User Reviews

Great series, great story, very interesting and well told.

The dubbing is horrible. I don't know why there was no emphasis placed on the dubbing, but I'll disregard the dubbing for my rating.

I felt like Malick Bauer was trying so hard to use these facial expressions, where he smiles even though he is hurting on the inside, but they didn't connect with me, because they were just all over the place and not meaningful in those moments, especially because he overuses them. In episode 4 or 5 he is walking this girl home and he does that constantly, then has this major outburst and goes back to the grinning. I know what he was trying to do it, but he just overacted badly and he tends to do that a lot in the series. Which is sad, because he seems to have potential. I think this role was just too big for him to carry.

Contrary to the other comments, I don't get the whole problem with him being well build and being such a helpless nerd. I know a lot of gym nerds. What I did find irritating is the fact that the actor often just runs through some dialogues, which makes him hard to understand in German, even for a German person.

If the main actor was better this series could have easily been a rewatchable 7 because the story is so intriguing. I am really torn between giving it a 5 or a 6, but I'm going to go with the 6 because I love the fact that this was made.

For me the series really takes off in episode 3. Maybe I am just too young to care for the whole historical, political fall of the wall situation, but the bond that is established between him and - sorry, I almost spoilered. The bond he establishes in episode 3 makes the whole series worth watching and interesting. A lot happens between the lines, which is great. It is pretty well written.

The cinematography is for German standards very good.

I must say, the only issue I really had was with the main actor. I didn't quite get a lot of his acting decisions or facial expressions at times, but other than that, it was a good watch.

I find it hard to feel for the protagonist. Not just because I don't think he's a great actor, even though he had some good moments in the series, but my biggest problem lies in the physical aspect of things.

He is bigger and looks stronger than anybody else in the series. So even when a group of people jump him, that all look like twigs next to him, I don't feel like he's in any real danger.

This could have been fixed very easily, by simply casting at least some actors and stunt guys who don't weigh 30kg less than him.

I like the tempo and feel of the series, but towards the end it becomes a little less interesting.

As an Afro-German I cannot stress enough how important this story and series is to me. Far too often black narratives are pushed aside in this country and this show is one great example on how to change the view society has on black communities and to amplify black voices and stories.

Congrats to the whole team for creating an outstanding piece of art (in comparison to other German shows)! Can't wait to see what's next for the actors (esp. Malick Bauer) and creators that made this project come to life.

Also: Do yourself a favor and watch it in original language with subtitles as the dubbed version doesn't do it justice!

Unfortunately a very boring series. Cast, acting, dialogues and dramaturgy are very lame. Couldn't make it past the third episode. It is very sad to see this bad work despite the powerful real story.

Most of the characters are.soggy and not really charismatic. The old army officer is the only one with really good acting.no one is really convincing with his acting.

The whole topic of racism in the nineties in germany couldn't really be felt. It is like a telenovela where you can see see the bad acting in every scene of every episode.

And it is really not exciting at all. This is what bothers me the most.

I recommend watching the original Version with subtitles as the dubbed version doesn't possess the same emotional impact I loved watching Sam's growth as man with a troubled past and challenging present, I found the acting to be captivating and at times forgot I was watching actors. The pace is fast and each episode has its own arc to it I watched it in two sittings as I was drawn into it and wanted to see the outcome the fact that the movie is based on actual events and people made it even more compelling. It was educational for someone who was nit as familiar with what was happening in Germany around the time before and during and after the fall of the wall.

How is this getting such a good rating? The main actor did not sink his teeth into the role. Sorry for saying it. I heard great things about the series, watched it and the whole series focuses around a guy who's lived a pretty astonishing life, but the actor gives me practically no growth or transformation. He plays the same guy from beginning to end, even though the things he goes through must have had an effect on him, which it even says in the breakdown of the book.

In the beginning of the movie the actor playing Sam is supposed to be 20, but the actor, Malick Bauer looks just as old as the person the book is based on looks right now.

When you create an autobiographical piece based on a single person, the production falls or thrives with the actor portraying that role. Sadly Malick Bauer failed to make the character believable or likeable.

I love the actual themes the movie addresses and what the actor actually goes through, even going as far as picking a questionable profession early on in the series, considering his ethnicity. Great story. Disappointing acting and character development.

I couldn't wait to watch all the episodes of Sam - A Saxon.

It was worth the wait. An emotional story is told that so many of us can relate to.

What makes it so special is that it's based on a true story.

They have chosen a super cast! I especially loved little Sam - played by Elyas Eldridge. Of course, grown-up Sam was good too.

You can really put yourself in the character's shoes. Some scenes brought tears to my eyes.

I don't want to give any spoilers. It's best to see for yourself. I loved everything about it.

I've decided to watch all the episodes again this weekend :-)

I can absolutely recommend watching it!!!!!

Sam is an utterly engaging thrill ride that takes you into he heart of East Germany and reunification - through the perspective of a Black man who experiences a totally different version of history from what we're used to reading about the time. The acting is amazing and the direction is right on, the pacing is great and the whole thing just comes together in a really moving story.

Malick Bauer especially stands out as Sam - I can't believe he hasn't been scooped up by Hollywood yet. Like another review here says, make sure to watch it in the orignial with subtitles. You miss all the great performances if it"s dubbed.

I'm sorry to say that the new series on Disney+ about the story of Sam Mefire is a major disappointment. Despite the important subject matter, the show fails on so many levels, from the cast to the dialogue, the acting, and the overall dramaturgy.

First and foremost, the cast is completely miscast, with actors who don't look or feel like they belong in 90s Germany. This lack of authenticity is compounded by weak acting, with performances that feel forced and wooden, failing to convey the emotional depth required for such a serious subject.

The dialogue is equally problematic, with stilted exchanges that lack any real depth or nuance. The characters seem to be going through the motions, with no real connection to the issues at hand. The show's attempts at tackling complex themes are clumsy and heavy-handed, with none of the subtlety or nuance that the subject matter demands.

The overall dramaturgy is also a mess, with jarring transitions, inconsistent pacing, and confusing character motivations. It's difficult to get invested in the story when the show can't seem to decide what it wants to be.

All in all, the new series about Sam Mefire, his life and racism in 90s Germany is a lackluster effort that fails to do justice to the important issues it attempts to address. I would not recommend this show to anyone looking for a nuanced and well-crafted exploration of this important topic.

I didn't expect much from the show, but once I started watching, I couldn't stop. The story is unbelievable. Feels like no one could've made that stuff up. And it isn't made up at all. It is actually a true story told by a truly diverse team that has created a show, that is in my humble opinion one of the best German productions in a while. If you're interested in a yet untold view to East German post war life, this is your show. The perspective of a black man in Saxony, without this being a stereotypical victim narrative, but an authentic story of a young man struggling with his place in the world. Struggle that only people of color would usually be able to understand.

Why is the main actor so freaking huge? I met the real Samuel Meffire, and he's not that big or nearly as build as him.

There is this huge time jump, where they actually say, all Sam does now is train, but you see practically no difference between the Sam from 2 before that to this one. He looks just as ripped.

The fact that he was so super ripped in the beginning of the series made it hard to feel sorry for him. I'm not saying a big guy can't get pushed around, but the actor played this timid, stuttering guy where the look and what he was playing just didn't work well together. Sorry.

In episode 3 where he actually is supposed to be a strong and tough guy it starts making sense, I wish the actor would have been more disciplined and would have gone the extra mile to show us a physical difference between "early getting pushed around Sam" and late "I can beat anybody in a fight Sam."

It's the story of Samuel Meffire - the first black police officer in former East Germany. A piece about inner-German history told from the perspective of a black German man.

What was put together by Tyron Rickets, Jörg Winger and Team jointly with an absolutely diverse and colorful by all means cast and team either on or off screen was simply amazing.

We needed to get to the year 2023 to get a story like this on a movie screen in Germany...

And anyway don't miss the more than breathtaking performance of lead actor Malick Bauer it might be the first time you see him, but definitely there will be much more to come!

It's worth watching, because it's a true story and the man's life is truly interesting.

But the acting is mediocre. Sound is mediocre. Most songs really didn't resonate with me at all. Cinematography is pretty good. Nice camerawork. Great sets. Wardrobe works. Fantastic story, but not so great dialogues.

A lot of the jokes seemed forced and a lot of old jokes were just reused rather than come up with new things to say. Like the whole coconut thing. They've used that in so many movies already, at least put a new spin on it if you have to use an old joke.

There was a lot of filler, that did not seem meaningful to the story or the main character. It seemed like the producers wanted to stretch a movie into a series.

Just my personal opinion.

I am watching Sam for the second time right now and still discover new references.

The story tells the life story of Samuel Meffire. It is right: The worst experiences in the end are at least good stories. A series with profoundness, a ludicrous story, reaching the standard of telling a missing part of perception in German history: Black and eastern German.

But all the ambition doesn't stop one from binging through the series without halt. It is absorbing, funny, dramatic, sad, compelling, outrageous and disturbing. Nontheless it is made for people who want to be entertained - and for people like me.

I am thankful to being able to watch this hommage to the Afrogerman history. As an Afrogerman I find links to my own life. I feel seen and understood.

I had to think back to the 90ies here in western Germany, living as an Afrogerman. That is no comparison to what Sam might have experienced, but still I feel him so much. Meffire grew up in a society who produced NSU. While watching the series you can tell where this came from. Watching Sam we see German history through the eyes of Black Germans. A very rare and authentic glimpse, an important document of contemporary history, which we were missing up to now.

I especially liked the actors Malick Brauer, who embodies Sam without victimizing him in a respectfull and empathetic way. Tyron Rickets as Alex is great. You can tell, everybody involved was attached tot he project. Unusually awesome. I am totally stunned.

Thank you for showing our truth.

As someone who grew up in Germany to Caribbean parents, I truly enjoyed every minute of this show. It is a story unlike any I've ever watched-both growing up as a black girl in Germany and now living in the US and watching from a distance. I learned a lot of things from this show that have inspired me to research Samuel Meffire's story as well as that of other important Afro-German activists, artists, etc. Loved the tribute and mentioning of May Ayim. This is an important show to watch for anyone, but especially people with ties to Germany. It's the kind of history we need to see more of. Looking forward to similar stories in the future. Thank you to the creators of this show!

"Sam - A Saxon" is a captivating series that offers a fascinating glimpse into German history, particularly the pre- and post-Berlin Wall era. What sets this show apart is its exploration from the perspective of an Afro German protagonist, shedding light on a narrative rarely spoken of. As someone who didn't grow up seeing many Afro Germans on screen, it was refreshing to witness such representation. The cast is wonderfully diverse, adding depth to the story, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend watching it. I viewed it in German, so I cannot address criticisms regarding the dubbing.

There are so many stories to tell, but so many valuable voices are systemically silenced.

Now we have a series - based on a real life story - that for a long time couldn't get any traction with the powers-that-be in the entertainment industry. Apparently, not enough (negative) stereotypes were being services. Not enough dehumanization took place.

Chapeau to the team of this series for fighting the good fight, and not giving up in the face of normative adversity!

I, for one, am ready to hear the WHOLE story. The story from the vantage point of the hunted, and not only the hunter.

• What does it feel like being on the proverbial other side?

• Are the hunters really the objective heroes they portray themselves to be?

• Or are they something else/worse?

WE NEED MORE OF THESE STORIES!

FROM THESE (non-normative) PERSPECTIVES!