Rainer Werner Fassbinder's film tells the experiences of a German woman's survival immediately after World War II.
Maria (Hanna Schygulla) marries Hermann Braun during the war, but within two days Hermann is sent to the Eastern Front and disappears. After the war, Maria is convinced Hermann is still alive and shows a strong will to survive. Then word comes through her sister's husband who returns from the war that Hermann has been killed.
Maria works in a bar that seems to primarily serve African-American soldiers and begins a relationship with Bill (George Bird). She becomes pregnant, a fact that pleases both of them. However, while celebrating by undressing and preparing to have sex, Hermann shows up. Maria is delighted to see him. Hermann in a kind of despair attacks Bill. Maria kills Bills, but Hermann ends up taking the blame and goes to prison. Maria loses the baby but wants the grave cared for.
Maria then sets about to become a financial success in order to welcome Hermann when his prison term is over. She openly initiates a relationship with a businessman, Karl Oswald (Ivan Desny) to that end, while continuing to visit Hermann in prison. She doesn't think Karl knows about Hermann, but he does and Karl visits Hermann as well. Maria professes to love both men in a different way, but her ultimate commitment is to Hermann. When Hermann gets out of prison he leaves for Canada because he doesn't want to be dependent on Maria, who by now is quite wealthy.
Karl dies suddenly and Hermann returns from Canada and suddenly Maria has reached the goal she has always wanted. But it's a case of being cursed by achieving what she dreamed of. Karl divides his fortune between Maria and Hermann. There is an ambiguous ending that closes with the death of both Maria and Hermann.
This film is well done. It's depressing as we gradually watch Maria Braun gradually lose her soul as her monetary success increases. She justifies all she does by the artificial goal she has established of reunification with her husband.
Maria (Hanna Schygulla) marries Hermann Braun during the war, but within two days Hermann is sent to the Eastern Front and disappears. After the war, Maria is convinced Hermann is still alive and shows a strong will to survive. Then word comes through her sister's husband who returns from the war that Hermann has been killed.
Maria works in a bar that seems to primarily serve African-American soldiers and begins a relationship with Bill (George Bird). She becomes pregnant, a fact that pleases both of them. However, while celebrating by undressing and preparing to have sex, Hermann shows up. Maria is delighted to see him. Hermann in a kind of despair attacks Bill. Maria kills Bills, but Hermann ends up taking the blame and goes to prison. Maria loses the baby but wants the grave cared for.
Maria then sets about to become a financial success in order to welcome Hermann when his prison term is over. She openly initiates a relationship with a businessman, Karl Oswald (Ivan Desny) to that end, while continuing to visit Hermann in prison. She doesn't think Karl knows about Hermann, but he does and Karl visits Hermann as well. Maria professes to love both men in a different way, but her ultimate commitment is to Hermann. When Hermann gets out of prison he leaves for Canada because he doesn't want to be dependent on Maria, who by now is quite wealthy.
Karl dies suddenly and Hermann returns from Canada and suddenly Maria has reached the goal she has always wanted. But it's a case of being cursed by achieving what she dreamed of. Karl divides his fortune between Maria and Hermann. There is an ambiguous ending that closes with the death of both Maria and Hermann.
This film is well done. It's depressing as we gradually watch Maria Braun gradually lose her soul as her monetary success increases. She justifies all she does by the artificial goal she has established of reunification with her husband.