Night Crossing

Night Crossing

Year: 1982

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: English

Director: Delbert Mann

DramaActionAdventure

Two men want to escape from East Germany (under Communist rule) but they will only go if they can take their families with them. Based on a true story.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Night Crossing (1982)

Trace every key event in Night Crossing (1982) 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

Lukas Keller's failed escape and family detention

In April 1978, Lukas Keller attempts to flee East Germany by bulldozer at the Inner German border. He is shot by automatic machine guns and left for dead by guards. The Keller family is informed during a picnic with friends, and the police take the entire family into custody.

April 1978 East Germany (border region)
2

The idea of a hot-air balloon escape

Frustrated with life under the GDR, Peter Strelzyk proposes a daring escape to his friend Günter Wetzel: a hot-air balloon that could carry their families to the West. They decide to attempt the escape with eight people in total. The plan begins in Pößneck, Thuringia as they discuss feasibility and risk.

1978-1979 Pößneck, Thuringia
3

Fabric procurement and initial sewing

To avoid drawing suspicion, they purchase 1,255 square yards of taffieta under the guise of camping club use and begin sewing. Günter works on the fabric while Peter experiments with a burner designed for the balloon. The attic becomes a makeshift workshop filled with fabric, tools, and test rigs.

Late 1978–1979 Pößneck (attic)
4

Setbacks threaten the plan

The preparation encounters significant setbacks: fires during inflation, insufficient burner power, and intense neighborly suspicion. Petra, Günter's wife, doubts the feasibility and warns of the risks. The project strains friendships and trust as the clock ticks toward the border deadline.

Late 1978 Pößneck
5

A temporary split to avoid detection

To minimize the risk of discovery, Peter and Günter stop seeing each other and continue work separately. The personal rift is painful, but both men remain committed to the escape plan. The separation buys time while maintaining hope for a second attempt.

Early 1979 Pößneck
6

Burner completed and initial tests

Peter and his eldest son Frank complete the balloon burner and begin practical tests after months of preparation. They work to ensure stability and control, hoping the device will be reliable enough for a real flight. The family continues to juggle work, secrecy, and the dream of crossing the border.

Early 1979 Pößneck
7

First launch attempt

On July 3, 1979, the Strelzyk family launches the balloon with the Strelzyks and Wetzel aboard. They manage to lift off, but a border guard spots them and a cloud dampens the burner, forcing an abortive ascent. The balloon crashes within the border zone, only a few hundred feet from the fences.

3 July 1979 East German border region
8

Escape limited; return to car

Miraculously, the eight passengers escape the border zone and return to their car, driving home. Meanwhile, the border police and the Stasi begin a formal investigation into the balloon's creators to prevent a repeat attempt. The first escape ends in failure, but the resolve to try again remains.

July 1979 Border region, East Germany
9

Stasi investigation begins

Major Koerner leads the Stasi response to identify the balloon's creators and stop them from escaping again. The discovery of the first balloon prompts a wider crackdown in Pößneck and nearby towns. The pressure mounts as authorities close in on suspects.

July–August 1979 East Germany
10

New plan takes shape

Despite the setback, Peter is convinced by his sons to try again. He asks Günter to help build a larger balloon to carry all eight people. The renewed plan intensifies secrecy and effort as the clock ticks toward another launch window.

Mid-1979 Pößneck
11

Gathering materials under pressure

The families buy smaller quantities of taffita from various stores to avoid drawing attention, and identify a launch area for the second attempt. Supplies are hidden and moved under cover as the deadline approaches. The tension rises as time runs short.

September 1979 Pößneck area
12

Stasi close-in after blood pressure discovery

On 15 September 1979, signs pile up when the Stasi finds blood-pressure medicine belonging to Doris, linking her to the first balloon. A neighbor reports suspicious activity, and the families depart minutes before the authorities arrive. The sense of imminent danger pushes them toward a final decision.

15 September 1979 Pößneck area
13

Final launch day preparations

The balloon is inflated and the burner lit as the eight people climb into the basket. A fire starts in the cloth but is quickly extinguished by Günter, who keeps the fabric from catching fire. A hole appears, and they hope the balloon will still hold for the journey.

15 September 1979 Launch point near Pößneck
14

Pursuit and descent

Koerner pursues them in a helicopter as the propane supply runs dry. The balloon descends into a clearing, and the border guard mobilizes to find the craft. The eight escapees emerge unharmed and, when asked, confirm they are in the West.

Evening 15 September 1979 Border region
15

Final reunion and freedom

The families signal their success with a flare and share a moment of relief and joy. They embrace as they realize they are now free in West Germany. The escape marks a turning point for their lives and a notable moment in the broader context of East–West tensions.

Shortly after landing, 15 September 1979 West Germany

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:56

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Night Crossing Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Night Crossing

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