Homecoming

Homecoming

Year: 1941

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: German

Director: Gustav Ucicky

Drama

The film is a Nazi propaganda piece designed to justify the invasion of Poland. It depicts ethnic Germans living in Poland as victims of discrimination and oppression by Poles, and dramatizes their rescue by the German army, presenting the attack as a humanitarian intervention.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Homecoming (1941)

Trace every key event in Homecoming (1941) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

German school seized and demolished

In the Wołyń Voivodeship, the German minority endures escalating oppression. Marie watches as her German school is seized by Polish authorities and demolished by an angry mob. The act foreshadows the violence that will engulf the family and community.

German school, Wołyń
2

Thomas protests to the mayor

Dr. Thomas formally protests to the mayor, arguing that minority rights are guaranteed by the constitution. His appeal is ignored, underscoring the authorities' refusal to protect the German community. The moment shows the growing power imbalance that fuels further actions.

Town hall
3

Marie and Fritz travel to the capital

Marie and her fiancé Fritz drive to the provincial capital to present their case to the Voivode. They are not received by officials there, leaving them frustrated and determined. They decide to stay in the capital to pursue legal avenues the next day.

Provincial capital
4

Cinema visit with Karl

That evening, they go to the cinema accompanied by Karl Michalek, who has been pressed into service by the Polish Army. The outing offers a chance for normalcy amid mounting tension. The crowd's mood soon turns dangerous.

That evening Provincial capital cinema
5

Fritz attacked for not singing anthem

When the audience refuses to sing the Polish national anthem, a furious crowd assaults Fritz, inflicting serious injuries. Marie and Karl witness the brutality and fear for his life. The incident marks a brutal escalation of ethnic hostility inside the cinema.

That evening Cinema
6

Fritz dies after refused admission

Marie tries to have Fritz admitted to a hospital, but admission is refused. He dies from his injuries, and Marie faces the devastating consequence of institutional prejudice. The death deepens the community's grief and anger.

Shortly after the cinema attack Hospital
7

Dr. Thomas blinded in attack

Back home, violence against Germans continues as Marie's father, Dr. Thomas, is attacked and blinded. The assault removes a respected healer and symbol of the community's resilience. The family grapples with personal loss amid the broader chaos.

After Fritz's death Home in Wołyń
8

Martha Launhardt dies from stones

The innkeeper Ludwig Launhardt's wife, Martha, dies after being struck by stones thrown by Poles. Her death underscores the civilian cost of the escalating ethnic conflict and shocks the village. The tragedy compounds the residents' fear and anger.

During the unrest after the cinema attack Innkeeper's inn
9

Villagers listen to Hitler on 1 Sept 1939

At the outbreak of the invasion, German villagers secretly gather in a barn to hear Hitler’s speech on 1 September 1939. They are discovered, arrested, and imprisoned by occupying authorities. The scene dramatizes the rapid shift from oppression to outright militarized control.

1 September 1939 Barn in a German village
10

Prisoners face abuse and plan escape

Marie consoles the prisoners, promising they will escape and return home where they can hear only German. They endure abuse from prison guards, but hold fast to the hope of freedom and reunion. The promise anchors their courage as the situation grows more dire.

During captivity after 1 Sept 1939 Barn prison
11

Escape through underground cellar

The prisoners escape through an underground cellar, narrowly avoiding a massacre. They are saved by invading Wehrmacht soldiers, whose arrival shifts the odds in their favor. The evacuation marks a turning point from captivity to rescue.

During the invasion of Poland Barn underground cellar; rescued by Wehrmacht
12

Return to homeland and marriage offer

The escapees prepare for resettlement into the Reich homeland, and Ludwig Launhardt asks Marie for her hand. The family and community readies for departure under the looming prospect of exile. The personal offer of marriage adds a note of hope amid upheaval.

End of the film Along the route to the Reich
13

Crossing into the Reich; Hitler's image at the checkpoint

The group crosses the border into the Reich, signaling their transfer to the objective homeland. At the checkpoint, a massive image of Hitler dominates the scene, underscoring the propaganda environment of the era. The film closes on this somber, propagandistic note.

End of the film Border checkpoint into the Reich

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:12

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Homecoming Summary

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Homecoming Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Homecoming

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