The Promise (1995): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1995, The Promise is a drama and romance film directed by Margarethe von Trotta, running about 115 minutes. “A love, a hope, a wall.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. East-Berlin, 1961, shortly after the erection of the Wall. Konrad, Sophie and three of their friends plan a daring escape to Western Germany. The attempt is successful, except for Konrad, who remains behind. From then on, and for the next 28 years, Konrad and Sophie will attempt to meet again, in spite of the Iron Curtain. Konrad, who has become a reputed Astrophysicist, tries to take advantage of scientific congresses outside Eastern Germany to arrange encounters with Sophie. But in a country where the political police, the Stasi, monitors the moves of all suspicious people (such as Konrad's sister Barbara and her husband Harald), preserving one's privacy, ideals and self-respect becomes an exhausting fight, even as the Eastern block begins its long process of disintegration.

Who’s in it. The Promise stars Meret Becker as Sophie I, Corinna Harfouch as Sophie II, Anian Zollner as Konrad I and August Zirner as Konrad II, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Promise has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Promise page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Promise tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.