An older, experienced German soldier who becomes Paul's mentor and protector. Illiterate, he relies on Paul to read letters from his wife. He shares hardships with Paul's unit, including stealing food, and is fatally shot by a farmer's son while Paul carries him to safety shortly before the war ends.
Fabian's hedonistic best friend seeking academic recognition. He faces political arrest for communist activities, suffers a fabricated university rejection, and takes his own life, urging Fabian to live better.
Senior Gestapo official who interrogates Bartok to extract account codes for confiscated Austrian noble assets. When Bartok refuses and writes chess notation instead, Böhm punishes him by sealing his cell's bathroom and window, directly accelerating Bartok's psychological deterioration.
A traveler arrested in Zurich after being identified as the missing sculptor Anatol Ludwig Stiller. He insists that he is American, unmarried, and not Stiller, but his unverifiable identity and inconsistent stories deepen the investigation. His refusal to acknowledge his past strains his relationship with Julika and keeps the case unresolved.
Matthias is the central character, a notary who presents himself as capable and composed while struggling to understand the distress in his marriage. He tries to please Sophia, seeks David's advice, meets Ina, and later intervenes in a street harassment incident. After being hurt, he experiences a troubling episode and receives medical advice, leaving his health and relationship unresolved.
Paula's husband and a respected painter in Worpswede. He supports her materially but criticizes the distorted forms in her paintings, struggles with her desire for independence, and tries to preserve their marriage through practical compromises.
An anger-management trainer and boxing enthusiast hired to work with Benni. Initially professional, he eventually takes her to a secluded lodge where she begins to trust him, even calling him Papa. Despite having his own family and initially wanting to drop the case, he agrees to continue. He reluctantly hosts her overnight, breaks down a bathroom door when she locks herself in, and witnesses her subsequent flight into the woods.
Poet and central protagonist. Participates in 1968 student protests in East Berlin against Soviet tanks. Imprisoned after being denounced by his father, writes about love, revolution, and death. Emigrates to West Germany in 1976 and becomes a celebrated literary bestseller.
Jan Haller is the resident resisting an unlawful eviction from his apartment. He produces documents proving that the order was repealed, protects his family during the ensuing attack, and reports the violence. Despite Walter Scholl's warning about dangerous people, Jan refuses to surrender his home and plans to appeal.
Supporting figure navigating institutional and personal challenges.
Not referenced in the provided plot summary.
Albrecht Schuch has 35 screen credits in a career dating back to 1997. Their work spans 2 cinematic universes — most prominently Jenny von Loeben Filmreihe with 1 titles. Signature works include All Quiet on the Western Front, Fabian: Going to the Dogs, Chess Story. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 2 universes
Related entry on Wikidata (Q1796693), public domain (CC0).
