Rent Great Freedom (2021)
3.7 of 5 from 117 ratings
1h 52min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- In post-war Germany, liberation by the Allies does not mean freedom for everyone. Hans (Franz Rogowski) has been found guilty for his homosexuality, deemed grounds for imprisonment under Paragraph 175. Over the course of decades, he is spied on and repeatedly jailed as a result. As Hans returns to prison again and again, he develops an unlikely bond with his cellmate Viktor (Georg Friedrich), a convicted murderer. What begins as revulsion blossoms over time into something far more tender. 'Great Freedom' is a searing depiction of love in the face of injustice.
- Actors:
- Franz Rogowski, Georg Friedrich, Anton von Lucke, Thomas Prenn, Thomas Stecher, Alfred Hartung, Thomas Wehling, Mex Schlüpfer, David Burnell IV, Fabian Stumm, Joachim Schoenfeld, Dirk Nocker, Andreas Patton, Daniel Wagner, Lutz Bolle, Ulrich Faßnacht, Peer Maurer, Martin Walanker, Johannes Scheutz, Bernd Eischeid
- Directors:
- Sebastian Meise
- Producers:
- Benny Drechsel, Sabine Moser, Oliver Neumann
- Writers:
- Thomas Reider, Sebastian Meise
- Aka:
- Grosse Freiheit
- Studio:
- Mubi
- Genres:
- Drama, Lesbian & Gay
- Countries:
- Germany
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 06/06/2022
- Run Time:
- 116 minutes
- Languages:
- German Audio Description, German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English, English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
- Bonus:
- Q&A with Director Sebastian Meise and Franz Rogowski
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Reviews (2) of Great Freedom
A Great German Prison Film set Mainly in a prison in 1940s, 50s and late 60s. - Great Freedom review by PV
Great Freedom is a great film. Groundbreaking and illuminating.
It follows a man moved from a concentration camp in 1945, by American army in effect, to prison to complete his sentence for homosexuality - under paragraph 175, not repealed in west Germany until 1968 (not equalised with heterosexual laws until 1994); in 1968,. communist east germany scrapped the law altogether so was more liberal.
he befriends - in all ways - another prisoner, convicted for murder.
The harsh, brutal conditions in the prison through 1940s to late 50s to late 60s are well depicted. It is barely better than any concentration camp. Even in late 1960s.
There also some explicit scenes here which I am surprised got past the censor.
The end is heartbreaking in a way (no spoilers) and shows what prison can do to people.
A tad long and ponderous in parts, hence the 4 stars. But one of the best prison films I have ever seen.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Brilliant complex drama - Great Freedom review by MD
Very gritty and convincing prison drama that shows how unexpected relationships can grow in the most inhospitable conditions. The final scene shows that the freedom gained by gay men like myself is obviously welcome but not necessarily a cure all for life's big problems of belonging and building a meaningful life. Zero restrictions on your behaviour are not a substitute for structure and groundedness. Great acting across the board.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.