Castle Itter Research Paper

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The first part introduces the captives of Austria’s Castle Itter. All but one (Cuckovic) barely resemble prisoners at all. The French notables possess fine amenities, stroll through the walled gardens, and play games at leisure. Cuckovic (Emir Kusturica), on the other hand, is Yugoslavian, the Castle electrician, and a relatively dirty-looking outsider. He insists he is being held against his will, but the other prisoners chuckle at his innocent demeanor and refuse to believe him. The S.S. guards jokingly say that he is ‘free to go anywhere he pleases… as long as it’s within the grounds’. ‘Captain Wimmer (Ulrich Noethen) has two hobbies’, the guards say, ‘painting and torture. And the captain needs his light to paint by. If it goes out, he’ll …show more content…

It is now spring of 1945. Germany’s supplies, food, and fortunes have been declining for the past year. A shortage of fuel means that the castle’s electric lights are slowly being replaced with lanterns and candles. The prisoners see signs that the regime is collapsing, yet, this may also mean Nazi leaders will attempt to cover up their crimes and kill them to do so. Nevertheless, a constant stream of S.S. officers and their families strode through Castle Itter on their way east to escape the Ally advance. On April 30, the “butcher of Dachau”, Eduard Weiter (Heinz Hoenig), settles in for a night’s stay with his family. An apoplectic and obese man with the face of a brute, he apparently ordered the execution of around 2000 prisoners before leaving Dachau. Castle Itter’s captives think that his arrival surely means their demise as well. Only two bullets were fired that night by Weiter however – one through his heart, then one through his brain. The village priest rebuffs the S.S. minions when they attempt to bury him in the cemetery, so his body is put in an unmarked grave outside the castle …show more content…

machine gun fire pounds the exterior walls and blows out the housing block’s narrow windows. An antitank gun shell is lobbed into General Gamelin’s empty room. A second shell hits the tank. Basse jumps from the tank and runs for cover behind the gate just before the exploding gas tanks turn the vehicle into an inferno (cliché, yes – but true). The tank obliterated, the S.S. swarm from the tree line to the castle gate.

Several of the helpful Germans are killed or wounded by machine gun fire. Secretary Mabire tends to their injuries. Attempting to spot the position of the S.S.’s tank, Gangel is killed on the castle’s rooftop observation post by a sniper.

Cuckovic, Major John Kramers, and their party are approaching the area of activity now. They meet Elliot (with his tank and troops) at the town bridge. They can hear and see the battle raging up on the hill. Kramers attempts to reach Lee by radio, but is unable to do so. French Lieutenant Lutten notices an undamaged public building. They find the lines uncut and are able to simply call the castle. Lee reports to Kramers that they are being overrun and are extremely low on ammunition. Before he can relay complete information regarding enemy numbers, equipment, and position however, the connection is severed. Kramers is left pondering the best method of

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