In a series of dramatic and powerful events a German soldier from East Germany named Martin Rauch's story, a 24-year-old naïve German soldier, was appointed as a spy. The spy's mission is to storm the hotel room, where NATO chief analyst Heinrich Meyer lives, to steal a dangerous secret report for East Germany. Martin, after being a simple border guard, was given the task of hiding in the ranks of the German West Army to do the job. Martin has his primary mission as a spy for East Germany and his mission lies in helping his mother, who suffers from diabetes, both of which seem exciting and dangerous for him at this age.
The premiere episode of Deutschland 83 delivers an excellent mix of coming of age character drama and espionage derring-do. For viewers not allergic to subtitles, it's well worth watching.
Deutschland 83 is a stylish take on the spy genre that carefully balances its humor with high stakes, and with Nay as an anchor, promises that this is a spy caper worth a few summer weeks.
It's not as intense a viewing experience as The Americans... this is more of a straightforward, slightly lighter spy thriller, with lots of tension about whether our hero will be caught and if he'll ever be allowed to return home.
Deutschland 83 is a genuine corker, with flashes of graphic style-an angular black-and-white dress, a carefully arranged drawer of cigarettes, cash, and Nescafé.
Deutschland 83 can be a little clunky at times, and most of it is subtitled. Nevertheless, it's a taut thriller with some cool '80s spy moments - near-miss escapes with sexual elements.