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Poster for At a French Fireside

At a French Fireside

Seen it?

1962 | 99 min | Drama

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 39 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1962: an older pace and style.

Bundeswehr soldier Klaus’ regiment is stationed in France, to take part in NATO maneuvers. The soldiers are ordered to be kind to the populace, since the West German High Command wishes the French to forget the atrocities that were committed during the Second World War. Klaus falls in love with Jeanne, the daughter of the local mayor. He discovers that his commanders intend to demolish the ruins of a local church, in which civilians were murdered by the German occupation forces at 1944. A local journalist who researches the event discovers that West German General Rucker ordered the massacre, but he is mysteriously murdered. Klaus defies his commanding officer Siebert, who instructs him to steal the documents indicting Rucker, and hands the evidence over to Jeanne.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 255 people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Kurt Maetzig

  • Angelica DomröseJeanne
  • Arno WyzniewskiKlaus Wetzlaff
  • Hannjo HasseMajor Siebert
  • Harry HindemithBourguignon
  • Günther SimonGeneral Rucker
  • Evelyn CronGeorgette
  • Marianne WünscherMariette
  • Gerry WolffGerard
  • Gerd BiewerMoulinier
  • Horst JonischkanMüller