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Cast
Dietmar Mues
as Hans Peter Footh, Reeder
Barbara Nüsse
as Annette Koldewey
Ulrich Matschoss
as Dr. Koldewey, Gefängnisdirektor
Roland Schäfer
as Schlachter Teetjen
Edgar Hoppe
as Herr Lehmke
Burghart Klaußner
as Laberdan, Wünschelrutengänger
Christa Siems
as Doligkeit
Gisela Trowe
as Kostümverleiherin
Vera Tschechowa
as Fräulein Blüthe
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1982
Runtime2h 29m
LanguageGerman
CertificationNR
GenresTV Movie, Drama, War
Votes1
DirectorHorst Königstein
WritersHorst Königstein, Heinrich Breloer
TypeFeature Film
Rating8.0 out of 10
Cast9 credited
Also Known AsThe Axe of Wandsbek
About The Axe of Wandsbek
1934, Hamburg. Adolf Hitler is about to visit the city. Hamburg's executioner falls ill, and is unable to deliver the sentence of four communists who are awaiting capital punishment in jail. Fearing that this would spoil Hitler's visit, SS leader Footh offers a local bankrupt butcher, Albert Teetjen, 2,000 Marks in order to carry out the verdict. The broke Teetjen agrees and follows suit. When his neighbors hear of the execution, they shun him. His wife cannot tolerate her husband's deed and puts an end to her life. Eventually, Teetjen also commits suicide.
Directed by Horst Königstein, The Axe of Wandsbek leans on a strong ensemble — Dietmar Mues, Barbara Nüsse, Ulrich Matschoss — 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 tv movie titles of 1982.
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