BEFORE THE FALL (NAPOLA) (DVD/WS/DOLBY 2.0 STEREO/DD 5.1/ENG-FR-SP-SUB)

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Product Description

• Actors: Tom Schilling, Joachim Bissemeyer, Claudia Michelsen, Martin Goeres, Max Riemelt
• Director: Dennis Gansel
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Format: Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language (Original Language): German
• Language (Subtitled): English
• Language (Subtitled): French
• Language (Subtitled): Spanish
• Region Code: 1
• Release Date: 2006-06-13
• Running Time: 110 minutes
• Theatrical Release Date: 2004

Customer Reviews

Reviewed on 2008-07-21 Dramatic & Emotional! This is a great drama showing how the misleading enticements of the Hitler regime to the German youth to join their training camps doesn't work when the two lead youth reveal that they do indeed have hearts with compassion for each other and their fellow mankind. It is very captivating and unpredictable with a very emotional ending.

Reviewed on 2008-03-08 Not really a gay movie, but watch it anyways! I wouldn't call this a specifically gay-themed movie. The relationship between the two main characters is definitely headed in a homoerotic direction but it was a strong friendship more than anything else. The plot ends in tragedy before the relationship can mature. That they shared some highly emotional moments was mostly due to the experiences they shared in the NaPoLa (National Political Academy). Napola (Before the Fall) focuses on the indoctrination of young minds into the marshal, fascist cult of German nationalism. So if you want a strictly gay movie then go see something else. What was much more striking was the story of what German military academies used to be like. None of my ancestors were in the Nazi schools but my grandfather, his brothers, and most of his ancestors were in some form of military academy during their childhoods and most were Prussian military officers or government officials. Based on the stories that have been passed down through the generations in my family this movie seems fairly accurate. At the military academy my grandfather attended he was "taught" to swim by being thrown into a pool when he was 5 years old. He managed to get out of the water but the next boy who was thrown in drowned while the older students stood around and laughed. The older students once broke up a fight between two of the younger kids long enough to give them both loaded revolvers, then told them to continue the fight. One of them died. One day when my grandfather was 9 he complained of pain in his abdomen. He was punished for showing weakness and then told to go sweep and mop a flight of stairs. When he collapsed and started vomiting he was kicked and struck. Eventually he was taken to the doctor and it was discovered he had appendicitis. Another time a soldier visiting the school pulled the pin on a grenade and tossed it into the yard where some of the students were playing. They fought over it until it exploded. The movie shows a somewhat similar scene. This sort of sadistic, brutal environment is bad enough for kids but the movie tries to show how much worse it can get for the two of them who are gay, one of whom is also an anti-Nazi dissident. In Germany, being a "Man" used to be something that needed to be continually proved. This mindset has been passed along through every generation of my family. Looking back, my upbringing was fairly psychotic. When my father would try to insult his sons he would say we weren't strong enough to be German and that we took after our American mother. If I ever experienced pain and made a noise I would be hit. If I made a noise when I was hit I would be hit over and over until I was silent. Almost every day in the freezing German winter I had to make a hole in the ice of the local farmer's duck pond and tread water for one minute. There is a similar scene in the movie. My first 20 mile "march" in 95 degree heat with no water took place when I was six years old. What was the point of all this? I had to learn to be a MAN! Why did I have to learn to be a man? Because I am German! These old-school Germans are completely crazy! If you don't believe me then watch this movie. Somewhere along the way I came to my senses and realized that all that macho crap was pointless. That was probably right around the time I realized I am gay, which is the most un-German thing that some one can ever be. The eye candy alone is reason enough to watch this movie. Max Riemelt is like a blond Jake Gyllenhaal, except that he has a much sexier smile!

Reviewed on 2008-02-24 One of my favorites ! Could you have been like Albrecht ?... Why some consider this movie to be a gay movie is a total mystery to me. Set in 1942 WW II Germany, we follow the story of two young men who come from totally different backgrounds, joining Hitler's "Elite" school the NAPOLA (Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalt). After beeing discovered as a great boxing talent by a NAPOLA teacher, Friedrich who is 17 years old and coming from a lowly working class family, sees NAPOLA as the only way to better himself; even if it means to forge his father's signature and "break" with his family. Then there is 16 years old Albrecht, who is the son of Gauleiter Stein and grew up in luxury. Unlike Friedrich, Albrecht has no desire to join the NAPOLA but is forced by his father to do so. Friedrich, strong, with the "aryan looks" stands for the "perfect" young NAPOLA man. Much like most back than, he is blinded by promises and yearlong Nazi-Propaganda, willing to "follow". On the other hand, lanky and sensible Albrecht has formed his own opinion and despises violence, the war, the NAPOLA and the whole "system" in which his father is one of the "key players". Friedrich and Albrecht, although different in- and outside soon become friends. Each seeing something in the other. As the story continues, Friedrich, associating with Albrecht slowly begins to have his doubts what the NAPOLA does and represents. The story ends with a tragedy and a triumph; Albrecht taking a final stand against his disapproving, unloving father and Friedrich (because of Albrecht) beeing able to "see the light"... Everybody, who likes WW II related movies should watch this one. It's a time in a cold, difficult, frightening and wartorn 1942 Germany and two young men caught in it... The story was wonderful and touching. Outstanding performances by Max Riemelt (Friedrich) and especially Tom Schilling (Albrecht). Absolutely a Must-see !!!

Reviewed on 2008-02-08 Watch this movie! I loved this movie. It has it's quirks, but for the most part it shows the every day lives of the teens portrayed during the WWII time period. The movie IS in German with English subtitles available. For me this was one of those movies that made me think. I liked how it showed how the Napolas were operated, and how the use of propaganda helped Hitler's quests. It's really a good movie.

Reviewed on 2007-10-30 A Riveting Film This is probably the most poignant movie I have ever watched. I view it over and over and learn something new each time. The acting is brilliant, especially as so many actors in this film are only teenagers. This by far is one of the greatest film I have ever viewed.

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