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Poster for The Marriage of Maria Braun

The Marriage of Maria Braun

Seen it?

1979 | 120 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

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. If you loved Schindler's List or Nuremberg, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1979: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Maria marries a young soldier in the last days of World War II, only for him to go missing in the war. She must rely on her beauty and ambition to navigate the difficult post-war years alone.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    93% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.4 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $6 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 39K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

  • Hanna SchygullaMaria Braun
  • Klaus LöwitschHermann Braun
  • Ivan DesnyKarl Oswald
  • George EaglesBill
  • Gisela UhlenMother
  • Elisabeth TrissenaarBetti Klenze
  • Gottfried JohnWilli Klenze
  • Hark BohmSenkenberg
  • Günter LamprechtHans Wetzel
  • Lilo PempeitFrau Ehmke