Rene Deltgen Movies

Five more short comedy pieces from Germany's popular television program. Only available in German. ~ All Movie Guide

Originally made for German television, this film chronicles obsessions of a man who will do almost anything to avoid losing a chess game. Thomas Rosenmund (Bruno Ganz) learns how to play chess by watching his father in a friendly game with a neighbor. His competitiveness is keyed to such a high pitch that a series of close calls in matches precipitates a nervous breakdown and he swears off the game. Instead, he turns his skills to computers. When his company calls on him to be part of a team which is pitting a computer's chess skills against the world champion of chess, he takes it personally when the computer loses. Fired by "his" humiliation, he vows to earn the right to take on the champion himself -- and does. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

An idealistic young doctor (Tadeusz Lomnicki) takes a job at a woman's hospital in this routine medical drama. He loses his confidence and questions whether the medical field is right for him before a series of interactions between patients and their families restores his faith and dedication to heal the afflicted. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

This unrealistic, routine drama is the second half of a story that began with Der Tiger von Eschnapur. This sequel was later cut slightly, combined with the first story then released in English as Journey to the Lost City. Both halves were written by Thea von Harbou and the 1959 films are both directed by Fritz Lang, von Harbou's former husband. In this continuation, Seetha (Debra Paget) and the architect Harald (Paul Hubschmid) have fallen in love. The biggest stumbling block to their romance is Chandra, the Maharaja of Eshnapur (Walther Reyer). He wants Seetha for himself. Because of that, the lovers fled from Eshnapur and are now being hunted by the Maharaja's henchmen. That leads to inevitable killings, cruelties, and inhuman conduct until the Maharaja himself is the only one left who can right the situation. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This is the third and least successful version of screenwriter Thea von Harbou's original story, Das Indische Grabmal, written around 1919. Her ex-husband, Fritz Lang directs this routine, outdated drama about an exotic dancer named Seetha (Debra Paget) who is hired by Chandra (Walther Reyer), an Indian maharaja. Chandra is having problems keeping his domain in order and his subjects are on the verge of rebellion. To make matters worse, Seetha is not interested in him but in Harald Berger (Paul Hubschmid), an architect. Harald is there to construct colonial-style architecture, but between the rebellious peasants and the Maharaja, he and Seetha have dim prospects for a future here. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This war drama is based on actual events from World War II. The Nazis invade the Netherlands and capture an important British agent who relays daily messages from Amsterdam to London. When the Germans continue to send these messages (unknown to the British), it creates havoc for the British and Dutch underground. Many agents are captured or killed, and the British must smuggle a female agent into Amsterdam to access the troubled situation. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Future film and TV director Ivan Desny stars in the German melodrama No Way Back. Desny plays Mischa, a Russian officer who is one of thousands of troops pouring into Berlin at the end of WW II. During the Soviet occupation of the German capitol, Mischa falls in love with local girl Anna (Ruth Niehaus). When he is called back to Russia, Mischa loses contact with the girl. Seven years later, he returns to Berlin, searching for the elusive Anna. His quest leads to a number of life-threatening situations for both parties, fomented by the political intrigues of the postwar era. The winner of the German equivalent of the Academy Award, No Way Back was originally released as Weg Ohne Umkehr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Nacthwache (Keepers of the Night) was filmed on location in the Western Zone of Berlin. The scene is a religious hospital, where Pastor Heger (Hans Nielsen) constantly crosses swords with agnostic resident doctor Cornelia (Luise Ullrich). Despite their ideological differences, Heger falls in love with Cornelia, but she does not reciprocate. Before the film has faded from view, Heger suffers a crisis of faith when his daughter is killed in an accident. His reason for living is renewed when he rescues a would-be suicide. Nachtwache was the winner of the Golden Laurel Award at the Cannes Film Festival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide