MovieChat Forums > Der Tunnel (2001) Discussion > Why didn't Heiner just jump the wall?

Why didn't Heiner just jump the wall?

posted 15 years ago by truejustice
7 replies | jump to latest

That's one thing that didn't play out well in this film. Carola approaches him after leaving the building in which they're doing the digging, and he's on the other side of the wall putting in place bricks that had recently been knocked down by the bus. He approaches her, holding a brick, and tosses her a note. Since the wall was so low at that point, and he had direct access to it, why didn't he simply jump the wall?

I understand that Heiner might have been hesitant because he suspected that Carola was cheating on him. The problem with that is, before that's even cleared up, and before Carola can even explain, he tries to jump the wall (and, of course, gets killed).

Any thoughts?

Even with this bit of illogic, I still loved this movie.

[–] ozguny 15 years ago

Yes he could.

By the way Carola was Matthis' wife. Heiner's lover was Friederike 'Fritzi' Scholz.

[–] kateforpr 14 years ago

Fritzi, not Carola, was the name of the character who was in love with Heiner.

[–] jnmohr111 13 years ago

Because there were guards with guns and even machine guns watching them, only after becoming jealous he gives up all care and precaution.

[–] LadyAnne608 11 years ago

^He could easily have jumped the wall the first time with no harm seeing as the guards can't do anything to him once he's on the other side. It's the only thing in the movie that bothered me.

All wish to possess knowledge, but few are willing to pay the price.

[–] LAT71 11 years ago

I think the guards were much closer and more alert at the point where the reconstruction was taking place than the guards simply carrying out standard patrol duties when he makes his unsuccessful attempt later.

It's because the suspicion of Fritzi cheating on him remains unresolved and nags at him that he gets desperate and makes his reckless, doomed attempt later in the film.

I know that the film is based on a true story, I'm not sure how many specific details are faithful to the actual escapees accounts and how many are added for entertainment purposes.

It might be worth checking if Fritzi's fiance's actions are inspired by specific real life events which would explain the script writer's decision.

[–] PerryW 11 years ago

I thought Heiner was Fritzi's fiance?? Along those lines: Am I the only person who wondered about Fritzi's motives?? I found the sex scene disgusting NOT because of the sex but because the little slut had just seen her fiance, whom she CLAIMED to LOVE, killed--then drops her panties for the other guy the minute she walks in the door!! How can she have been working to free a fiance & forget him SO QUICKLY?? WHAT WERE her real MOTIVES IN helping the tunnel diggers?? Informant??

[–] Lovatic 10 years ago

I think Fritzi felt guilty and responsible for her fiancé's death and has become suicidal. She has been withholding her feelings towards Harry and by having sex with him made her feel more guilty and gave her some sort of rationale to end her own life.