Comradeship

Comradeship (Kameradschaft) (1931)

Runtime: 89 minutes

Directed by: G.W. Pabst

Starring: Alexander Granach, Fritz Kampers, Ernst Busch, Daniel Mendaille, Georges Charlia

From: Nero Film A.G./Gaumont-Franco Film-Aubert

I finally saw this German/French production and it was worth a view: 

As I am me, I have had this Criterion release (under its original name of Kameradschaft) for awhile now yet because I am me, it was not viewed by myself until now. Turns out, it was an inspiring story which seems especially nice in the chaos-filed world that is 2020.

The setting is a mine that is on the border between Germany and France, and each country works on their own side, divided by an iron gate; the entire region is in a recession so tension is high between the residents of the neighboring towns. It is complicated between the two countries. People cross over all the time but trouble sometimes arises, especially at the bars if people have too much schnapps and suddenly feel more free to air their true feelings. When disaster strikes, though-in the form of a fire in the mine causing the French mines to collapse and their workers are trapped. Some German miners are willing to assist in the rescue effort; arms did not have to be twisted too hard for them to offer relief. This bit of nationalism and the overall unsubtle message of this was fine with me as it was a nice and uplifting story where Pabst clearly wished for peace between nations. Plus, equal time is spent with the two sides; you hear French and German almost in equal measure.

It was an exciting movie where the first 20 minutes or so are spent setting up the characters & situation before the accident occurs. The rest is the rescue efforts and the wives of the miners being overcome with emotion over the tragedy. It was shot very well on realistic sets; claustrophobic moments abound. In addition, there is great camerawork, which was especially impressive considering it was 1931. This rousing tale was another success for G.W. Pabst.