The central protagonist, a revolutionary leader who deserts the army in WWI, organizes communist uprisings in Hamburg, leads the KPD in the Reichstag against Nazis, and is eventually imprisoned and executed by the SS. His life spans from the war front to the fight for mankind's liberation.
A socialist sailor who serves in the firing detail assigned to execute Albin Köbis and Max Reichpietsch. Unable to shoot them, he refuses to carry out the execution and is arrested. His refusal connects the political conflict among the sailors to the growing resistance against the fleet's command.
Vater Zitterbacke is Alfons's father, who regards the family name as honorable and expects his son to grow strong and courageous. He criticizes Alfons's timidity and puts him through tests such as a high dive at the swimming pool. Despite their difficult moments, he and Alfons make peace, and he tells his son to come to him with his troubles.
Günther Simon has 56 screen credits in a career dating back to 1952. Their work is anchored in the Ernst Thälmann Collection universe with 2 titles. Signature works include The Sailor's Song, Das Traumschiff, Ernst Thälmann – Leader of the Working Class. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Related entry on Wikidata (Q95951), public domain (CC0).
