Before the Fall (Napola)

2004

Before the Fall (Napola)

Critics Consensus

Despite a degree of predictability and cliches, the high production values and sincere performances by the leads elevate this coming-of-age story set in Nazi Germany.

67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 39

84%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,725
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Movie Info

Albrecht Stein, a youth coming of age in Nazi Germany, is enrolled in the Napola political academy by his father. While being groomed for a membership in the SS, Albrecht becomes disillusioned with the Nazi ideology he at first embraced.

Cast

Max Riemelt
as Friedrich Weimer
Tom Schilling
as Albrecht Stein
Michael Schenk
as Sportlehrer
Justus von Dohnányi
as Gauleiter Heinrich Stein
Jonas Jägermeyr
as Christoph Schneider
Leon Alexander Kersten
as Tjaden
Thomas Drechsel
as Hefe
Martin Goeres
as Siegfried Gladen
Florian Stetter
as Justus von Jaucher
Devid Striesow
as Vogler
Joachim Bissmeier
as Anstaltsleiter
Claudia Michelsen
as Frau Stein
Julie Engelbrecht
as Katharina
Johannes Zirner
Gerald Alexander Held
as Friedrichs Vater
Sissy Höfferer
as Friedrichs Mutter
Max Dombrovka
Marian Schole
Jakob Semotan
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Critic Reviews for Before the Fall (Napola)

All Critics (39) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (13)

View All Critic Reviews (39)

Audience Reviews for Before the Fall (Napola)

  • Oct 17, 2010
    These are the kinds of movies that people who don't like to read sub-titles miss out on. This was a great original story set right before WWII. It's really rare to get to view the other side of the story...the side where not all Germans wanted to follow Hitler, but were forced to. It's very enlightening.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 09, 2010
    Before the Fall, another German movie about WWII, only this one showed what happened in the German Elite Nazi school for male teenagers in 1942. Students were being trained to become future SS leaders, to be ruthless, hard without feeling any pain that their actions might cause their friend, family or the enemy.The movie showed some of the students who rejected their training and the consequences of their decisions.The effort to create a perfect controlling race was the main driving force behind the story. But instead we saw humanity winning over a truly evil and brutal regime. And that was the beauty of the movie. It was told in a very simple and sensitive way, with excellent acting and beautiful cinematography.
    Daisy M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 28, 2007
    An intense Drama of powerful proportions. This is a film about ambition, conformity and above all, questioning beliefs. A film that cannot fail to make an impact on you. The style of this film was an interesting perspective, aiming the storyline at the Cadet age group, which brought forward some interesting characters and led to some interesting training scenes. A wonderful performance from Max Riemelt. This film is an instant favourite with me.
    Lady D Super Reviewer
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