Die Nacht von Lissabon

After fleeing from Nazi Germany, Josef and Helen Schwarz arrive in Portugal's capital in 1942, where a ship to America awaits them. But on the evening before the ship departs, Helen dies in the hotel. She had concealed the cancer from her husband so as not to burden their last days together. Deeply affected and disillusioned, Josef is drawn to the port of Lisbon. There he meets a penniless exile to whom he is willing to give the ship's tickets and visas, which have now become worthless to him, if he accompanies him that night and listens to his story.

Directed by Zbyněk Brynych, Die Nacht von Lissabon leans on a strong ensemble — Martin Benrath, Erika Pluhar, Horst Frank — 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 drama titles of 1971.