Based on the novel : Berlin Alexanderplatz / by Alfred Döblin.
Originally produced as a motion picture in 1979. Later shown as a 14-episode television program.
"Under exclusive license from Bavaria Media GmbH."--Container.
Special features (disc 6): "Fassbinder's Berlin Alexanderplatz" documentary on the making of the film by Fassbinder Foundation president Juliane Lorenz, featuring interviews with cast and crew (66 min.).
Special features (disc 7): "Notes on the Making of 'Berlin Alexanderplatz'" Hans-Dieter Hartl's 1980 documentary (44 min.) ; "Berlin Alexanderplatz remastered" notes on the restoration (32 min.) ; "Berlin Alexanderplatz" 1931 film adaptation of the novel from a screenplay co-written by the author himself (84 min.); Interview with author and Berlin Alexanderplatz scholar Peter Jelavich.
Program notes on container insert include an essay "He who lives in a human skin" by filmmaker Tom Tykwer, "The cities of humanity and the human soul" reflections by Fassbinder on Döblin's novel, an essay "You've no right to exist" by German author Thomas Steinfeld on the novel, "Black and white in color" an interview with Schwarzenberger, film chapter titles, and notes on the digital transfer process.
Disc 1. Part I, The punishment begins ; Part II, How is one to live if one doesn't want to die? -- Disc 2. Part III, A hammer blow to the head can injure the soul ; Part IV, A handful of people in the depths of silence ; Part V, A reaper with the power of our lord -- Disc 3. Parts VI, Love has its price ; Part VII, Remember- an oath can be amputated ; Part VIII, The suns warms the skin, but burns it sometimes too -- Disc 4. Part IX, About the eternities between the many and the few ; Part X, Loneliness tears cracks of madness even in walls ; Part XI, Knowledge is power and the early bird catches the worm -- Disc 5. Parts XII, The serpent in the soul of the serpent ; Part XIII, The outside and the inside and the secret of fear of the secret -- Disc 6. Epilogue.
Cinematography, Xaver Schwarzenberger, Josef Vavra ; art director, Harry Baer ; editor, Julianne Lorenz ; costume design, Barbara Baum.
Günter Lamprecht, Karlheinz Braun, Hanna Schygulla, Claus Holm, Franz Buchrieser, Gottfried John, Barbara Sukowa, Günther Kaufman, Ivan Desny.
DVD, region 1; Dolby digital mono.
In German, with optional English subtitles.
