Der Tunnel is a made-for-television German film released in 2001 and loosely based on true events in Berlin following the closing of the East German border in August 1961 and the subsequent construction of the Berlin Wall. Roland Suso Richter directed the film. The theatrical release is 20 minutes shorter than the original television version. The subtitled English version was not available until 2005. The central character of the film is Harry Melchior, played by Heino Ferch and based on the real tunneler, Hasso Herschel. Despite being imprisoned for several years for his role in the June... 1953 uprising in East Germany, Melchior competes for and wins the national swimming championship in 1961. With the aid of a false passport and disguise, Harry succeeds in fleeing to West Berlin. His best friend, Matthis manages to escape through the underground sewer, but Matthis's pregnant wife Carola was not so lucky and remained in East Berlin. Harry's beloved sister, Lotte and her husband and daughter are ambivalent about leaving the confines of the GDR.
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| Release date: | January 21, 2001 |
| Directed by: | Roland Suso Richter |
| Runtime: | 157 Minutes |
| Producer: | Nico Hofmann, Ariane Krampe |
| Screenplay by: | Johannes W. Betz |
| Genre: | Thriller |