I accuse (1941): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1941, I accuse is a drama film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner, running about 125 minutes.

What it’s about. In this film, the wife of a renowned doctor becomes ill with multiple sclerosis. Trying to spare her beloved husband the ordeal, the woman turns to a family friend, Dr. Lang, to help end her life. When this doctor declines to help with the assisted suicide, however, she is forced to turn to her husband. After much soul-searching, Dr. Heyt, her husband, assists in her suicide. The act, however, is witnessed by a chambermaid, who reports him to the police. Dr. Heyt is put on trial for murder and, at first, Dr. Lang testifies against him in court. Soon, however, Dr. Lang is faced with a similar case in his professional practice and this, along with Dr. Heyt’s impassioned performance in court, convinces Dr. Lang that, in some instances, mercy killing may be the right thing to do. A very rare film, which, no matter on which side of the debate you stand, has relevance to this very day.

Who’s in it. I accuse stars Heidemarie Hatheyer as Hanna Heyt, Paul Hartmann as Professor Dr. Thomas Heyt, Mathias Wieman as Dr. Bernhard Lang and Margarete Haagen as Berta Link, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, I accuse has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch I accuse page.

If you liked it. Fans of I accuse tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.