The Marriage of Maria Braun Film Difficulty Ranking: 2
Do you want to see a great German film that resembles a Hollywood great? Here’s Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s most accessible film. It’s the story of Maria Braun, the German ‘American dream’. She lives the rags to riches story, but in typical Fassbinder fashion, she carries a lot of baggage. For a introduction to Fassbinder, this one is perfect. Then, follow it up with Ali: Fear Eats the Soul.
Why Watch The Marriage of Maria Braun?
- For a German film that appeals to anyone used to watching Hollywood dramas
- It’s a perfect gateway into Rainer Werner Fassbinder films (he’s one of the most renowned German directors)
- To experience post-war Germany through Maria Braun (she’s an allegory for the countries ups and downs)
- Or, you just want to watch a long, immersive, classic drama
The Breakdown
“Do you, Hermann Braun take this woman for this lawfully wedded wife”
As Maria and Hermann get married, a bomb drops on their ceremony, shattering the glass of all the windows and leaving a gaping hole in the ceiling. Their wedding papers fly out the window. Before the vicar can run for safety, the couple grab him and they all fall to the ground on the marriage document. As more bombs drop and the buildings around them start falling down, they sign their marriage with the scared vicar as witness.
The manic introduction continues throughout the film. It is a tremendous roller coaster ride! Maria is the crazy woman who takes centre stage for the film. At times she is the ‘American dream’ as she makes her own opportunities and success. However, she is also an allegory for the plight of post-war Germany so make sure you pay attention! For example, she is supported by America and later finds success with a united Europe whilst her husband is lost in Russia (East Germany).
In addition to the allegories, listen out for some scenes which use sound to eke out even more emotion. One example of this is obvious when Maria goes to the train station for the last time wearing her ‘Have you seen Hermann Braun’ sign. In this scene, the background noise of the crowds of people fade and the sound of the steam train gets louder. All you hear is the steady spurting of the steam: on, off, on, off. At this time, Maria looks at the fence covered in posters of missing soldiers and hopelessly at the train. The sound enhances her despair as she realises she will never see her husband again.
Conclusion
The Marriage of Maria Braun is an incredible portrait of a strong woman who makes her own success against the odds. She is Germany’s melancholic heroine, at times an epitome of the American dream. However, whilst this film is Fassbinder’s most Hollywood film, it mirrors the fate of post-war Germany. Go watch some Fassbinder!
For more Fassbinder, we highly recommend Ali: Fear Eats the Soul. For another great
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