The Murderers Are Among Us

In this first feature film made in East Germany after WWII, a broken-down man and a hopeful woman return to a ravaged Berlin. Hans Mertens is a former doctor in the German army troubled by his part in the war; Susanne Waller is a concentration camp survivor offering her support while trying to bring a Nazi war criminal to justice. Although picture and sound quality problems are acknowledged in an opening caveat, the black-and-white visuals are only a little rough and, while a slightly audible hiss runs through the soundtrack, the electronic subtitles are highly readable. In fact, the problems here aren't technical ones--the drama is just rather laborious, in spite of the short running time. An obscure, historically valuable film like this may find an audience in a German studies course, but mainstream foreign film buffs aren't apt to be interested. Very optional. (T. Rich)