The Tunnel (3.5 out of 4)

Starring Heino Ferch and Nicolette Krebitz. Directed by Roland Suso Richter.

A terrific script and some engrossing lensing turn what is a made-for-television mini-series for German TV into one of the most fascinating movies on the screen right now. Based on a true story, Roland Suso Richter's The Tunnel tells the little-known true tale of the largest escape from East Berlin to the west in history.
It's 1961, and Communist East Germany has begun construction of the Berlin Wall which will separate the Soviet-occupied 1/4 of the city from the 3/4 occupied by the Americans, French and British. East German swimming champion Harry Melchior (Heino Ferch) - based on real-life Hasso Herschel - wants out by doesn't want to leave his beloved sister Lotte (Alexandra Maria Lara) behind. But Lotte won't risk her young daughter's life, so urges her famous brother to leave with the promise that he must get her and the niece out when possible. Once on the other side, Harry meets up with best friend Matthis (Sebastian Koch) whose own wife was left behind and jailed during his escape.
With the help of other exiles, including a love-lorn Fritzi (Nicolette Krebitz), the men begin to a dig 145-metre tunnel under the wall, a feat that takes nine months and the financial support of a film crew to complete. In the end, 29 people manage to make their way to the West.
Despite its 160-minute running time, The Tunnel moves along quickly and effortlessly, with the energetic pacing of an involving spy novel. Adding to the excitement are the exceptional performances by the principals, especially Krebitz whose solid portrayal of Melchior is both credible an endearing. Not to be missed.

Publication Date: 2003-02-09
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2336