Introduction

The Gleiwitz Case (German: Der Fall Gleiwitz) is an East German war film directed by Gerhard Klein. It was released in 1961. Re-enacted true story of the successful assault by the Nazis, posing as Poles, on a German border radio station so that Hitler could thereby ‘justify’ his invasion of Poland.

Also known as the The Affair Gleiwitz.

Outline

The plot was reconstructed exactly according to the statements of SS-Man Alfred Naujocks before British authorities at the Nuremberg trials.

The film depicts the Gleiwitz incident from 31st August, 1939, a false flag attack on a German radio station staged by the SS. The fake attack was carried out to justify the Invasion of Poland as a defensive attack before the international community.

Cast

• Hannjo Hasse as Alfred Helmut Naujocks
• Christoph Bayertt as Franz Sitte
• Wolfgang Kalweit as Hans-Wilhelm Kraweit
• Georg Leopold as Franz Wyczorek
• Herwart Grosse as Heinrich Müller
• Rolf Ripperger as Bieratzki
• Manfred Günther as Kühnel
• Rudolf Woschiek as Tutzauer
• Hilmar Thate as Sachsenhausen inmate
• Rolf Ludwig as SS doctor
• Friedrich Richter as Jewish professor
• Günter Naumann as SS man
• Paul-Dolf Neis as SD chief in Gleiwitz
• Werner Dissel as teacher

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Gerhard Klein
• Producer(s):
• Writer(s):
  • Wolfgang Kohlhaase … (writer) (as Wolfgang Kohlhaas)
  • Günther Rücker … (writer)
  • Klaus Wischnewski … (dramatisation)
• Music:
  • Kurt Schwaen
• Cinematography:
  • Jan Curík
• Editor(s):
  • Evelyn Carow
• Production:
  • Deutsche Film (DEFA)
• Distributor(s):
  • VEB Progress Film-Vertrieb (East Germany, 1961)(theatrical)
  • Icestorm Entertainment (Germany, 2013)(DVD)
  • Icestorm International (Canada, 2000)(English subtitles, video)
  • Icestorm International (United States, 2000)(English subtitles, video)
• Release Date: 25 August 1961 (East Germany).
• Running time: 70 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG8lEp2sM_w