The Axe of Wandsbek

1934, Hamburg. Adolf Hitler is about to visit the city. Hamburg's executioner falls ill, and is unable to deliver the sentence of four communists who are awaiting capital punishment in jail. Fearing that this would spoil Hitler's visit, SS leader Footh offers a local bankrupt butcher, Albert Teetjen, 2,000 Marks in order to carry out the verdict. The broke Teetjen agrees and follows suit. When his neighbors hear of the execution, they shun him. His wife cannot tolerate her husband's deed and puts an end to her life. Eventually, Teetjen also commits suicide.

Dietmar Mues

Hans Peter Footh, Reeder

Barbara Nüsse

Annette Koldewey

Ulrich Matschoss

Dr. Koldewey, Gefängnisdirektor

Roland Schäfer

Schlachter Teetjen

Edgar Hoppe

Herr Lehmke

Burghart Klaußner

Laberdan, Wünschelrutengänger

Christa Siems

Doligkeit

Gisela Trowe

Kostümverleiherin

Vera Tschechowa

Fräulein Blüthe

• Horst KönigsteinDirector · Writer
• Heinrich BreloerWriter
• Arnold ZweigNovel

Release date

August 16, 1982

Status

Released

Original language

German

Runtime

2h 29m

Genres

TV Movie, Drama, War