The Second Awakening of Christa Klages (1978) User Reviews

Unforgettable (spoilers)

[sleepsev · 10/10 · 8 October 2001]

While the story and the acting talent of Tina Engel impress me very much, what really impresses me the most in this film is the role of the bank teller played by Katharina Thalbach (who also gives a wonderful performance in 'Engel aus Eisen.') While other characters such as Christa Klages and her friends make me feel that their actions are somehow limited by reasons or easily-explainable feelings and emotions, the role of the bank teller makes me feel very excited because her actions are somehow unpredictable and not ordinary. I could not predict surely what she would do next and how her actions would affect Christa's life. And in my second viewing of this film, though the excitement caused by unpredictability had gone, I found that I still felt captivated by this character and felt I could identify with her. What a great character!

As for Christa Klages, she really deserves to be called 'heroine.' She is not only the central character, but she is strong and can learn to confront both the society and herself. She really gives inspiration. Though she sometimes does something wrong, it's difficult to lose sympathy for her. Tina Engel is perfect for this role. She can show both the strengths and the weaknesses of Christa. Oh, and what a great voice she has!

Apart from these two roles, I'm also impressed by the title of this film, the first sentence said in the film, and the ending. The long title really drew my attention in the first place, and I find it unforgettable. The ending of this film is also unforgettable, and has a very strong impact on me. I feel as if I were Christa herself in the final scene, and everytime I think of this ending, I can still feel what Christa felt. That feeling lasts so long after the film ends.

The Second Awakening of Christa Kalges

[kindigth · 27 October 2010]

The Second Awakening of Christa Kalges is a great little film about the practical and moral implications of a righteous rebellion. The film is set against the aftermath of a bank robbery perpetrated by three well-meaning people trying to fund a kindergarten--a compelling premise well-executed. The female leads all do solid work, and the writing is subtle and intelligent, slowly revealing the ethical and emotional triggers behind the robbery. Our characters face difficulty not only in avoiding arrest but in routing the money to its proper place; a realistic view of the difficulty inherent in upsetting our systems, no matter how noble one's intentions. Ultimately though, the film is truthful not only in its realist pessimism but in the potential it illustrates for optimism as well: informed, compassionate individuals can unravel the punishing forces above us so long as we recognize our agency and choose not to participate. For its writing, its characters, and above all its ideas, The Second Awakening of Christa Kalges comes recommended highly. -TK 10/18/10

Mostly forgettable crime drama

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 3 August 2016]

"Das zweite Erwachen der Christa Klages" is a West German German-language film from 1978, so two more years and this one will have its 40th anniversary. The writer and director is Margarethe von Trotta and at this point she was still married to Volker Schlöndorff. If you know a bit about German filmmaking from the 1970s, you will easily see that the title is clearly inspired by the work of Rainer Fassbinder and maybe the film as well, to some extent. This 90-minute live action movie was awarded as one of the best films from that year (the big prize went to "Die gläserne Zelle") at the German Film Awards and it won lead actress for the fairly young Tina Engel in her 20s, the biggest triumph of her career. Still I must admit that I am not familiar at all with her today anymore and there are two cast members that are much more famous here in Germany. The first would be Katharina Thalbach ("Tin Drum") and the second would be Mariua Müller-Westernhagen, even if in his case it is mostly for his music career. The center of the film is (apart from Christa) a bank robbery that got wrong and resulted in one of the trio being arrested. The other two are searched for by the police and on the run. Will they get away? The title already tells you that, at least for Christa, a happy end may be possible. The problem is just that there is a witness and you never know what she will do or how much she knows. Will she identify the title character? Watch for yourself. Or don't as I found this a fairly forgettable movie and I cannot really share the praise this movie may have received, neither for Engel nor for the final overall outcome. It is certainly not a failure, but it is also nowhere near the best 10 or 20 films from 1970's Germany which some people may consider it to be a part of. Thumbs down from me. Not recommended. von Trotta really does not seem to be my kind of preferred filmmaker. I was underwhelmed by pretty much everything I have seen from her.

yay

[noonward · 4 June 2014]

Just how worth it is committing a crime for short term gain? Done with the best intentions, Christa Klages eventually finds that short term gains lead to devastating long term losses. A crime is still a crime regardless of pure intentions, as usually an attempt to unvictimize certain people in this way finds others being victimized. Christa and her associates are complex characters, that despite the pure honest goodness they exhibit, they still somehow had it in them to commit a powerful robbery. The camera-work is subtle but the interesting locations and angles from which the film is shot are stunning and vibrant.

At the end, we're not quite sure what to think. She's let off for her crimes but we will never know if she has ever truly learned her lesson or understands the complications that arises from a crime such as this. My first von Trotta and probably the first of many.