Item: Wenn die Abendglocken läuten
Rating: 5.8
Author: Archivist John

Is it worth a watch?

Honestly, you should only watch this if you have a weird thing for old German mountain vibes or you’re really into films where people stare at horizons for way too long. If you want fast cars or big plot twists, you are going to be so bored you might actually fall asleep before the first bell rings. 🔔

It’s a movie for people who like to see how folks used to act in front of cameras when everything was still a bit stiff. It’s definitely not for anyone who hates slow-moving romances about people who are almost too nice to each other.

I watched this on a rainy Tuesday, and it kind of fit the mood, but I kept checking how much time was left. It’s not bad, it’s just very... earnest.

The Water Scene

Early on, Michael saves his little friend from drowning. The water looks freezing. ❄️

I don't know how they filmed it, but the splashing looks real and a bit chaotic. It’s one of the few moments where the movie actually feels like it has some energy.

Michael jumps in and you can tell the actor, Hanns Beck-Gaden, is really trying to look like a hero. He’s got that very specific 1930s 'hero face' going on.

It’s a bit dramatic, but it works to show he's a good guy. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment matters for his whole character arc.

The Romance Bit

Then there is the whole thing with his childhood sweetheart. It’s very sweet, maybe a bit too sweet for my taste.

They spend a lot of time looking at each other with these big, wet eyes. It reminded me a little bit of the melodrama in Stella Dallas, but with more mountains and less crying in the rain.

The chemistry is... fine? They look like they would be very polite at a dinner party together.

I wish they had more to talk about besides how much they like the village. It feels like their whole personality is just 'being from this town'.

Those Bells

The title is Wenn die Abendglocken läuten, which means when the evening bells ring. And boy, do they ring.

The bells are basically a character in this movie. They ring when things are good, they ring when things are sad, they just keep ringing. 🔔

One reaction shot of Michael listening to the bells lingers so long it becomes funny. He just stands there with this look on his face like he’s trying to remember if he left the stove on.

It’s supposed to be emotional, I think. But after the third time, I was kind of over the bells.

How it looks

The scenery is actually pretty nice, even if it’s all in black and white. You get these big shots of the Alps (I think they are the Alps) that look very crisp.

It’s a huge contrast to something like Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler which is all dark and scary. This movie wants you to feel safe and cozy, even when people are almost drowning.

The hats in this movie are also very interesting. Everyone has a very specific hat for their job.

I spent about five minutes just looking at one guy's hat instead of listening to what he was saying. It had a very jaunty feather in it. 🪶

Final Thoughts (Sort of)

The movie gets noticeably better once it stops taking itself so seriously, which isn't very often. It’s a very simple story told in a very simple way.

There aren't any big villains or crazy chases like in Flying Hoofs. It’s just Michael trying to do the right thing.

Sometimes the silence between the actors feels awkward rather than emotional. You can tell they are waiting for their cue to speak.

But there’s a charm to it if you’re in the right headspace. It feels like a postcard from a time that never actually existed, where everything is fixed by a bell ringing at sunset.

I don't think I'll watch it again, but I'm glad I saw it once. It’s like eating a piece of plain toast—not exciting, but it fills you up for a bit. 🍞