Most cineastes have seen 'Grand Hotel' (1932) at least once, if only because of Greta Garbo. It was based on the play and novel 'Menschen im Hotel' by Vicki Baum, whose novels were the basis for numerous Hollywood movies, and who was a best-selling novelist in several languages. Here we see a highly complex ensemble drama set in a hotel again, but this time the action takes place in Berlin just as the Second World War is ending and the Nazi regime is falling apart. The film is well directed by Peter Godfrey, and contains some wonderful performances, one of the best being by Raymond Massey as a German general of the old school, who had been involved in one of the plots to kill Hitler which failed. He sports a monocle with applomb but never over-plays, and portrays the man with distinction and impeccable judgement. Henry Daniell as a keen Gestapo officer also does not over-play, and the restraint he shows is admirable, as Gestapo officers are such obvious targets for over-acting. The numerous dramas and sub-plots in this highly complex film are all satisfactory and convincing. The film has a tremendous dynamism as a multiple-drama, we are swept away by the dilemmas of all the characters, both noble and ignoble, and it all works. This must rank as one of the most successful wartime film dramas, and it is all about people, real people this time rather than cardboard cutouts. This film should be more widely known.
Review of Hotel Berlin
