On the whole good film about a journalist who wants to have a hit-story at any cost, including life. But the makers want to tell more than just a story about sensation journalism. The very interesting aspect of the film is that the journalist is a just married young man who wants to have his share of the German Economic Miracle of the 50's: everything the couple has bought is on installment; he needs money more than human feelings. Thus this film is critical of the way West Germany was economically, politically and certainly socially developing in the late 50's; no wonder, as the main writer was journalist Erich Kuby, the same man who reported on the "Rosemarie Nitribitt affair" in 1957 (see the film "Das Mädchen Rosemarie" by Rolf Thiele), that also gave a very unwelcome view on the West German Economic Miracle.
The script is very well written, though it is a pity that towards the end focus shifts mainly to clearing the murder case; how the former black marketeer and his business companions could get away with their enterprising in the 50's is not made clear, with this aspect the film is not courageous enough. The direction of Josef von Baky (of "Münchhausen" fame) is good routine. Hildegard Knef and Fritz Schmiedel were justly awarded for their parts, but I think that Hansjörg Felmy is as good as the man who sold himself.
The script is very well written, though it is a pity that towards the end focus shifts mainly to clearing the murder case; how the former black marketeer and his business companions could get away with their enterprising in the 50's is not made clear, with this aspect the film is not courageous enough. The direction of Josef von Baky (of "Münchhausen" fame) is good routine. Hildegard Knef and Fritz Schmiedel were justly awarded for their parts, but I think that Hansjörg Felmy is as good as the man who sold himself.