For many years I had heard about this TV series, but I had never seen it, because in the early 1980s I was a student and didn't have a TV set. Later I did see Zweite Heimat., which I liked very much. The last weeks I could finally see the first series, when it was repeated on German TV.
I agree with other people that it was one of best pieces of drama that was ever made for TV. First, I intended to rate with a ten, but I made it a nine, because there were some flaws. What I liked the least was the recasting of the older Paul with another actor. Why Paul all of sudden left his home, his wife and children was the big mystery of the whole story. But the Paul who returned from the USA was not only played by another actor his personality had also nothing to do with the sensitive Paul from the first episode. He had turned into a boring cliché of the rich American.
Moreover, I was disappointed by the last episode, that was dragging too long. I had the feeling that with the death of Maria the story had finished. The life of her three sons and the flashbacks were much less interesting than the older episodes. Nevertheless, the series as a whole had many wonderful moments and great actors.
My favourite episode was Hermännchen, which stood a little bit apart and could been a separate movie. For me it was one of the most wonderful coming of age films that I have ever seen. And it was perfectly casted with by Jörg Richter, the son of the producer. I think nowadays it would be a bit problematic to have a 16-year-old playing erotic scenes with an actress who is nearly twice as old.
I agree with other people that it was one of best pieces of drama that was ever made for TV. First, I intended to rate with a ten, but I made it a nine, because there were some flaws. What I liked the least was the recasting of the older Paul with another actor. Why Paul all of sudden left his home, his wife and children was the big mystery of the whole story. But the Paul who returned from the USA was not only played by another actor his personality had also nothing to do with the sensitive Paul from the first episode. He had turned into a boring cliché of the rich American.
Moreover, I was disappointed by the last episode, that was dragging too long. I had the feeling that with the death of Maria the story had finished. The life of her three sons and the flashbacks were much less interesting than the older episodes. Nevertheless, the series as a whole had many wonderful moments and great actors.
My favourite episode was Hermännchen, which stood a little bit apart and could been a separate movie. For me it was one of the most wonderful coming of age films that I have ever seen. And it was perfectly casted with by Jörg Richter, the son of the producer. I think nowadays it would be a bit problematic to have a 16-year-old playing erotic scenes with an actress who is nearly twice as old.