Charite at War

Charité at War is a riveting and impactful German television drama, a sequel to the equally renowned series 'Charité' that aired on 2019. Presented by UFA Fiction, this six-episode series centres swiftly and strategically around Berlin's prestigious Charité hospital during the harrowing times of the Second World War. The series is an absorbing exploration of not only medicine and ethics but also humanity and survival under grave circumstances.

As paralleled to its predecessor, Charité at War takes a dynamic leap into a much darker and severe zeitgeist, illustrating how years of growth and innovation can drastically transpose under the shadow of war. The dichotomy lies not only in the time period, but equally so within the premises of the Charité hospital, which transforms from a vanguard of medical innovation to a reluctant tool under the National Socialist regime.

The main plot unfolds between 1943 and 1945, as the war reaches its apex, drawing the hospital staff into a dreadful rollercoaster of events. The series introduces you to a diverse array of characters from different societal strata, who, despite their personal beliefs and internal conflicts, come together to perform their duties amidst multifaceted moral dilemmas and war-induced hardships. Doctors, surgeons, nurses, students, and patients alike grapple with questions of human life, scientific advancement, fascist ideology, and personal principles, interweaving realistic human emotions in the daunting backdrop of wartime Berlin.

Charité at War does a commendable job of highlighting the ethical conundrums faced by medical professionals during the period. It lives within the grey area between 'right' and 'wrong', testing the boundaries of professionalism, loyalty, and humanity. The narrative is brought alive by a set of well-written and deeply relatable characters who oscillate between extreme courage and overwhelming fear, making desperate attempts to make sense of the world collapsing around them whilst maintaining their professional duties and personal loyalties.

The central character of the series is Anni Waldhausen, a nurse at Charité who is secretly aiding the efforts of the German Resistance. Her character embodies the critical turmoil of the time as she struggles to balance her personal beliefs, professional responsibilities, and her endeavours for the resistance, all while caring for her three children. The series powerfully explores Anni's journey of resilience and determination that underlines her fight for survival and hope.

Charité at War also offers an intimate lens into the life of young doctor Artur Waldhausen, Anni's husband who holds strong Nazi beliefs. His character offers the viewer a peek into the psyche of a man who is torn between his ideological principles and the desperate reality of war. A significant portion of the plot narrates Artur's shift from an ardent Nazi follower to a man reconciling with the actuality of the crumbling Nazi regime.

The series adeptly provides historical insights into numerous major medical and scientific advancements of the time, including the invention of penicillin, the development of modern anaesthesia, the evolution of psychotherapy, and the child euthanasia programme launched under Hitler's command. These vital segments are seamlessly incorporated into the narrative, thus cementing the series' worth as a key historical and medical text.

Graphically, the series is steeped in a cinematic atmosphere that accurately mirrors the bleak wartime imagery intermixed with the bustle of a working hospital. Whether it's the white-skinned walls of the Charité hospital or war-stricken Berlin's ravaged streets, every scene has been crafted with an intense focus to detail. Each shot reflects a palpable aura underscoring the crux of daily life under Nazi rule.

On the whole, Charité at War is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of medical ethics, societal norms, politics, and human passions in the context of World War II. With a gripping narrative, brilliant character development, accurate historical depiction, and first-rate production values, the series serves as a viscerally impactful viewing experience that resonates long after the screen has darkened.