Der Brief

On February 17, 1945, Oliver Würffell’s great-grandfather Friedrich wrote a letter to his fleeing family, one hour before he was executed by the Nazis for refusing to serve in the military. This is Friedrich’s farewell, as recounted by his son-in-law Ernst.

Directed by Oliver Würffell, Der Brief leans on a strong ensemble — Martin Ontrop, Lars Krone, Jan Fassbender — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 0.