TANNBACH 2 - MOVIE [DVD] [2017]

“Tannbach II” – a miniseries in three parts – is a historical drama about a (fictional) German village that is divided by the inner-German border between East Germany (DDR) and West Germany (BRD). Here is some basic information about this drama which was shown on German television (ZDF) in January 2018:** Director: Alexander Dierbach** Writers: Josephin Thayenthal, Robert Thayenthal & Silke Zertz** Soundtrack: German – no English subtitles** Run time: 98 + 94 + 92 minutes = 284 minutesThe cast, which can be divided into two groups, includes the following:TANNBACH WEST** Heiner Lauterbach as Georg von Striesow** Anna Loos as Rosemarie Czerny** Alexander Held as Franz Schober** Jonathan Berlin as Walter Imhoff** Mercedes Müller as Christa Schober** Robert Stadlober as Horst VöcklerTANNBACH EAST** Henriette Confurius as Anna Erler** Jonas Nay as Friedrich Erler** Martina Gedeck as Hilde Vöckler** Clemens Schick as Wolfgang HerderAs stated above, this is a historical drama, i.e. a fictional story that is placed in a historical context. In this case, the context is Germany during the Cold War (1945-1990).While Tannbach is a fictional village, the notion that a village was divided between east and west is not fiction. The story of Tannbach is based on the fate of the village Mödlereuth, which was known as Little Berlin, because it was divided between east and west during the Cold War. Tannbach is the name of the river that runs through this village.I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone. Therefore I am not going to reveal too much about what happens in this drama. I will merely offer some basic facts about it. “Tannbach” season one  – a miniseries in three parts – which was shown on German television (ZDF) in 2015, covers the time 1945-1952. “Tannbach” season two covers the time 1960-1968. As stated above, there are three episodes. Here are the headlines:# 1. “Schatten des Krieges” – “In the Shadow of the War” – this episode is set in 1960.# 2. “Frieden aus Stein” – “Peace Made of Stone” – this episode is set in the year 1961.# 3. “Traum von Frühling” – “The Dream of Spring” – this episode is set in 1968.What do reviewers say about this drama? On IMDb it has a rating of 75 per cent, which corresponds to (almost) four stars on Amazon. What do I think about it? I think season two is better than season one. Why?Season one has a flaw: many characters seem like one-dimensional types and not like real persons. In my review of season one, I offer a rating of four stars. In season two, this flaw is gone. The characters seem like real persons.The setting is the same and several characters are the same, but the story has moved forward in time, from the 1940s and the 1950s to the 1960s. Obviously, there is much focus on the fact that the village is divided by a wall, but other issues are covered as well. I will not offer any details.The script is well-written and the actors play their roles well. The story is captivating, dramatic, and often highly emotional. While the story is fictional, it is placed in a context which seems to be very realistic.I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars.

Was a waste of money. NO SUBTITLES - neither English nor German. Hence no good for the international market and nor for those hard of hearing German speakers. Series 1 shown on BBC in the UK with subtitles. Let’s hope that will be the case for Series 2, if broadcast