Based on Erich Maria Remarque's novel of the same name, Douglas Sirk's A Time to Love and a Time to Die is set in the devastating ruin of burnt-out Germany during the final days of World War Two. Amid this tumult and desolation is Private Ernst Graeber (John Gavin) who, having been sent home on leave from the Russian front, finds his town destroyed by Allied bombing. Frantically searching for his parents, Ernst encounters his childhood friend Elizabeth Kruse (Lilo Pulver), the daughter of a doctor who has been removed to a concentration camp. In spite of the horror of their surroundings and their close proximity to death, Ernst and Elizabeth find hope in their love for one another. Together they try to wrest sanity from a world shattered by fear and hatred.

Featuring a cameo appearance by the novel's author, Sirk's penultimate film is one of his most rarely seen and discussed works, but is one that back in 1958 was instrumental in bringing him to the attention of critics and theorists worldwide. Sirk fans can rejoice, as Eureka Entertainment are to release the film for the very first time on UK DVD on 10th November 2008 at the RRP of £15.99. No extra features are listed.