Night Crossing (1982)

 

Two men plan to escape from communist East Germany in a hot air balloon, but only if they can take their families with them.

From memory: Despite a good cast, this run-of-the-mill adventure film annoys as a typical Cold War propaganda piece full of cliches about the then communist East Germany.

Halliwell (no star): "Well-meaning melodrama which sadly lacks plot development and suspense, anns is also rather miserable to look at."

Maltin**1/2: "Unexceptional though well-cast and not unexciting tale..." 

 

Die Ehe der Maria Braun (1979)

A World War II widow seeks to adjust to life in postwar Germany.

From memory: Excellently produced  movie mirrors post-war Germany and its immorality in the fate of a singular woman; good to look at on the screen and a great vehicle to showcase Hanna Schygulla's talent.

Halliwell*: "A mixture of solemnity and irony which keeps its basic points well concealed but, despite a sometimes flagging pace, more or less consistently entertains the eye."

Maltin***1/2: "Schygulla shines in the Joan Crawfordesque role...Riveting..."