The Grüninger File (2014)
A Swiss historical drama about one man's moral courage in the face of an unjust law, based on the true story of police commander Paul Grüninger.
The Grüninger File - Movie Information
- Original Title: Akte Grüninger
- Release Year: 2014
- Directed by: Alain Gsponer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: History, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 30, 2014 (Switzerland - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Akte Grüninger – Die Geschichte eines Grenzgängers (DE)
- Production Companies: C-Films, ZDF
- Production Countries: Switzerland
The Grüninger File - Plot
1938. Austria has been annexed by Nazi Germany, and Switzerland has closed its borders for Jewish refugees - a death sentence for thousands. But not all Swiss officials observe this inhuman order.
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The Grüninger File - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alain Gsponer
Main Cast
- Stefan Kurt
- Maximilian Simonischek
- Anatole Taubman
- Ursina Lardi
- Helmut Förnbacher
- Julia Jelinek
- Robert Hunger-Bühler
- Martin Klaus
- Beat Marti
- Aaron Hitz
Writers
- Bernd Lange
The Grüninger File - FAQs
Is The Grüninger File based on a true story?
Yes. The film is based on the real-life story of Paul Grüninger, a Swiss police commander in St. Gallen who falsified documents and backdated entry permits to help hundreds of Jewish refugees cross the Swiss border illegally in 1938. He was convicted and dismissed from service, but was posthumously rehabilitated decades later.
What happened to Paul Grüninger after his actions?
Paul Grüninger was convicted of official misconduct in 1940, dismissed from the police force, and stripped of his pension. He lived in poverty for the rest of his life. He was posthumously rehabilitated by Swiss authorities in 1995, and his conviction was officially annulled, recognizing him as a moral hero.
Who plays Paul Grüninger in the film?
Swiss actor Stefan Kurt portrays Paul Grüninger in the film. The supporting cast includes Maximilian Simonischek as journalist Robert Frei, Anatole Taubman as Sidney Dreifuss, and Ursina Lardi as Alice Grüninger, Paul's wife.
Where can you watch The Grüninger File?
Streaming availability for The Grüninger File varies by region. You can check current viewing options, including any subscription, rental, or purchase platforms available in your country, via JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information across all major services.
What is The Grüninger File about?
Set in 1938, the film follows Swiss police commander Paul Grüninger, who defies his government's order to close the border to Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-annexed Austria. Risking his career and freedom, he falsifies documents to allow hundreds of desperate people to enter Switzerland, in an act of quiet but profound moral courage.
Who directed The Grüninger File?
The Grüninger File was directed by Alain Gsponer, a Swiss filmmaker known for his work in both film and television. The screenplay was written by Bernd Lange, and the film was produced by C-Films in co-production with the German broadcaster ZDF.
What genre is The Grüninger File?
The Grüninger File is a historical drama. It draws on documented events from World War II-era Switzerland to tell a morally charged story about individual conscience, bureaucratic complicity, and the human cost of political indifference during one of history's darkest periods.
What are similar films to The Grüninger File?
Viewers who appreciate The Grüninger File may also enjoy Europa Europa (1990), a similarly gripping WWII survival drama, Flame & Citron (2008), a Danish wartime resistance film, and De Gaulle (2020), another European historical drama centered on a figure of moral and political conviction during wartime.
More About The Grüninger File
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