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But when they are put in a certain situation and being manipulated into it, they go against their nature. Albrecht actually being violent towards Friedrich in the boxing basement, not only physically but also verbally. And Friedrich knocking someone out, even looking like he’s having fun while doing so.

Also how their ways to escape their regime contrast but also mirror each other’s ways.

Albrecht’s death being the only one he inflicted purposefully on anyone, that being himself. In the movie, it’s portrayed rather peacefully, but drowning is usually a really violent and painful death. Especially in the cold.

And Friedrich’s escape is simply non-compliance. Refusing to knock his opponent out, despite having every reason to, as it would have a positive impact on his future.

“But how do they mirror each other?”

Well, Albrecht is the one who never complied to his father, aka the regime. He didn’t want to, because it went against his morals. Although he’s not exactly what his father wanted, he still could’ve integrated himself into the regime somehow, but as we know he didn’t do that. Instead he challenged it, knowing it would result in his death one way or another.

And Friedrich was the violent of the two. It got him the place at Allenstein, and it was the regimes way of pulling him in. But his violence wasn’t irrational, he was calculated with it, even being hesitant to hurt someone in a way that would result serious injury.

Albrecht’s way of life was Friedrich’s escape; and Friedrich’s way of life was Albrecht’s escape.

GUESS WHO ACQUIRED THE NAPOLA MEDIABOOK!

That’s right. I got the Napola Media book! It was released in 2021 as a limited edition and features an exclusive interview with Dennis Gansel about the movie.

Since its completely German, and most of you speak English, I’ll tell you some highlights!

Gansel originally planned to do a scene with a Tieffliegerangriff (Low-level air attack), where one of the older students died. Said student was the former editor of the schools newspaper, which Albrecht then took over.

In general, there were more battle scenes planned, one in which a group gets killed by a Panzerfaust. Those scenes were cut because of run time and budget, and substituted with the forest chase scene.

There was also a romance plot planned and filmed, between Albrecht and Katharina, but it was fully cut. Gansel said it distracted too much from Albrecht and Friedrich, and that mostly the producers were against it.

The actors were allowed to practice their scenes and roleplay their characters, to flesh them more out for themselves and really get into the role.

There is so much more interesting stuff in here, but I think that was the most important info for the movie itself. I think it’s interesting that they released a new version after so many years, and that apperantly, the movie didn’t get much good feedback in Germany. It did take off internationally, which is also interesting because it doesn’t have an English dub.