'38 - Vienna Before the Fall

Story

Synopsis

The film presents the political events surrounding the Anschluss in March of 1938 through the lives of Carola Hell, a popular young actress at the prestigious Theater in der Josefstadt, and Martin Hofmann, the Jewish journalist she plans to marry. When we encounter the couple in the lovely springtime weather their future is full of promise. They are determined to stay clear of politics. Yet in the climate of the time, nobody of her prominence or his religion can remain apolitical. Although Martin's journalist friend, Drechsler, calls to inform them that the Nazis plan to take over Austria soon, they concentrate on their work and their private happiness and dismiss the warnings.

Director

Wolfgang Glück

Writers

Lida Winiewicz, Wolfgang Glück, Friedrich Torberg

Language

German

Country

Austria, Germany

Release date

2 October 1986

Ensemble

Cast

• Tobias Engel

  Martin

• 

  Sunnyi Melles

  Carola

• Heinz Trixner

  Toni

• 

  Romuald Pekny

  Sovary

• 

  Ingrid Burkhard

  Frau Schostal

• David Cameron

  Oberst

• Josef Fröhlich

  Kemetter

• Tanja von Oertzen

  Frau von Wartenburg

• 

  Lotte Ledl

  Carola's Mother

• Walter Starz

  Sollnau

• 

  Lukas Resetarits

  Cabdriver

• Gerhard Bronner