Product Details

• Actors: Isolde Barth, Hark Bohm, Kristine De Loup, Ivan Desny, Greg Eagles
• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: English, German
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Fox Lorber
• VHS Release Date: September 24, 2002
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006FDEJ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,136 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Art House & International > European Cinema > Germany

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hanna Schygulla was a true star in this remarkable, semi-allegorical drama by Rainer Werner Fassbinder about a woman whose new marriage soon becomes a long history of waiting for reunification with her husband as he goes off to war, gets lost on the Russian front, ends up in prison, and goes to America. Meanwhile, the phantom marriage suspends the title character in a destiny that leads to power and wealth while still anticipating his return. One of several cinematic metaphors by Fassbinder for the identity and experience of post-war Germany, this 1978 film looks more than ever like a masterpiece. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fassbinder's Best Film, May 17, 2003

By	Roger Kennedy - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Without a doubt this is Fassbinder's best film. Many of his others are too whacked or just have poor acting and plot, but with this one he was on target. This movie provides a shattering view of what it was like for a woman in post war Germany. Often we have seen movies that show what it was like in occupied europe during or after the war, but few movies have provided what the German civilian experience was like.

Fassbinder provides his usual chaotic and striking images, which can sometimes be a little odd and weird, but work well here. From the nutty marriage in the beginning to the final tragic end, this movie provides a tour-de-force of what the ruin and devastation of the war was like for Germany and its people.

Hanna Schygulla is an impressive and sexy actress! Her forward style combined with her good looks makes for a fascinating combination. She lights up every scene in this movie. There are some controversial moments in this film, which considering that it was done in the 1970s are pretty avant-garde. Interracial activities may be considered standard now in US movies, but 30 years ago this was very much a taboo subject. While this only comprises a small segment of the film, we can see that Fassbinder loved to deal with this kind of forbidden fruit.

There is probably a lot of German cinematic technique that I am glossing over, which a film student would go ape over. I see the movie as a social-historical epic and thus my perspective is different. On many different levels this movie has interest, but I think its portrayal of the human cost of the Second World War on the German pysche is the most revealing. Even though a people may survive a devastating conflict, the emotional scars can linger for generations. Germany is still not a complete country pyschologically today because of the legacy of Hitler and the war, even with recent unification. Hence what appears on the surface to be Germany's almost bizarre aversion toward any kind of war today, even if justified. Those who have seen holocaust films like "Schlinder's List" should compare this film to see the other side of the coin (If they can). It might certainly prove educational. You won't see this kind of movie being made in Hollywood, ever!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MASTERPIECE, October 19, 2000

By	M. J. Holmes (Santa Ana, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Marriage of Maria Braun [VHS] (VHS Tape)

An utterly shattering experience, unlike anything you have ever seen before. Fassbinder was a master of the cinematic medium, creating vibrant characters, brilliant dialogue and unforgettable images. Incredible in every way, with Hanna Schygulla in one of her best performances.If you truly love great cinema, you must see this film.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb cult movie!, March 14, 2005

By	Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Marriage of Maria Braun [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film consolidated in all the world to Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Even he had a huge number of avid viewers who knew about him by other titles. This picture became the First German Film really commercial all over the world. Hanna Schygulla shone as a real Super Nova with this complex , intelligent and crude tale.

Fassbinder interweaved a web which linked almost fifteen years of live story through the eyes of a loyal woman whom suddenly after she marries, his husband is requested to participate in the War. From that day she will wait for him, day after day until she decides to make a breakthrough with the life when the hunger and the misery slowly will surround her whole family.

The rest of the story runs for you. Magnificent script, an anthological ending who still is shocking. Indeed this was film of the famous Trilogy with Lola and Veronika Voss.

The sudden death of Fassbinder in 1982, left the German Cinema literally orphan and his place still keeps empty.

The marriage that only elapsed a day and all night long.