there may be a higher purpose to his existence as he says himself. He certainly is en route to developing a God complex, if he hasnn't already. However, while his partner is merely scared of what could happen to him, her son does no go so easy on the influential man, helps the good guy even on one occasions and cheers for him when in court at the end. Or actually mocks the bad guy early on at the table when once again the latter starts about defining personalities and men and how he kinda sees himself as one of those, but then whines like a girl about too hot coffee. This was a rare comedic moment this film had to offer. Another would be when one character shows too much reason and makes too much sense when dealing with an official authority, so despite the historic gravity, this film will also put a smile on your lips here and there. Oh yes, one final note that shows us exactly the political views of the bad guy (who by the way also could have made for an amazing Columbo villain) here is when he buys all these papers and takes a look around making sure nobody hears him when he says he also wats the military paper still kinda hoping Germany could win a crucial war.
This is one of many films in which Germany tried to come to terms (in a fictitious sense) with what happened between 1933 and 1945 and there are many films that are really not convincing when it comes to this subject. I also believe the 1950s and 1960s weren't too amazing in terms of German cinema and there are not too many exceptions. But this black-and-white film is one of them. It has depth, great character development and (as I already mentioned) strong writing and acting. It is definitely worth seeing if you are interested in the subject. Also pretty accurate that it won the big prize at the German Film Awards that year, even if they went with another movie to represent Germany at the Oscars back then. Second time I watched this I think and I also feel it does not get one bit worse on rewatch. On the contrary really, you discover something new, something interesting again, for example the romantic relationship with the initially very distant character played by IvB. They and others (such as his lawyer) may say it is best to not take up the fight against the influential and powerful public prosecutor, but when our hero does, then the more and more he stands up for himself and the injustice he experienced, the more and more she is attracted to the man (Tunichtgut as we say in German a bit) mounting in her running after him in the very end. A smart movie, still relevant today and there are many interesting inclusions. Go check it out, it's still on from time to time. Thumbs up.
