by Marcus H. Rosenmüller
When German Wehrmacht soldier Bernd Trautmann is taken prisoner in England towards the end of the Second World War, he cannot foresee that he is to become a British football legend. His life takes an abrupt turn when Jack Friar, the coach of provincial St. Helens, hears of the young man’s great talent during a POW football game. Bernd soon finds himself a free man, becomes a goalkeeper and falls in love with his coach’s daughter. When in 1949 Manchester City signs "Bert" as a professional goalkeeper, he is forced to leave St. Helens with a heavy heart. In Manchester, however, the hiring of a "Nazi" triggers a wave of indignation. Director Marcus H. Rosenmüller’s biopic TRAUTMANN is the portrait of a charismatic, former trench-trudging goalie legend.