Europa
Seen it?1991 | 113 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (82% 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 crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Nightmare Alley, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 53 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
In 1945 Germany, following the end of World War II, Leopold Kessler, an American of German descent, is hired by his uncle as a sleeping car conductor on the Zentropa train line. Leopold's wish is to be neutral to the ongoing purges of loyalists by Allied forces and do what he can to help a hurting country, but ultimately finds himself being used by both sides.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
1 win and 2 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 60K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lars von Trier
- Jean-Marc BarrLeopold Kessler
- Barbara SukowaKatharina Hartmann
- Udo KierLawrence Hartmann
- Ernst-Hugo JäregårdUncle Kessler
- Erik MørkPater
- Jørgen ReenbergMax Hartmann
- Henning JensenSiggy
- Eddie ConstantineColonel Harris
- Max von SydowNarrator (voice)
- Benny PoulsenSteleman