Lili Marleen (1981)

Lili Marleen Movie Poster Country West Germany Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder Release Date January 14, 1981 Language English German Studio Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) CIP Filmproduktion GmbH Rialto Film Roxy Films Distributor Tobis Main Cast Character Actor Willie Bunterberg Hanna Schygulla Robert Mendelsson Giancarlo Giannini David Mendelsson Mel Ferrer Roman Henkel Karl-Heinz von Hassel Joachim von Strehlow Erik Schumann Hugo Taschner Hark Bohm Aaron Nolte Gottfried John

Lili Marleen is a 1981 film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder (World on a Wire). The screenplay was written using the novel Heaven Has Many Colors by Lale Andersen. However, according to Lale Andersen's last husband Artur Beul, the film plot has not much in common with her real life. Zurich, 1938: The love between the German bar singer Willie Bunterberg and Robert Mendelsohn, the son of rich Jewish parents, is not under a good star from the beginning. The persecution of the Jews in Germany takes on ever more terrible proportions and a wartime mood prevails everywhere. Robert's father is also against their relationship and sees to it that Willie is deported to their homeland. In Germany, their song "Lili Marleen" is broadcast on the radio and immediately becomes a hit. Willie becomes a star overnight. While she is increasingly involved in Nazi propaganda campaigns, Robert is arrested by the Gestapo. With secret documents about extermination camps, which Willie smuggles out of Poland, she now tries to save Robert's life.

There is a 1950 British movie named Lilli Marlene with a completely different plot.

The following weapons were used in the film Lili Marleen:

Pistols

Luger P08

SS-Gruppenführer (Major General) Henkel (Karl-Heinz von Hassel) keeps a Luger P08 in his holster.

Luger P08 with black grips - 9x19mm

The bottom of the grip can be seen. Also note the collar insignia which matches an SS-Brigadeführer (Brigadier General); one rank below the called rank in the movie. However, the shoulder insignia is correct.

Another view of the holstered Luger.

Unknwon Pistol

An unknown pistol is seen in SS-Standartenführer (Colonel) von Strehlow's (Erik Schumann) holster.

The pistol's grip is seen in his holster. His shoulder insignia is one of an SS-Sturmbannführer (Major); two ranks lower of the Standartenführer.

Submachine Guns

MP40

Some MP40s are carried by German soldiers.

Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm

A soldier guarding a camp with his MP40.

Robert Mendelsson (Giancarlo Giannini) looks at a Gestapo man pointing an MP40 at him.

Erma EMP 35

At least, one German soldier wields an Erma EMP.

Erma EMP (Erma EMP 35) - 9x19mm

The soldier escorts Robert to the bridge meeting.

Sten Mk. II

The henchmen of David Mendelsson (Mel Ferrer) hold Sten Mk II submachine guns.

Sten Mark II (Canadian) - 9x19mm

An agent holds his Sten.

The Canadian stock of the Sten held by the right agent is seen.

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

Most of the German soldiers including Bernt (Rainer Will) and Hugo Taschner (Hark Bohm) are armed with Karabiner 98ks.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The slung Kar98k of Obergefreiter (Corporal) Lederer (uncredited).

German soldiers in a trench with Karabiners listening to Lili Marleen for the first time.

Willie next to two soldiers shouldering their carbines.

A view of the unhooded front sight of Bernt's Kar98k.

German soldiers at the Swiss border hold their carbines.

Hugo (third from left) leads a small unit on the Eastern front. All of them carry Karabiner 98ks.

Mauser Puška vz. 98/22

Three German soldiers at the train station can be seen with full-length Mauser rifles which appear to be Vz. 98/22 Czech Mausers.

Puška CZ Brno 98/22 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The rifle is seen blurred in the background behind Willie and Hugo.

Two soldiers with their Mausers walking to the train. The tangent-leaf rear sight and straight bolt handle are visible.

Mauser Model 1943

At least, one German soldier is very briefly seen with a Mauser Carbine which appears to be an M43 Spanish Mauser.

Mosquetón Mauser Coruña modelo 1943 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The soldier walks by Willie. Note the auxiliary bayonet lug.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III*

American, British, and some German soldiers can be seen with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III* - .303 British

Three SMLEs to the right are stucked together.

A U.S. Army Corporal clutches his SMLE while hearing the lovely song from the other side of the front.

A closer view of the muzzle.

M1903 Springfield

Although not seen in detail, M1903 Springfields can be seen in the hands of some British and U.S. soldiers.

Springfield M1903 Transitional (pre-WW2) issue - .30-06 Springfield

A British soldier stands with his Springfield rifle in the desert.

Mosin Nagant M91/30

Soviet soldiers carry Mosin Nagant M91/30 rifles at the end of the movie.

Full-length Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mmR

Four Soviet soldiers aim their Mosin-Nagant rifles.

Machine Guns

Browning M1919A6

The barrel of a Browning M1919A6 can briefly be seen.

M1919A6, late WWII manufacture with muzzle booster - .30-06 Springfield

The Browning is seen on the left at the edge of the trench.

Maxim Mockup

Soviet soldiers can be seen with an unknown water-cooled machine gun which resembles a Maxim. The same machine gun is also manned by a German soldier.

Maxim MG08 on Schlittenlafette 08 mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser; for comparison

Soviet soldiers rest next to their machine gun. It has both pistol grip and spade grips. It also has an anti-aircraft ring sight despite being used against infantry.

A German soldier on the right is seen with an unknown machine gun.

A Soviet gunner mans the gun after firing it at German soldiers.

Trivia

Near all of the fighting scenes are taken from the 1977 WWII film Cross of Iron and its 1979 unofficial sequel Breakthrough.