"Our State Border" - East German Film (1979)

This is a East German documentary-propaganda film about the inner German border in Berlin.
It was created and published by the Army Film Studio of the National People's Army in 1979. It depicts the various activities and tasks of the "Grenztruppen" (border troops) at the Berlin Wall.
The film also covers the post-war history of Berlin: The founding of the German Democratic Republic in 1949, the restoration of the Brandenburg gate, and the construction of the Berlin Wall in August of 1961. There are also scenes of children & soldiers laying wreathes at a memorial dedicated to the border troops who died during their service at the wall.
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[@MaximusandHistory]

At 6:40 you can hear music from the Soviet cartoon "Nu Pogodi" (Ну, погоди!), which is my childhood ❤ Also, for a documentary-propaganda film about the Berlin Wall, the GDR had a surprisingly good taste with all that groovy disco music in the background 😅

[@muecke-mj6wh]

@Maximus and History You dont write east Germany. You must write GERMAN DEMOKRATIC REPUBLIK. EAST GERMANY IS NONSENS

[@einbertalstein1394]

Orchester Günter Gollasch - Kalinka

[@MaximusandHistory]

@@muecke-mj6wh I understand why that may be offensive to you, but historically speaking, especially in the English speaking world, the FRG and GDR were simply referred to as "East" and "West" Germany.

[@MQuaritch]

It's actually a modified version of Kalinka

[@MaximusandHistory]

@@MQuaritch It contains a musical quote of Kalinka, the full song is an original composition!

[@TheSpiritingPoet]

Me (who speaks exactly zero German): Ah yes, my recommended has picked a banger today, I will watch all twelve minutes.

[@guyintenn]

Click on cog wheel (one for resolution)>Subtitles/CC>Auto-translate>Scroll down to your language of choice>be sure CC is highlighted.

[@marks.3303]

The auto-translate feature gives you a butchered but mostly understandable English translation.

[@lemonator8813]

​@@guyintenn a video it actually works on wow i gave up tryi g a while ago haha

[@stlaut2758]

you are missing out, 3:55 is funny; the narration +its an excerpt from a newspaper saying West Germany wants to annex East Germany, then the following pictures, haha

[@WorkersPartyofAustralia]

Considering how much English videos Germans watch daily I’d say it’s a fair compromise.

[@andresihotang2314]

Regardless of the content, you gotta admit their knack in finding the hypnotic and enjoyable background music for the video

[@rathersane]

It’s a good reminder that the 1970s also happened behind the Iron Curtain 😊

[@jameslongstreet9259]

Love the Music when NATO appears, it becomes somewhat psychedelic 💊💊

[@davidpan5176]

Most of the DDR could get western radio and TV broadcasts. RIAS in West Berlin played all the latest western hit music, so the East German youth were well aware of the latest trends.

[@LOTIL62]

I know there is another version of this on youtube. Everyone has been trying to find the music tracks to it. I've been able to find the one showing the "agression" as a track called "Feuer 21." It's in a soundtrack or a popular TV show from then too. Can't find the rest still. Hell, that opening track is damn catchy!

[@michaelfinger6303]

They learned from the best...

[@DEEPENFRIENDSHIP]

"Our country doesn't suck at all, nobody's trying to escape. In fact people are trying to sneak in because the GDR is totally rad and coo"

[@rockfella1377]

@@NerdyNEET Sure, it's mostly facade. They show you the good looking stuff. Don't go beyond those streets.

[@rockfella1377]

@@NerdyNEET Dude, i was born in East-Berlin. Their propaganda was next level.

[@tomrobbins5242]

I love how East German escapes always managed to wait until they earned advanced state provided degrees

[@DEEPENFRIENDSHIP]

Smart people fled is what you're saying.

[@tomrobbins5242]

@@DEEPENFRIENDSHIP no matter Volkswagen is done manufacturing is done. Germany is a slave to the United States.

[@einbertalstein1394]

Say what you want on east german propaganda, the background music is dope!

[@CatatonicImperfect]

Reminds me of the 70s soft pornos that ran on night time German TV in the 90s. Emmanuelle, anyone? Tinto Brass?

[@MaximusandHistory]

That's the funny thing about East German propaganda, unlike West German propaganda films of that time period, the GDR at least used some groovy music.

[@BarberJ95]

It’s so 1970s funky-groovy coded w/ some North Korean elements lmao

[@mebsrea]

Hans Alpert und das Tijuana Blechorchester. 😂

[@IvarsBezdechi]

Groovy, man!

[@raitisfreimanis]

I was in West Berlin in November of 1977, the same time Bowie recorded Heroes there. I crossed over to East Berlin for a day trip at Checkpoint Charlie. The contrast between the two parts of the city was startling.

[@reneharde3459]

It was even startling in the early '90s when I first visited my cousin in Berlin - the east had done virtually nothing to repair the bomb damage from WW2 in most of the city - the laundry was aired out when the wall fell. It was all GDR propaganda facade.

[@alexclement7221]

Wait, you spent the entire day at the checkpoint? Were you detained for questioning? FWIW, "Checkpoint Charlie" was properly the checkpoint on the WESTERN side, not the eastern. Alpha was at the autobahn entrance at Marienborn, Checkpoint Bravo was near Drewitz, at the edge of Wesberlin, and Charlie was in Friedrichstadt, not far from the Friedrichstrasse U-bahn station crossing.

[@iandale8762]

I was in the RAF and was twice stationed near Monchengladbach, in West Germany, during the Cold War. I used to regularly take new squadron arrivals for 3 day ‘orientation’ visits to Checkpoint Alpha at Helmstedt. We would tour the border just north and south of Helmstedt, briefing the visitors on the history and physical aspects of the border. We also would try to draw the East German Border Guards nearer to us, leaving bottles of beer and German sausage on the short border posts.

[@MaximusandHistory]

That is so awesome! It's always great to read comments from the people who were actually there! And it some way, it's surreal because I wasn't even alive then.

[@Volker_GR]

Hi Ian, German viewers/readers cringe when they read RAF because for us Germans RAF means first and foremost ‘Rote Armee Fraktion’ (Red Army Faction, aka Baader-Meinhof Group), not Royal Airforce. That's why I always advise my British friends not to use that abbreviation :-) Of course you got a thumbs up from me.

[@mrnice1976]

@@Volker_GR That was my first thought also. Luckily, I can read context.

[@blackjacka.5097]

​@@Volker_GROnly the neolibs cringe.

[@blackjacka.5097]

Very ignorant and stupid. Do you genuinely think they had no beer and sausage? East german workers literally got it daily from their workplace

[@s.2652]

I have really enjoyed this video for years! I’m happy to see it in this quality! Thank you for preserving DDR history.

[@freeman10000]

That music, that production! Pure gold.

[@tdirtyatl]

Definitely 70s

[@artmaknev3738]

Its such a crazy and still so unbelievable history, how the city was divided into two parts with completely different operating systems, split by a wall, with relatives and families stuck on opposite sides!

[@MaximusandHistory]

When you think about it, the more surreal it becomes when you realized that this really happened!

[@bert2530]

As a witness of this situation just before and after the crumbling off the wall I can tell you the cultural differences were really shocking. Two completely different societies divided by approximately 30 meters. From constant traffic jams to almost empty boulevards. Dark and gloomy environment to a bright lighted and loud city center. It was really unbelievable.

[@alexclement7221]

Actually, Vienna was as well, just after the war. See the movie "The Third Man" to get an idea of what that was like.

[@alangordon3283]

Socialism never works .

[@enuajsifoto]

Love the music - so much in tune with the pictures and bringing the memories of the times in the most intuitive ways.

[@MaximusandHistory]

Yeah, the GDR produced some absolute bangers!

[@tonyb9864]

Great find! Thanks for posting this.

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

Your videos are truly some of the best GDR content out there. As someone trying to become a professor of history some day, I will definitely be using your videos when I bring up the Cold War and the Eastern Bloc.

[@MaximusandHistory]

Thank you so much for the very kind comment! I hope all of this content could be used for education purposes!

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

@ Of course. I also joined your Discord server as well ^^

[@anthemsofeurope2408]

My father was born 1978 in the GDR, my mother 1980. For me as a east German its interesting to see, how the GDR looked like in the time when my parents where born.

[@Piddel]

Berlin really was their propaganda show-off socialism city. Just look at any other city (especially in the 80s) and you realise just how much money was pumped into the capitol to atleast maintain a nice look in *one* city.

[@MaximusandHistory]

It's always a pleasure to see GDR citizens leaving comments on my videos!

[@axelsandi]

it's façade me boy. already and especially then.

[@8000SAC]

You are kid...

[@anthemsofeurope2408]

@@8000SAC I'm already a grown man.

[@lashlarue7924]

after a long and hard week, I love to tuck myself into bed watching old propaganda films from the GDPR.

[@alanbennett5071]

An old news item: “Today the East German pole vault champion became the West German pole vault champion…”

[@DailyDamage]

There’s an old joke about the East German border. Katarina Witt, the East German ice skater, wins the gold medal. She comes to Berlin to meet the president of the Republic, Eric Honecker. He says: we are so proud of your accomplishments. We will fulfill any wish you have, for one day. She looks at him and says: just for one day I’d like to see the border is open. He looks at her smiling winks at her and says: you naughty little thing, so you want to be with me all on your own? 😊

[@josef-peterroemer5309]

That's Katrina Witt

[@zuendeleser6862]

@@josef-peterroemer5309 It's neither Kari nor Katrina, and not Eric, and not a "president" ... It's the normal state of affairs when people in the West talk about East Germany -- willful ignorance...

[@muecke-mj6wh]

@@DailyDamage you write Nonsens because Katarina Witt was not east German ice skater

[@muecke-mj6wh]

@@josef-peterroemer5309 Nonsens. Please write Katarina Witt

[@muecke-mj6wh]

@@zuendeleser6862 you write Nonsens please write Katarina Witt

[@walterishere5864]

Thank you, watched through it despite not knowing any German. The film quality is amazing!

[@FEINDKONTAKT.]

Quality is perfect, thanks.

[@tomservo5347]

The DDR was an oddity in the Soviet bloc. It was given more autonomy than any other country by Stalin of all people. Of all Warsaw Pact militaries the East German Army was considered the best-organized and officered in large part by WW2 combat veterans.

[@daeph123]

but we had the strictest rules and the leaders were more communist than the Soviets

[@martinfiedler4317]

Sure. The NVA having officers that had fought in WWII was an absolute oddity in post-WWII-Europe and especially the Warsaw Pact. All other Warsaw Pact countries had famously retired all their soldiers after May '45 and started with completely new military staff.

[@Bystrica01]

Und doch war die DDR der engste Verbündete der Sowjetunion, ihr Vorposten in Europa und der treueste Vasall!

[@dirkmeisel4555]

Die Besten waren wir schon, nach dem zweiten Weltkrieg. Aber mehr Autonomie hatten wir mit Sicherheit nicht, eher weniger, weil uns die Russen bis zum Schluss nicht getraut haben!

[@marcofreyssonnet9673]

Let's remember that in 1918 Germany was very close to a communist revolution. Germans have also qualities that are very adapted to socialism, for instance organization qualities, work discipline, collective consciousness. It was the first country with a modern welfare state too. And Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Hegel were German by the way.

[@AnthonyJones-vk6xq]

Excellent video, i lived there in the late 80's till the wall fell, i left in 1993 and whilst i was there i had the best time of my life, i loved Berlin, i love the German people and i was so happy to revisit Berlin the last time in 2004. Great city, great memories and Great German friends.

[@hanzfranz7739]

Berlin looks VERY different today...

[@rogernikodemus8024]

Fortunately !

[@ws768]

Yes, especially the eastern part. Where did all the bullet holes and half-ruins go in Mitte, Prenzl. Berg, Friedrichshain,...,...

[@timonsolus]

@@ws768: Incredible that 35 years after WW2, Berlin still wasn’t 100% fully repaired from the war.

[@flitsertheo]

@@ws768 You can still see the patched up bullet holes on many buildings.

[@artmaknev3738]

@@timonsolus yes especially that each citizen pays 5% of their income tax to the restoration efforts, where the money goes?

[@MichelEloy-co1jr]

J AI VECU 6 ANS EN RDA ET JE PEUX VOUS DIRE QUE CE SONT LES PLUS BELLES ANNEES DE MA VIE BEAUCOUP DE SOLIDARITE ET D AMITIES TCHUSS

[@kriskris998]

The good old days. This Video is reminding me of Johannesburg in the 70s

[@deadchannelxd0420]

i can smell the 70s funk while watching this

[@petebondurant58]

Thank you for providing this video. I appreciate seeing the history of the Cold War from every aspect.

[@philip.morris]

I think people have a fascination and nostalgia for this period in German history. Lets not forget the brave souls who died trying escape to the West Berlin and Germany.

[@Natadangsa]

They were not brave souls. They were teacherous, weak souls who died for the degeneracy of the West

[@josef-peterroemer5309]

Yes because they believed what propaganda the BRD was telling them. Once they did the escrow for west German TV, they were done with the east German didn't need those escapees till the next propaganda show.

[@zuendeleser6862]

They are by no means forgotten. Who is easily forgotten however, are the many soldiers who died on this border, having mostly not chosen to be there, because they were murdered either by provocateurs and anti-communists on the other side, or by their comrades or escapees who were all too willing to sacrifice the lives of others for a more prosperous life, and who are heroized today because they supposedly did it for “freedom” and “democracy”.

[@marks.3303]

@@zuendeleser6862 Eight East German guards were killed between 1961 and 1989. Had they not tried to stop people from escaping, including using deadly force, they would not have died. All the deaths at the Berlin Wall are the sole responsibility of the East German government.

[@dieselscience]

@@zuendeleser6862 Bullshit. ZERO East German soldiers died on the border who were 'murdered' by anyone. "Prosperous life" in East Germany - you're funny.

[@kzm-cb5mr]

The last two minutes of the video had a banger music

[@foreverblueclassics]

I've seen this video on another channel but this is the best quality. I love that soundtrack too! Many thanks for posting!

[@samuelattas3864]

Nice to find you here 👍🏻

[@foreverblueclassics]

​@@samuelattas3864😊

[@michaelscott5155]

My High School and College German classes made it so I could understand most of this.

[@Paul-r3v]

We westerners met the easterns in the highway to Berlin service areas. In the restaurant areas, I noticed all people looking at us like we were rock stars. We could go east or west, they couldnt.

[@Thefoodofficer]

Loved the upbeat 70s disco music used in the film! Gives a retro vibe

[@vilivonkin6243]

Music is from other world. DDR quality.

[@rathersane]

Communism with that disco groove!

[@cameronhamilton3717]

Amazing music. I especially like the first track.

[@ГеннадийСеднев-м3щ]

Я там служил. Люблю восточную Германию и восточных немцев

[@nighthawwwk]

I was in both West- and East Berlin in 1988. It is difficult to explain just how strange it was.

[@reneharde3459]

Understood, and I visited a few years later and it was still weird. It is strange when I meet former East Germans here in the US, they are very different from my own West German family

[@finrisumies6663]

Some AI enhancement method has been used on the film. Is this enhancement done by the archive or yours?

[@MaximusandHistory]

You would be correct, I applied a very light amount of AI upscaling to sharpen the image quality and to get rid of the noisy artefacts that were present in the video.

[@Bareego]

@@MaximusandHistory you did a great job !

[@MaximusandHistory]

@@Bareego Thank you very much! I am always happy to know that people appreciate my work!

[@eduardh.5964]

At last a documentary about the GDR, which has become very rare these days. It honestly shows what it was like back then in my beloved old homeland.

[@jochensch8821]

Der Film vermittelt den Eindruck man kann in der DDR unter sich das Brandenburger Tor anschauen. In einem Kommentar lese ich aber. Es gab einen Zaun und man konnte da nicht hinsehen. Wir hatten etwa 1985 Besuch aus der DDR. Die Frau konnte nicht so einfach die Brieffreundin besuchen. Es wurde ein Antrag gestellt zum Besuch einer "Tante" die 80 wurde. Der Geburtstag stimmte, aber heute könnte sie ohne Antrag den Besuch machen. ohne die angeblliche verwandschaftliche Beziehung wäre der Besuch gar nicht genehmigt worden. Es ist übrigens ein Film der NVA. Zeigt aber auch wie gut sich Ost-Berlin entwickelt hat nachdem die Grenze zu war.

[@finnelkjaer7461]

A propaganda film made for a totalitarian system, and one that also glorifies the Soviet system and the Red army.

[@motorola4075]

@@finnelkjaer7461 как будто что то плохое.

[@finnelkjaer7461]

@@motorola4075 Yes, the Soviet Union was bad, especially under the terror regime of Stalin. As a phenomenon, the Red Army was bad too, also during WWII, or perhaps particularly then, which shouldn't be forgotten just because the Nazi regime in Germany was extremely cruel and destructive. Others participants (or victims) in WWII weren't angels, but most fell short of the nastiness of the totalitarian regimes of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

[@motorola4075]

@@finnelkjaer7461 А не пойти бы тебе на ТРИ известные русские буквы?

[@davidfaas58777]

I am 59 Now And this for Me is Kind of Nostalgic I recall it more than 40 Years Ago 🇺🇸 #Historical

[@Kim-i6v9b]

„Stopp, sagten unsere Arbeiter“! -- Zum Brüllen! Toller Fund!

[@kalle_kullaa7040]

Etwa nicht ? Wer denn sonst ? immerhin war Kennedy nicht gerade uneinverstanden mit der Mauer ....Besser eine Mauer als ein heißer Krieg ! Ein waiser Mann .... Die Teilund Deutschland war ein Fehler der Alliierten damals. Dazu wurde die SU damals von den 3 Westmöchten total über den Tisch gezogen. Der SU war es schlicht egal, sie shane in den ersten Jahren die SBZ nicht als seperaten Staat an, sondern ein Gebiet wo man Reparationen zu Recht abgreifen konnte. Darum wurde die DDR auch erst nach der BRD gegründet. Die USA sahen die BRD dann schon als Bollwerk gegen die SU an und legten dort dann schon die erfolgreiche Strategie gegen die DDR und damit gegen den Ostblock fest. Leider haben sich dann 1989 (teilweise Berechtigt) die breite Mehrheit der DDR Bevölkerung mit bunten Werbe TV und dicker harter Währung und Konsumsucht von der Westseite verlocken und verführen lassen. So sind eben die Menschen .... und so einige heute bereuen dies zutiefst ....

[@Bystrica01]

Die Grenzgänger waren tatsächlich nicht gut gelitten bei der Bevölkerung. Im Osten billig leben und der Teil Westlohn raffgierig umgetauscht.

[@Alpha_Foxtrot-28]

The video quality makes it looks like a 80s hollywood film

[@MaximusandHistory]

It kinda does haha!

[@daeph123]

maybe that's because they used similar technology

[@Grilledcheesyness]

Seriously, that music soundtrack rocks.

[@MaximusandHistory]

I couldn't agree more!

[@deko701]

@@MaximusandHistorywhere can one find a soundtrack playlist

[@auric-goldbugger]

I’m sure it’s all royalty free…This music is the property of the people, right?

[@auric-goldbugger]

wtf is up with some of the DDR. Border troops wearing their uniform tunics without collared shirts and ties underneath? Disgusting and decadent.

[@MaximusandHistory]

@@auric-goldbugger Copyright existed in Socialist countries, including the USSR. After 1991, the rights to these songs could have easily been bought by record companies, private individuals, or their copyright was renewed by original composers themselves. It's somewhat muddy territory because some GDR songs will likely lapse into the public domain, so I can't say with any certainty regarding these songs. I hope to find the names someday!

[@rumeunner3245]

8:32 wicked side burns.

[@antonigiwojna]

Thank you for helping me survive my night shift :D

[@dmytroy.g.1373]

My parents worked in DDR in 1979-1981. I made my first steps here))

[@Hongemann]

Always funny that the GDR propaganda films had to emphasize that the country was "internationally recognized" for certain achievements 4:58

[@MaximusandHistory]

Well the country was only recognized internationally in 1973 by the United Nations when the GDR and the FRG became members of the UN. Both sides also recognized each other as being independent. It's no surprise that they were proud of this achievement because it completely legitimizes their existence and their propaganda about the border wall.

[@josef-peterroemer5309]

At least in East Germany the Schooling including Universities was better, free Day care for working wifes children, Women got paid the exact same as a man regardless of Job or position, something west Germany did not do, and still doesn't today just like the USA more women were employed then in west Germany. And yes you could own your own house.

[@markjones979]

​@@josef-peterroemer5309both men and women got paid equal amounts of money that couldn't actually buy anything.

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Another outstanding episode, Paul. The 1950s were a wild time for jet fighter design.

[@asdvet1918]

Ich habe in der DDR gut gelebt. Er arbeitete als einfacher Dreher in einer Fabrik. Die Wohnung wurde vom Staat zur Verfügung gestellt, Familie, Kinder, volle Sozialversicherung. Vertrauen in die Zukunft. Ruhe und Stabilität.

[@saytex-mu4xe]

Ja freilich, mit Kinder und politischer Bravheit hat man manchmal ein Arbeiterschliessfach bekommen. Ruhe... ja, Friedhofsruhe.

[@oliveryt7168]

@@saytex-mu4xe Blödsinn... die Leute haben gelebt ähnlich wie im Westen.. es wurde gefeiert, es wurde gelacht... du stellst dir das echt als Freilichtgefängnis vor, oder wie? Ich selbst wähle nicht mal links, aber man muss einfach auch mal bei den Tatsachen bleiben.. sagen, was schlecht und was gut war.

[@asdvet1918]

​@@saytex-mu4xeIch, meine Familie und meine Verwandten hätten nie gedacht, dass wir in einem geschlossenen Land leben würden. Die Mehrheit der Menschen in der DDR machte sich darüber keine Sorgen. Ja, es gab diejenigen, die in den Westen gehen wollten, um zu sehen, wie es dort war. Viele gingen. Wir zeigten deutsches Fernsehen und schauten ruhig zu. Die meisten Menschen reisten mit Touristengutscheinen in sozialistische Länder.

[@Carsten-n6h]

Fragt sich nur warum dieser tolle Staat mit dem weltgrößten Geheimdienst alle Bürger auf perfide Art zum Teil durch die eigenen Familienmitglieder bespitzeln lassen musste.

[@edmund2382]

@@asdvet1918 Was blieb ihnen auch anderes übrig?

[@moonziemoonzie5524]

Was there ever a separate soundtrack for this film? These are some seriously dope to 70s grooves!

[@weirdfishes9961]

Pretty rocking soundtrack.

[@АлександрСизоненко-с9б]

The reel has been remastered really well. And yeah, the music:)))

[@kriskris998]

What is the name of the music in 5:20 please!?

[@deko701]

I need to know too pls

[@parzivalthewanderer9687]

Seeing what an ugly mess Alexanderplatz is now compared to then, is a real shame. That nice open square with grass and tram access is so well balanced. Its just a tight chaotic mess now.

[@W.I.L_1917]

As someone with a family from the GDR and CCCP i appreciate this movie very much. Interesting to see how it was and get another perspective.

[@ws768]

This is a propaganda piece, not "how it was"...🙄

[@daeph123]

what is the CCCP

[@jochensch8821]

@@daeph123 Sowjet Union.

[@ernestkhalimov1007]

​@@daeph123USSR but in Russian alphabet

[@TheLocalLt]

The abbreviation for the Soviet Union is not “CCCP”, that’s just how the abbreviation “SSSR” looks when written in Cyrillic characters (S and R in Cyrillic happen to look like the C and P in the Latin alphabet, but this is just a coincidence)

[@williamisenberger1073]

I love the Police state jazz vibe of the music

[@ludwizDDR]

Super!

[@stevidente]

The algorithm brought me here but I watched the entire video because Mielke made me.

[@thefrench8847]

Do you also plan to upload any video related to Hungarian People's Republic?

[@MaximusandHistory]

I have actually considered looking into Hungary, as well other Warsaw Pact countries!

[@Marcel-uo9xn]

40 Jahre Sozialismus, 40 Jahre zu viel.

[@ph3733]

Without the 40 years of socialism we wouldn’t have all the workers benefits in the West. That competition forced capitalism to provide better working conditions than in the East.

[@hanbyol19]

And didn't manage to do it anyway ​@@ph3733

[@gerberjoanne266]

English subtitles would have been nice.

[@jensbrose]

Habe zu der Zeit in Berlin gedient. Palast war immer Anlaufpunkt,(ab 9:10). Aber Bilder wurden nicht angeschaut, die Tagesbar mit Gin-Tonic, gut essen und die Großveranstaltungen waren wichtiger.

[@jochensch8821]

Der Film zeigt Leute am Brandenburger Tor, ein Kommentar sagt es hätte einen Zaun gegeben, folglich konnte nicht jeder so nah ans Tor wie die Besucher im Film gezeigt werden. Wenn die Mauer, wie der Film sagt, dazu da ist die Faschisten draussen zu lassen, hätte man die DDR-Bürger ja ans Brandenburger Tor lassen können.

[@einbertalstein1394]

Interessant, bitte erzähl mehr. Ganz ehrlich: Habt ihr den Quatsch, der in diesen Propaganda-Streifen vorkam (zumindest teilweise) geglaubt? "Rotlichtbestrahlung" wurde das ja wohl auch im Jargon genannt? Wie war der Palast der Republik?

[@simotopolovac5384]

Anyone know the name of the painter who's exhibition the soldiers are viewing at 09:20?

[@josef-peterroemer5309]

Bernhard Heisig, also his Son is a painter Johannes Heisig

[@simotopolovac5384]

@josef-peterroemer5309 thank you good sir!

[@Dan-tf1zq]

Not seeing a lot of smiling faces in the east German version of the workers paradise. I do see a lot of police watching everyone however.

[@sqweege6432]

It’s not as spectacular as they wanna make it out to be. There’s plenty of other videos out there showing exactly how it was. And it was not good at all.

[@MaximusandHistory]

@@sqweege6432 The GDR actually had dozens of films documenting the poor living conditions of some of the cities, Berlin included. These issues were not only acknowledged, but recognized and documented by the state. It's a shame that the GDR was never able to find a balance between wasting money on the military to fend off a theoretical war with the West and finding solutions to improve the neglected urban areas that still looked like it was 1945.

[@MaximusandHistory]

This is literally a film about the state border with West Berlin, so not sure why you're surprised to see guard towers and police officers 😅

[@tst2363]

And if they laughed and smiled, you would have called it State Propaganda...

[@ernestkhalimov1007]

Non smiling is the average german ethos

[@dougtheviking6503]

We thought you would never be free. But here you are . Nice video from an eastern prospective.

[@Plisnensis]

Born in the GDR ❤

[@manuheber9011]

...visited by Bruce Springsteen in 1988!😆

[@РоманАнтонов-ф8ф]

Рождён в СССР ❤

[@holgerlutzer8846]

Geboren 1962 und stolz darauf mit vielen guten Werten erzogen worden zu sein. 👍 Es war nicht "alles" schlecht!

[@saytex-mu4xe]

@@holgerlutzer8846 Stimmt. Wir waren alle viel jünger. Sonst noch was?

[@merseydave1]

And now you have liberty and human rights ... something you did not have when you were Walled In !

[@AlexAlex-zv7fc]

Als junger Ungar habe ich die DDR oft besucht. Am Flughafen wurde ich regelmäßig durchsucht. An der Grenze in Westdeutschland haben sie mich nicht einmal angesehen.

[@denabraun1354]

Danke, genossen!

[@MaximusandHistory]

You're welcome!

[@FrankSchonfelder-si7ke]

Da war noch der Alex ...schön,und sauber🎉

[@vincentbutton5926]

Groovy video at eye level, but very drab from the skies. Lol at "the palace the people built"! Anyway, a question: Did East Germans who actually lived there in the 70s feel "occupied"? By that I mean feel controlled by a foreign state, the Soviets.

[@Nosedruul]

That is a good question. Surely the Soviet orgy of rape and murder was still in living memory for many. I wonder how many of the Berlin residents in the crowd scenes were the illegitimate 1945 children of Red Army soldiers?

[@ralffichtner9791]

First of judging by the words of the narrator, there is nothing groovy about this movie. It's rather spooky. In almost every city with more than 25,000 inhabitants there was a Soviet garrison. There were about half a million active occupation forces in a country with 17 million inhabitants. I still remember that frequently convoys led to broken roads. By the 1980s everything was run down, littered, contaminated with fuel and lubricants and what not. Interestingly, there were few clashes with locals. After all, East Germany was the showcase of the Eastern Bloc. It was actually the other way around, the Germans felt sorry for the Soviet soldiers. So did we felt "occupied"? Yes, but also more because of the repressions of our own authorities who did their best to be the better commies. And on the subject of the Wall and this bullshit movie. What do you call it when you're surrounded by a wall and you can't get out? In most parts of the world prison, I suspect.

[@jpip1382]

@@ralffichtner9791A good point made, the leaders of East Germany were left wing extremists such as Walter Ulbricht.

[@vincentbutton5926]

@@ralffichtner9791 Thank you for sharing!

[@NikonianSniper]

Please, somebodh tell me where I can find the soundtrack for this or something similar!

[@deko701]

I need to know too hahah

[@Thorscauldron]

0:43 Spot the lignite coal stack.

[@MrTerrorist]

I don't know if this was related or a coincidence but after watching the opening theme song from the Hungarian tv show "Linda", which inspired the X-Men animated series opening song, this video about East German border guards got recommended to me.

[@marcelosedy4703]

Bravo!

[@ricktaylor8262]

Very cool stuff.

[@SMGJohn]

Compare DDR to Germany of today, and there will be tears in your eyes.

[@miguelm.8889]

B-b-but muh democracy bro!

[@BenPanced]

"This is our contribution to the preservation of peace and to the progress of détente in Europe." All to a beat you can dance to.

[@Leonard-td5rn]

East Germany did as well as it did because it was German not because it was communist

[@MaximusandHistory]

Karl Marx was literally German lol

[@enuajsifoto]

What about China as compared to India? both countries were equally poor before communist revolution in China and today where is the capitalist India where English is widely spoken and cultural and economic ties to the west very vivid? How about Russia? a massive backward country that couldn't stand up to just a fraction of Austrian and German armies during WW1 and move forward just 20 years of communist industrialization and USSR was able to stand up to ALL of the continental Europe's economies which worked for the needs of Wehrmacht either by consenting or forced labor. USSR had to stand up not just to the economic might of continental Europe but also to their military might on the Russian front you found almost all of continental Europe armies were trying to conquer USSR and wipe out the communist system but USSR prevailed alone - the "western allies" joint the fight when Red Army was already on the eastern borders of Poland and the war was lost for the West. Similarities abound in the long Russian history and today's no different - you might find some dissenting voices like Victor Orban but all of Europe tries to conquer Russia but they will fail again.

[@HateTheIRS]

@@enuajsifotoUSA has largest world GDP. Checkmate

[@TimothySielbeck]

@@enuajsifoto The USSR was not the military powerhouse that you represent it as. It had quite a lot of help to defeat Germany that Germany's conquered territories did not give to its cause.

[@francisdec1615]

@@MaximusandHistory Karl Marx would most probably not have approved of the Soviet Union or DDR. REAL communism is stateless. The "communist" countries were/are not communist for real, since they just created new hierarchies after wiping out the old ones.

[@wojteks8887]

The soundtrack is great!

[@rickwong9049]

It does feel like 70s 18+ film opening and all the exposition before the scene come. Not helping the music kinda adds to it. 😅

[@MaximusandHistory]

Yep 😅

[@chriswiseman]

Wish I spoke German. DDR looks wonderful. People so happy. Wish I could have lived in this utopian society.

[@kaiguleikoff7742]

Mit dem Jahr 1979 ging MEINE aktive NVA-Zeit zu Ende und ab 1980 kehrte ICH in eine verantwortliche Arbeit in einem Landwirtschaftsbetrieb zurück. BERLIN war nicht weit entfernt und daher konnte ich oft in der "Hauptstadt der DDR" verweilen, bei meinen Dienstvorgesetzten und noch öfter in meiner Freizeit. BERLIN OST war das Schaufenster der DDR, wie BERLIN WEST für die BRD - obwohl dorthin nicht zugehörig.

[@jochensch8821]

Nun konnte jeder DDR Bürger direkt an das Brandenburger Tor, oder waren das ausgesuchte Leute? Jemand hat hier in den Kommentaren geschrieben Unter den Linden wäre ein Zaun gewesen das Brandenburger Tor wäre gar nicht zu sehen gewesen. Vor ein paar Jahren hatte ich ein Zimmer im ehem. Hotel Stadt Berlin am Alexanderplatz. Ein beeindruckendes Gebäude und das Zimmer lag im 32 Stock. Toilette und Bad waren in einem später eingesetzten Glaskasten im Zimmer. Die DDR hat das Hotel vermutlich noch mit Etagendusche und Etagen WC gebaut, was ich für einen Bau aus dem Jahr 1969 nicht gedacht hätte.

[@kaiguleikoff7742]

@@jochensch8821 Das Brandenburger Tor war zu DDR-Zeiten ein "militärischer Sperrbezirk" und konnte nicht besucht werden. Die Sicht auf das Tor war nicht behindert oder "versperrt." Das DDR-Interhotel "Stadt Berlin" gehörte zu der über die DDR verbreiteten Kette der Interhotels, die vor allem Besucher aus dem Westen "anlocken" sollte, die "Devisenbringer" waren.

[@rbir2653]

I love how they filmed the whole film without seeing a single trabant.

[@cambs0181]

It's funny how 70s East Berlin reminds me of 70s Birmingham.

[@statinskill]

Haha I was on a school trip in Scotland and the town we came through looked absolutely socialist. So I started narrating on your left you see the Karl Marx Prospekt. We continue down Stalin Boulevard to the Lenin Prospekt..

[@harrydoku8268]

Video makes you miss something you really shouldn't.

[@ГлебБондаренко-э9ц]

Healthy people i see. And no immigrants.

[@nhatban-tinhhoacuacaiepvan4139]

There are from socialist countries but not too many. And foreign students and workers are forced to return home when they finish their studies or their employment expires. Currently, immigration is too large in many European countries, North America, and Australia, not just Germany.

[@NoName-xo9pd]

Der Anfang erinnert mich an dieser Musik in den Drei Fragezeichen Hörspiele

[@Goldelse]

Pro Gloria et Patria.

[@diegofaulord7481]

Hi! Does someone know the name of the opening’s theme? Thanks

[@Goldelse]

🦅

[@stvdagger8074]

9:00 The Palace that the people have built for themselves - Well, that palace is gone now - After reunification, it was found to be full of asbestos and had to be torn down due to the massive contamination. - Strangely that hazardous material was used despite Asbestos being banned under DDR laws.

[@timp3931]

All the soldiers in this film need a good haircut.

[@MaximusandHistory]

I agree. The 1970's had really funky haircuts on both sides of the iron curtain. The NVA and Bundeswehr suffered from this problem hahaha.

[@Thorscauldron]

I thought a lot of the young soldiers were very good looking.

[@truvakaplan2376]

Wo sind die Deutschen Kommentaren? Nur zehn Jahre nach dieser Film kommt ein neues Kapitel der Geschichte!

[@Berlin-Kladow]

Miss those days of Berlin-West. Look at those beautiful images, clean, order, no graffiti, everything tidy, no rats, law abiding, everyone speaking German. Today it’s a disaster with not many Germans around , dirty, graffiti everywhere, most people speaking Arabic , Ukrainian or Russian.

[@MaximusandHistory]

This is a film of East Berlin, not west.

[@Berlin-Kladow]

@ agree, but back in 1970‘S-1980’s Berlin West was isolated and difficult to get to. It was easy to get to East Berlin after paying 50 DM and do shopping. The entire area both East and West were so different from today

[@peterfunfstuck8094]

​@@Berlin-Kladow EDIT: Holy cow! I should have completely read your statement .... I was merely talking about the area being in a bad state in terms of cleanliness and infrastructure back then more so than today ... I couldn't give a damn what language my neighbours speak as long as they're good neighbours....

[@ehrenmann35]

Rassistenschweine brauchen wir hier nicht.

[@martinmiessler5025]

Nazis raus ! 🇪🇺🇩🇪

[@AckzaTV]

its a good thing old Films were in 4k

[@MaximusandHistory]

Film doesn't have a resolution! But yes, it would be correct in saying that it does have an equivalence to 4K / 6K!

[@lucaissewell]

East Germany looks nice!

[@IkuisuudenKuluttaja]

Great footage! What is name of that song? starts from 1:20

[@MaximusandHistory]

I wish I knew!

[@deko701]

@@MaximusandHistoryif u find out pls let us know

[@bardo0007]

Beautiful East Germany , I wish we could go back in a time machine

[@silenthunteruk]

Only for a brief visit! You wouldn't want to live there!

[@TrevorBrass]

"Anti-fascist protective wall" - interesting term for the inter-German border wall. I was in Germany recently during the 35 anniversary of the fall. Very moving memorials in Berlin for those who died trying to escape to freedom. May Korea be unified one day just like Germany thankfully is now.

[@gula_rata]

The Bundeswehr needs to adopt the Wehrmacht look of the East Germany military. It makes Germany look more cool and badass!

[@НиколайИванов-н]

Unfortunately, the Bundeswehr threw all the military of the GDR into the street. Almost no one was left to serve.

[@vonwar0157]

The western allied and the Bundesrepublik did not want to look neither like Reichswehr of Weimar Republic, nor Wehrmacht 1933-45, so therefore they changed their uniforms so much. A pity yes because since Kaiser Zeit (until 1918) and beyond the looks of the German uniforms have been Stunning, we can only hope for them to re-instate some of this looks in future. Here you have a description of who did what: The design of German World War II uniforms was primarily influenced by several key figures and organizations: Hugo Boss: The fashion designer Hugo Boss was involved in creating uniforms for the Nazi party and the German military. His company produced uniforms for the SS (Schutzstaffel) and other branches of the military. Erich von Manstein: Although primarily a military strategist, he had some influence on the design of uniforms, particularly in terms of functionality and practicality. The Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda: This organization oversaw the aesthetic aspects of Nazi propaganda, including military uniforms, to ensure they conveyed the desired image of strength and unity. Various Military Officials and Tailors: Many military officials provided input on uniform design based on operational needs, while skilled tailors and designers executed the final designs. The overall aesthetic of German WWII uniforms was characterized by a mix of military practicality and a focus on creating a strong visual identity for the Nazi regime. The uniforms often featured distinctive insignia, colors, and cuts that set them apart from those of other nations.

[@gula_rata]

Not just the uniforms. Bundeswehr also needs to restore the Stechschritt or Paradeschritt (goosestepping) back in their marches.. That was part of German tradition long before any Nazi existed.. But they irrationally got rid of it because it supposedly looked Nazi.. It doesn't, it looks traditionally German.. Germany invented it. Today Chile and Russia are marching in a German influenced way, but itself Germany isn't.. Today, when only untrained German civilian marching bands can goosestep, but their own military can't, it is a pathetic situation. Hopefully the recent increase in common sense in Germany today such as AFD will lead them to restore their own cultural traditions.

[@timor64]

@@gula_rata Indeed when I visited East Berlin, the guards at the memorial would goosestep when changing the guard

[@МаксимШевченко-в8щ]

Какая же красивая форма у солдат была