Schicksalsjahre (2011)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schicksalsjahre - Eine deutsche Familiengeschichte is a German historical drama (in two parts) which premiered on German television (ZDF) in 2011.

 

It is based on a true story: the history of the Heye family, with special focus on Ursula Heye (born Engler).

 

Here is some basic information about this drama:

 

** English title: Shades of Happiness

** Directed by Miguel Alexandre

** Screenplay written by Thomas Kirchner

** Based on a book by Uwe-Karsten Heye

** Historical advisors: Dr Winfried Heinemann and Dr Jens Hüttmann

** Language: German – no English subtitles!

** Released on DVD in 2016

** Run time: 100 + 93 minutes = 193 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

The first group

** Maria Furtwängler as Ursula “Ursel” Heye (born Engler)

** Pasquale Aleardi as Wolfgang Heye – Ursula’s husband

** Benjamin Trinks as Uwe-Karsten Heye – Ursula and Wolfgang’s son

** Nicole Marischka as Hilde – Ursula’s friend

** Dorka Gryllis as Norah Kellermann – Ursula’s friend

** Rosel Zech as Martha Engler – Ursula’s mother

** Günther Maria Halmer as Franz Engler – Ursula’s father

** Wanja Mues as Hans Engler – Ursula’s brother

** Petra Kelling as Anni – Ursula’s aunt

 

The second group

** Heikko Deutschmann as Heinrich Nolde – Wolfgang’s friend

** Michael Gwisdek as Siggi – the owner of a cabaret

** Hansa Czypionka as Konrad Kant – a meteorologist

** Merab Ninidze as Niklas Psathos – a soldier

 

Uwe-Karsten Heye was born in 1940. His sister Barbara, aka Berbel, was born one year before, in 1939. As an adult, Uwe-Karsten became a journalist.

 

For five years (1974-1979) he was a speechwriter for the German politician Willy Brandt, who was first the mayor of West Berlin and later the Chancellor (prime minister) of West Germany.

 

In 2004, Uwe-Kartsten published his memoirs, the history of his family, in which his mother plays an important role.

 

The title is Vom Glück nur ein Schatten. This drama is based on this book. Here is a brief presentation:

 

The story begins in Mainz, West Germany, in 1957. We see Ursula as she receives an important phone call. From this point we go back in time, back to 1938, when Ursula and Wolfgang meet each other in Berlin.

 

He is a singer in a cabaret, who dreams of becoming an opera singer. She is a secretary, who can play the piano very well. From this point the story moves forward, step by step.

 

We follow Ursula and Wolfgang as they fall in love, get married and have two children, Barbara and Uwe. It is a loving family, but the family’s happiness is not allowed to continue.

 

World War II begins in 1939 and nothing will ever be the same as before. Wolfgang must join the army, even though he does not support the government, while Ursula and the children join her parents in Danzig, which is supposed to be a safe place for them.

 

From this point the story moves forward - step by step - until we reach the starting point (1957) again.

 

From 1957, the story continues to an important event in the life of the family. I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone. I am not going to say more than this.

 

What do reviewers say about this drama?

 

Here are some results:

 

On IMDb it has a rating of 69 percent.

 

On Amazon Germany there are at the moment 297 ratings of this product; 63 with reviews.

 

The average rating is 4.5 stars which corresponds to a rating of 90 percent.

 

If you ask me, the rating on IMDb is too low, while the rating on Amazon is more appropriate.

 

Why?

 

I have four reasons:

 

# 1. The script is well-written

# 2. The actors play their roles well

# 3. The story is captivating, dramatic, and often highly emotional

# 4. The drama is based on a true story

 

If you are interested in the modern history of Europe - in particular the history of Germany - this drama is definitely something for you.

 

It is highly recommended.

 

PS # 1. Schicksalsjahre – Die Dokumentation is a documentary film which premiered on German television (ZDF) in 2011, after the first part of the drama.

 

This film contains interviews with Uwe-Karsten, with his sister Barbara, and with other observers. Run time: 45 minutes. As far as I know, it is not available online.

 

PS # 2. Pasquale Aleardi, who is a Swiss actor, has appeared in several television movies, including the mini-series Gotthard which premiered in 2016.

 

PS # 3. Miguel Alexandre is the director of several television movies, including Die Frau vom Checkpoint Charlie (2007) and Die Spionin (2013).

 

*****

Vom Glück nur ein Schatten:

Eine deutsche Familiengeschichte

By Uwe-Karsten Heye

(2004)

 

*****