Robert Koch: The Battle Against Death (1939) User Reviews (2)

TB or not TB.

[brogmiller · 8/10 · 7 March 2024]

The genre known as 'Genius' film, depicting the lives of those who have made an indelible mark on history, is eminently suited to the achievements of medical scientists whose brilliance, dedication and determination have triumphed over adversity to the betterment of mankind.

Directed by Hans Steinhoff, this splendid biopic of Dr. Robert Koch, renowned as the founder of Bacteriology, is said to be Germany's answer to Hollywood's 'Louis Pasteur', the director of which, William Dieterle, also made 'Dr. Erlich's Magic Bullet' starring the inimitable Edward G. Robinson and featuring a brief appearance by Albert Basserman as Dr. Koch.

The effectiveness of films of this type lies in the obstacles these pioneers have to overcome in pursuit of their life-changing discoveries and here the Koch of Emil Jannings is up against the powerful Berliner scientist, Reichstag deputy and Privy councillor Rudolf Virchow played by Werner Krauss. When, in March 1884 Koch announces to the Physiological Society Conference his discovery that Tuberculosis is an infectious disease and not hereditary, the previously sceptical Virchow finally acknowledges Koch's achievement and the final duologue between these two magnificent but since 'demonised' actors is a real treat.

Cinematography is by Fritz Arno Wagner, famous for his classic collaborations with Pabst and Murnau and who decided to remain in Germany during the war.

Billy Wilder referred to Hans Steinhoff as 'a talentless idiot' but this viewer has not yet seen a film of his that he has not enjoyed.

He also directed Jannings in the excellent 'Der Alte und der Junge Koenig' whilst the inflammatory nature of their last collaboration 'Ohm Krueger' proved to be the final nail in Janning's career. Although Krauss continued working after the required period of denazification, he never shook off the stigma of collaboration and died in obscurity. As for Steinhoff, he was aboard a plane leaving Berlin which was shot down by the Russians.

When watching films made during the Third Reich it is of course essential to have one's moral compass handy and this certainly applies to those of Herr Steinhoff! It must be said however that Dr. Koch's story is one that needed to be told and it has been done so here in tasteful and exemplary fashion.

A great German classic

[cynthiahost · 10/10 · 25 February 2014]

You American broadcast classic film channels,always over repeat the Blue angels and praise Emil Jannings for his performance,yet they refuse to explore Emile's German works,just to punish him, as well as not to offend the Jewish and families of world war two veterans audience , cause that classic broadcasting channel is hypocritically politically correct against his German films after the blue angels.Yet they will show our own hate classic birth of a nation.Double standard.Emile performance as doctor Koch is excellent,In spite of Hitler's attitudes against the sick and disabled, Koch is almost portrayed accurately,the real on was married twice.Emile version is mainly one wife,played by Hildegarde Emmy , both old enough to be grand parents, and yet has a daughter ,young enough to be his Granddaughter, could not get her name.Viktoria Von Ballasko , portrays his faithful nurse,sister Else.Right out of graduation ,Robert has an assistant, D.r. Firtz Von Hartwig ,portrayed by Raimund Schelscher, in which later both Else and him would develop a Romantic interest in each other , Joseph Sieber and Hilda Korber portray the victims of their daughter dying of polio Ironically there is a Christian church sequence,in spite of the fact it was outlawed in the real world .Where all the church goers get mad a t Koch to think he's killing their children. One of the local school teachers,played by Paul Dahlke, is one of his enemies who tries to petition him out of Roberts practice .There's a funny sequence where the wife of the Baron,portrayed by Elizabeth Flickschilt, has the hots for Koch and tire to get him to examine her,surprising her with a bucket of freezing cold water,at her.Werner Krause portrays Rudolph Virschow ,a famous surgeon and teacher,who gets too busy to meet Koch with Koch's new findings of the Bactria that cause polio.After Kirschows witnessing the discovery of the polio bacteria ,he immediately leaves to the kaisers ball,at the surprise of the member of the medical profession and Koch, just to meet the Kaiser portrayed by Rolf Prasch,only to come back to Koch for assistants ,in which they end up arguing.It's also a the first German feature to use the ,at the time still experimental 35mm a.g.f.a. color in a sequence,Although its not that great.Bismark,portrayed by Friedrich Otto Fischer, makes an appearance in his debate,which Kirschow found more important than meeting Koch.This movie cannot be compare to Friedrich the great film series,which had political propaganda .You just can't compare Robert Koch to Hitler .You know what Hitler would have done to the sick. 02/ 25/14