Der Stern von Afrika
Encyclopedia
Der Stern von Afrika is a 1957
black-and-white
German war film portraying the combat career of Luftwaffe
World War II
fighter pilot
Hans-Joachim Marseille
. It stars Joachim Hansen
and Marianne Koch
and was directed by Alfred Weidenmann
. The film was premièred on 13 August 1957 in Berlin and was very successful at the German box office
, although the film critics predominantly gave it a fair rating.
and ensign Jochen Marseille is located at a Luftwaffe (Air Force) Kriegsschule
(War School) in Berlin, where he makes a negative impression on his superiors with daredevil stunts and undisciplined behavior. His friend and comrade, Robert Franke, helps spare him from severe punishment. His squadron moves to France after the outbreak of World War II. During the Battle of Britain
, Marseille experiences the brutality of war for the first time when Franke is shot down over the English Channel
and is missing in action
for a short time. But after his comrade's return, Marseille is back to a carefree world of flying. A thoughtful conversation in a bar while playing a game of billiards with an elderly French civilian affects him and his fellow pilots only briefly. A short time later, his unit is transferred to the Africa Corps in the North African Theater of Operations. Marseille, thanks to his outstanding flying skill and talent, quickly becomes the most successful fighter pilot.
As his combat time in Africa lengthens, Marseille loses more and more comrades to the Desert Air Force
. In particular, the death of the inexperienced young Sergeant Klein on his first aerial combat sortie and a conversation with the search-and-rescue officer Krusenberg cast doubt on the usefulness of his operations. After achieving his 100th aerial victory, Marseille is ordered to Berlin, where he is awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
. After a propaganda event at his former school, he meets the mathematics teacher, Brigitte, and falls in love with her. He takes her with him to Rome after he receives an invitation from the Italian High Command to receive the Gold Medal of Military Valor
. The two of them spend a few carefree and happy days in Italy. The distraught Brigitte tries to persuade him to defect, but out of a sense of duty, he returns to his squadron in North Africa.
In North Africa, the intensity of aerial combat continues. During a reconnaissance flight over Egypt, his aircraft suffers an engine failure and only with difficulty does Marseille manage to return to German-controlled airspace. He bails out as the aircraft crashes, but his parachute does not open. His body is later found in the desert. Brigitte receives the news of his death while teaching a class and collapses.
, the former Geschwaderkommodore
(wing commander) of Jagdgeschwader 27
(27th fighter wing) and commanding officer of Marseille, served as a technical advisor on the film.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109
s shown in the film were H.A. 1112 "Buchóns"
, a Spanish license-built variant of the Bf 109, made available by the Spanish Air Force
. This same type of aircraft also starred twelve years later in the well-known movie Battle of Britain
in the same role.
1957 in film
The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:...
black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
German war film portraying the combat career of Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
Hans-Joachim Marseille
Hans-Joachim Marseille
Hans-Joachim Marseille was a Luftwaffe fighter pilot and flying ace during World War II. He is noted for his aerial battles during the North African Campaign and his bohemian lifestyle. One of the best fighter pilots of World War II, he was nicknamed the "Star of Africa"...
. It stars Joachim Hansen
Joachim Hansen (actor)
Joachim Hansen was a German actor. He was best known for film roles in the 1960s and 1970s where he was often cast in roles portraying Nazi officers and World War II German officials....
and Marianne Koch
Marianne Koch
Marianne Koch is a retired German actress of the 1950s and 1960s, best known for her appearances in spaghetti westerns and adventure films of the 1960s. She later worked as a television host and as a physician....
and was directed by Alfred Weidenmann
Alfred Weidenmann
Alfred Weidenmann was a German film director and screenwriter. He directed 36 films between 1942 and 1984.-Selected filmography:* Der Stern von Afrika * Sacred Waters * Adorable Julia...
. The film was premièred on 13 August 1957 in Berlin and was very successful at the German box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
, although the film critics predominantly gave it a fair rating.
Plot
The film begins shortly before the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and ensign Jochen Marseille is located at a Luftwaffe (Air Force) Kriegsschule
Kriegsschule
Kriegsschule can refer to:* Kriegsschule , military academies used by the Wehrmacht for training officers until 1945...
(War School) in Berlin, where he makes a negative impression on his superiors with daredevil stunts and undisciplined behavior. His friend and comrade, Robert Franke, helps spare him from severe punishment. His squadron moves to France after the outbreak of World War II. During the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
, Marseille experiences the brutality of war for the first time when Franke is shot down over the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
and is missing in action
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
for a short time. But after his comrade's return, Marseille is back to a carefree world of flying. A thoughtful conversation in a bar while playing a game of billiards with an elderly French civilian affects him and his fellow pilots only briefly. A short time later, his unit is transferred to the Africa Corps in the North African Theater of Operations. Marseille, thanks to his outstanding flying skill and talent, quickly becomes the most successful fighter pilot.
As his combat time in Africa lengthens, Marseille loses more and more comrades to the Desert Air Force
Desert Air Force
The Desert Air Force , also known chronologically as Air Headquarters Western Desert, Air Headquarters Libya, AHQ Western Desert, the Western Desert Air Force, Desert Air Force, and the First Tactical Air Force , was an Allied tactical air force initially created from No...
. In particular, the death of the inexperienced young Sergeant Klein on his first aerial combat sortie and a conversation with the search-and-rescue officer Krusenberg cast doubt on the usefulness of his operations. After achieving his 100th aerial victory, Marseille is ordered to Berlin, where he is awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
. After a propaganda event at his former school, he meets the mathematics teacher, Brigitte, and falls in love with her. He takes her with him to Rome after he receives an invitation from the Italian High Command to receive the Gold Medal of Military Valor
Gold Medal of Military Valor
The Gold Medal of Military Valor is an Italian medal established on 21 May 1793 by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia "....per bassi ufficiali e soldati che avevano fatto azioni di segnalato valore in guerra" .The face of the medal displayed the profile of the king, and on its reverse was a flag...
. The two of them spend a few carefree and happy days in Italy. The distraught Brigitte tries to persuade him to defect, but out of a sense of duty, he returns to his squadron in North Africa.
In North Africa, the intensity of aerial combat continues. During a reconnaissance flight over Egypt, his aircraft suffers an engine failure and only with difficulty does Marseille manage to return to German-controlled airspace. He bails out as the aircraft crashes, but his parachute does not open. His body is later found in the desert. Brigitte receives the news of his death while teaching a class and collapses.
Historical accuracy
Eduard NeumannEduard Neumann
Eduard 'Edu' Neumann was a German Luftwaffe Officer and commanded the famous Jagdgeschwader 27 ‘Afrika’ during the North African Campaign from 1941 to 1943.-Early life:...
, the former Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore
Geschwaderkommodore is a Luftwaffe position , originating during World War II, that is the equivalent of a RAF Group Commander or USAF Wing Commander. A Geschwaderkommodore is usually of Oberstleutnant or Oberst rank...
(wing commander) of Jagdgeschwader 27
Jagdgeschwader 27
Jagdgeschwader 27 Afrika was a World War II Luftwaffe Geschwader. It was most famous for service in the North African Campaign, supporting the Deutsches Afrikakorps.- Formation:...
(27th fighter wing) and commanding officer of Marseille, served as a technical advisor on the film.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
s shown in the film were H.A. 1112 "Buchóns"
Hispano Aviacion Ha 1112
|-References:* Original pictures and data of this article were taken from Museo del Aire, Cuatro Vientos, Madrid, Spain* Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed...
, a Spanish license-built variant of the Bf 109, made available by the Spanish Air Force
Spanish Air Force
-The early stages:Hot air balloons had been used with military purposes in Spain as far back as 1896. In 1905, with the help of Alfredo Kindelán, Leonardo Torres y Quevedo directed the construction of the first Spanish dirigible in the Army Military Aerostatics Service, created in 1896 and located...
. This same type of aircraft also starred twelve years later in the well-known movie Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain (film)
Battle of Britain is a 1969 Technicolor film directed by Guy Hamilton, and produced by Harry Saltzman and S. Benjamin Fisz. The film broadly relates the events of the Battle of Britain...
in the same role.
Cast
- Joachim HansenJoachim Hansen (actor)Joachim Hansen was a German actor. He was best known for film roles in the 1960s and 1970s where he was often cast in roles portraying Nazi officers and World War II German officials....
as Hans-Joachim "Jochen" Marseille - Marianne KochMarianne KochMarianne Koch is a retired German actress of the 1950s and 1960s, best known for her appearances in spaghetti westerns and adventure films of the 1960s. She later worked as a television host and as a physician....
as Brigitte - Hansjörg FelmyHansjörg FelmyHansjörg Felmy was a German actor. He appeared in 50 films and television shows between 1957 and 1995. He starred in the film The Marriage of Mr. Mississippi, which was entered into the 11th Berlin International Film Festival...
as Robert Franke - Horst FrankHorst FrankHorst Frank was a German film actor. He appeared in over 100 films between 1955 and 1999. He was born in Lübeck, Germany and died in Heidelberg, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Der Stern von Afrika...
as Albin Droste - Peer SchmidtPeer SchmidtPeer Eugen Georg Schmidt was a German actor and voice actor. He is best known as the German voice of Gérard Philipe, Marlon Brando and Jean-Paul Belmondo.-Filmography:-References:...
as Answald Sommer - Lore Hartling as Marianne Franke
- Carl LangeCarl LangeCarl Georg Lange was a Danish physician and psychologist. He and William James independently developed the James-Lange theory of emotion, which posits that all emotions are developed from, and can be reduced to, physiological reactions to stimuli. Unlike James, Lange specifically stated that...
as Hauptmann Krusenberg - Werner Bruhns as Werner Heydenreich
- Alexander KerstAlexander KerstAlexander Kerst was an Austrian television actor.He was born in Kralupy nad Vltavou, Czech Republic and died in Munich, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Der Stern von Afrika...
as Major Niemeyer - Albert Hehn as Major Schliemann
- Johannes Grossmann as Unteroffizier Weiss
- Gisela von Collandeas as Marseilles mother
- Arno Paulsen as Marseille father
- Christian DoermerChristian DoermerChristian Doermer is a German actor. He has appeared in 83 films and television shows since 1954. He starred in the 1966 film No Shooting Time for Foxes. The film was entered into the 16th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize...
as Unteroffizier Klein - Siegfried SchürenbergSiegfried SchürenbergSiegfried Schürenberg was a German film actor. He appeared in 83 films between 1933 and 1974. He was born in Detmold, Germany and died in Berlin, Germany...
as the direcor of the school - Erich Ponto as the French billiard player
- Roberto BlancoRoberto BlancoRoberto Blanco , was born 7 June 1937 in Tunis, Tunisia. Of Afro-Cuban origin, Blanco is a German-speaking Schlager singer and actor.-Early life:...
as Mathias