Children, Mother, and the General (1955): cast, story & where to watch
1955 · Film · ★ 5.4
Released in 1955, Children, Mother, and the General is a drama and war film directed by László Benedek, running about 110 minutes.
What it’s about. Laslo Benedek interrupted his thriving Hollywood career to return to Europe as director of the German Kinder, Mutter und ein General (Children, Mother and the General). The film is set in Berlin during the last days of WW II. Desperate for manpower, Hitler has ordered that all able-bodied teenaged boys --some as young as 15 -- be drafted into the army. Frau Asmussen (Hilde Krahl) is one of five mothers who learn to their horror that their boys have been slated to be cannon fodder on behalf of the Third Reich. Asmussen and the other mothers head directly to the front to plead with the German generals for the lives of their sons. Not directly an indictment of Germany's involvement in (or incitement of) the recent war, Kinder, Mutter und ein General stresses the futility and heartbreak of all wars everywhere.
Who’s in it. Children, Mother, and the General stars Hilde Krahl as Helene Asmussen, Ewald Balser as General, Therese Giehse as Elfriede Bergmann and Ursula Herking as Dr. Behrens, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.4/10, Children, Mother, and the General has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Children, Mother, and the General page.
If you liked it. Fans of Children, Mother, and the General tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Children, Mother, and the General (1955)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Children, Mother, and the General change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Children, Mother, and the General worth watching?
- Children, Mother, and the General holds an audience score of 5.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and war. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Children, Mother, and the General?
- Children, Mother, and the General stars Hilde Krahl, Ewald Balser, Therese Giehse, Ursula Herking and Alice Treff.
- When was Children, Mother, and the General released?
- Children, Mother, and the General was released in 1955, with a runtime of about 110 minutes.