In Danger and Deep Distress, the Middleway Spells Certain Death (German: In Gefahr und größter Not bringt der Mittelweg den Tod, a quote from Friedrich von Logau (1605–1655)) is a 1974 drama film directed by Alexander Kluge and Edgar Reitz. It is set in Frankfurt and tells the story of two women, one who sleeps with many men and steals their wallets, and one who is a spy for East Germany. The film mimics the style of documentaries, with actual documentary footage from the city (like the quote, found on a cellar wall and used as title) as well as essayistic aspects.
It was released in Germany on 18 December 1974. It received the Deutscher Filmpreis for Best Editing and Best Musical Dramaturgy.
Cast
Dagmar Bödderich as Inge Maier
Jutta Winkelmann as Rita Müller-Eisert
Alfred Edel as Bieringer
Norbert Kentrup as Max Endrich
Jutta Thomasius as J. Thomasius
Hans Drawe as Dietzlaff