SEVEN MINUTES

West Germany, 1989, 91 minutes, Colour.
Klaus Maria Brandauer, Rebecca Miller, Brian Dennehy.
Directed by Klaus Maria Brandauer.

Seven Minutes is the story of an assassination attempt on Hitler in Munich in 1938. The film was directed by actor Klaus Maria Brandauer (Mephisto, Hannussen, Out of Africa). He also starts as the artisan who plans the attempt on Hitler's life. Brian Dennehy has a token role as the head of security in Munich.

The film focuses on the artisan himself, his lonely life, his preparation for the attempt for a bombing of a beer hall where Hitler will speak. There is a romantic interlude. However, the film sounds more interesting on paper than it is in actuality. Stylishly presented, it seems more of a series of episodes rather than the building up of tension towards the assassination attempt and its failure by seven minutes.

1. Audience interest in Hitler's Germany? Assassination attempts? World War Two? In retrospect?

2. The re-creation of the period, Munich, the beer hall, the quarries, the streets and homes? The songs and the musical score?

3. The title, the assassination attempt - and the irony of Hitler's departure?

4. The presentation of security in Munich, comment on the origins of Hitler's movement in Munich? The security officer, his staff? Loyalties? The assassination attempt, the vetting of the beer hall, the discovery of the plan - and the victims of the explosion?

5. The picture of Georg: his story, the plan to kill Hitler? His methodical preparation of his plot: being locked into the beer hall, taking photos, continued visits and drinking, observation? His home, the Jewish family being taken? His being given the cellar, using it for his work, during the night? The explosives and his stealing them - and his shrewd manoeuvres to get them back to his house? The accident with the bike and being picked up by the authorities? The setting up of the beer hall? His shrewdness and patience?

6. His friendship with Anneliese, her work in the beer hall, her boss? Their going out, enjoying each other's company? The sexual relationship? Her being chosen to bring the water for Hitler? His having to get her out of the beer house?

7. The period, German loyalties, expressions of loyalty and understanding how Hitler had transformed the people? The crowds, the individuals? Denunciations of Jews? Hitler's speeches - and the glimpses of Hitler, especially his hand? The beginnings of the war, battles in Poland? The fanaticism of the period?

8. The build-up to the assassination attempt, the officials and the danger? Georg and his nerve, the execution of the plot, taking Anneliese away? Going to the train?

9. The head of security, the discovery, the pursuit - the chase in the rail yards, Georg's arrest?

10. The aftermath with his prison term in Dachau, the plan for the show trial, his being executed just before liberation?