The Great Sacrifice (1944): cast, story & where to watch
1944 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1944, The Great Sacrifice is a drama and romance film directed by Veit Harlan, running about 98 minutes.
What it’s about. Äls, a young woman from Sweden living in Hamburg in the summer months attracts a newly married explorer, Albrecht Froben who has just returned to his native city. But although Äls seems to be 'life itself', she suffers from a tropical disease which is slowly killing her. Froben is torn between Äls and his wife Octavia, who he seen as a kind of 'heavenly' counterpart to the earthy and beguiling Äls.
Who’s in it. The Great Sacrifice stars Carl Raddatz as Albrecht Froben, Irene von Meyendorff as Octavia Froben, Kristina Söderbaum as Aels Flodéen and Franz Schafheitlin as Mathias, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Great Sacrifice 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 Great Sacrifice page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Great Sacrifice tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Great Sacrifice (1944)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Great Sacrifice change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Great Sacrifice worth watching?
- The Great Sacrifice holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Great Sacrifice?
- The Great Sacrifice stars Carl Raddatz, Irene von Meyendorff, Kristina Söderbaum, Franz Schafheitlin and Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur.
- When was The Great Sacrifice released?
- The Great Sacrifice was released in 1944, with a runtime of about 98 minutes.