Synopsis:Based on the 1947 book I.G. Farben, by American author Richard Sasuly, and records from the Nuremberg Trial of the chemical giant I.G. Farben, Council of the Gods is a story about the collaboration between international corporations and Nazi scientists, whose research contributed to the death of millions. Featuring music by Hanns Eisler, electronic sound by Oskar Sala (Hitchcocks's The Birds) and a script by Friedrich Wolf, the film is powerful in its depiction of the moral dilemmas and lessons of the war, as well as of Cold War propaganda.
The chemist Dr. Hans Scholz lives through a tortuous political transformation and maturation process. Finally, he becomes wrapped up in his political neutrality and closes his eyes to the fact that poison is being produced in his factory. Standing before the judges at the Nuremberg trials he has to face the fact that he was partly responsible for the deaths of millions in the gas chambers of the concentration camps.
Press Comments:"This East German feature is a fascinating blend of post-World War II regret and emerging Cold War propaganda." –- buyindies.com
Crew:Cinematography: Friedl Behn-GrundMusic: Hanns EislerEditor: Ilse VoigtCostume Design: Vera Muegge, Georg SchottProducer: Adolf FischerScreenplay: Friedrich Wolf, Phillip Gecht
Cast:Helmuth Hinzelmann (Commander Schirrwind) Inge Keller (Edith Scholz) Yvonne Merin (Claudia Mauch) Paul Bildt (Privy Councillor Mauch, Chairman of 'The Council Of The Gods') Fritz Tillmann (Dr. Hans Scholz, Chemist) Willy A. Kleinau (Mr. Lawson) Hans-Georg Rudolph (Director Tilgner) Albert Garbe (Uncle Karl)