Lili Marleen (1981)

40% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(645 ratings)

Inspired a song that was extremely popular with the German soldiers during WW II, this fictional story begins in 1938 while Wilkie Bunterberg (Hanna Schygulla), a third-tier cabaret singer, performs in a Zurich nightclub. It is her boyfriend, a Swiss Jew who also turns out to be a resistance fighter… More Inspired a song that was extremely popular with the German soldiers during WW II, this fictional story begins in 1938 while Wilkie Bunterberg (Hanna Schygulla), a third-tier cabaret singer, performs in a Zurich nightclub. It is her boyfriend, a Swiss Jew who also turns out to be a resistance fighter who pens her the famous song Lili Marleen. She sings it in Germany and it becomes a hit with the German troops. As a result, Hitler himself invites her to perform for him. This does not set well with the songwriter's powerful who, upon learning that Marleen has become a famed singer in Germany, seek to have her barred from Switzerland. This does not stop the songwriter from loving her though and desperate to see her one last time, he sneaks into Berlin for a tryst. Unfortuantely he is arrested and she gets blacklisted. They do not see each other again until after the war. By this time, their lives have changed considerably. This is not considered among the best of Fassbinder's best films. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Written By: Lale Andersen, Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1981 Wide

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
What is new for a Fassbinder work is that the film is far more entertaining to watch than it is interesting to speculate about. That means it's a disappointment.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It has a wicked sense of humor, displayed in Fassbinder's two favorite opposites, understatement and hyperbole.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The meanings are banal and the pace is heavy, but Fassbinder's use of color -- as throughout his late period -- is superb.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Though Fassbinder's camerawork is excellent, including some allusions to the famous German studio UFA, his themes are never really developed.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's the kind of love story Hollywood wishes it could make.

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Cast

            Hanna Schygulla as Wilkie Bunterberg

            Giancarlo Giannini as Robert Mendelsson

            Mel Ferrer as David Mendelsson

            Karl-Heinz von Hassel as Henkel

            Christine Kaufmann as Miriam

            Hark Bohm as Tascher

            Karin Baal as Anna Lederer

            Udo Kier as Drewitz

            Erik Schumann as von Strehlow

            Gottfried John as Aaron

            Elisabeth Volkmann as Marika

            Barbara Valentin as Eva

            Helen Vita as Grete

            Adrian Hoven as Ginsberg

            Willy Harlander as Prosel

            Rainer Will as Bernt

            Lilo Pempeit as Tamara

            Alexander Allerson as Goedecke

            Rudolf Lenz as Dr. Glaubrecht

            Herb Andress as Reintgen

            Harry Baer as Norbert Schultze

            Franz Buchrieser as Thorne

            Peter Chatel as SA man

            Roger Fritz as Kauffmann

            Dirk Galuba as 4th SD man

            Irm Hermann as Nurse

            Brigitte Mira as Neighbor

            Sonja Neudorfer as Mrs. Buerli

            Herbert Steinmetz as Doctor

            Rainer Werner Fassbinder as Guenter Weissenborn Rainer

            Michael McLernon as Swiss officer

            Daniel Schmid as Doorman

            Raul Giménez as Blonsky

            Juergen Draeger as Journalist

            Toni Netzle as Mrs. Prosel
See full cast