Great Freedom No. 7 (digital quality)

"Great Freedom No. 7" (also known as "Port of Freedom" or “Great Freedom No. 7”) is a 1944 German musical drama film, set in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg, follows the story of Hannes Kröger, a singing sailor, who falls in love with Gisa, the former lover of his deceased brother. The plot centers around Hannes's conflicting desires to pursue love, stay in the cabaret, or return to the sea. The film was notable for its use of color and its more nuanced portrayal of German life during wartime.

Directed by Helmut Kaeutner in 1943/44, this film enjoyed enormous postwar popularity in both East and West Germany. Kaeutner makes stunning use of the new Agfacolor material, and Hamburg never looked more mystical. The film was shot on location and in Berlin, but after massive air raids on both cities, was completed in Prague. Goebbels didn't particularly like this film and forbade it to be shown in Greater Germany. Therefore, German audiences only got to see this movie after 1945. Hans Albers is brilliant, and for fans of his work, this movie is an absolute must. The movie also features a couple of good songs, sung by Hans Albers. "La Paloma" is probably the most remembered tune of this film.