Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Signs of Life

Name: Signs of Life
Genre: Drama, War
Released: 1968-07-05
Cast: Peter Brogle, Wolfgang Reichmann, Athina Zacharopoulou, Wolfgang von Ungern-Sternberg, Wolfgang Stumpf

1968 | 91 min | Drama, War

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for history buffs. If you loved All Quiet on the Western Front or Paths of Glory, start here.
The mood: Intense.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 31 min.
What might put you off: It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Made in 1968: an older pace and style.

During World War II, three German soldiers are withdrawn from combat when one of them, Stroszek, is wounded. They are assigned to a small coastal community on the Greek island of Kos while Stroszek recuperates. The men become increasingly stir crazy in their uneventful new assignment. Stroszek eventually goes mad.

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsBelow par
Won 1 Berlin award: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize. Plus 1 other award.
Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 25K people sought it out in the past year

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Werner Herzog

Peter BrogleStroszek
Wolfgang ReichmannMeinhard
Athina ZacharopoulouNora
Wolfgang von Ungern-SternbergBecker
Wolfgang StumpfCaptain
Henry van LyckLieutenant
Julio PinheiroGypsy
Florian FrickePianist
Heinz UsenerDoctor
Achmed HafizGreek resident