Casting the "Strangest Battle" of WWII: How We Filmed "Battle for Castle Itter" (2025) in Belgrade
This post explores the incredible true story of the Battle for Castle Itter—the only moment in WWII where American and German soldiers fought side-by-side to rescue French VIPs. We take a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 independent film adaptation, a raw and gritty war drama directed by Maximilian Elfeldt and co-produced by The Asylum, Not a Funeral Home, and Belgrade’s own Red Production. Key Highlights: International Synergy: A landmark US-Serbian collaboration filmed entirely in Belgrade, utilizing historic sites like the Kalemegdan Fortress. 4cast Spotlight: A full showcase of our casting work, featuring an international ensemble led by Daniel Grogan and supported by a powerhouse of local talent including Frano Lasić, Matija Gredić, and Staša Nikolić. Streaming Now: Details on where to find the film on major platforms like Tubi and Apple TV.
4cast team
4castalents@gmail.com
Casting the "Strangest Battle" of WWII: How We Brought "Battle for Castle Itter" (2025) to Belgrade
Founded just two years ago in Belgrade, Serbia, 4cast was established to bridge the gap between international talent and local production. One of our landmark early projects was the 2025 Battle for Castle Itter.
An Unlikely Alliance: The Story of Schloss Itter
The Battle for Castle Itter tells a story so strange it could be mistaken for World War II fan fiction. It marks the only moment in the war when American and German soldiers joined forces with French prisoners of war—including former Prime Ministers and a tennis legend—to fight a common enemy.
Bringing a War Epic to Serbia
Rather than a glossy, high-budget blockbuster, this 2025 release delivers a raw, independent war drama. Directed by Maximilian Elfeldt and produced by The Asylum (USA), Not a Funeral Home (USA), and Red Production (Serbia), the film emphasises the grit and human tension of the siege.
Our work at 4cast brought together a powerful regional cast to anchor this historic drama. We are proud to highlight the full ensemble that brought these characters to life:
The Cast
- Daniel Grogan as Captain John "Jack" C. Lee Jr. – The cigar-chomping American commander.
- Frano Lasić as Prime Minister Paul Reynaud – The resolute French statesman.
- Matija Gredić as Major Josef "Sepp" Gangl – The heroic defecting German officer.
- Staša Nikolić as Christiane Mabire – A vital member of the French delegation.
- Laurent Rouy as Prime Minister Édouard Daladier – The fierce political rival to Reynaud.
- Miša Berić as Jean Borotra – The legendary tennis star turned resistance runner.
- Boris Lukman as Lieutenant Harry Basse – The frontline American support.
- Petar Arsić as Andreas Krobot – The brave resistance messenger.
- Uglješa Spasojević as Hauptsturmführer Kurt-Siegfried Schrader – The conflicted SS defector.
- Marko Filipović as Private Pollock – Representing the gritty US defenders.
- Aleksandar Trmčić as Oberführer Georg Bochmann – The menacing SS antagonist.
- Svetislav Marković as Private Officer
- Arsenije Berić
- Fedor Đorović
- Jack Dimich
- Nikola Pavlović
We shot the full feature movie in just a week, working synchronously on a mutual vision. And made great new friends and collaborators along the way.
Why Belgrade is a Top 5 Filming Destination
The production of Battle for Castle Itter serves as a perfect case study for why Belgrade has surged as a premier filming location. The city offers a unique architectural versatility that few locations can match:
- Kalemegdan Fortress: Provided the perfect weathered, historic European setting for the castle's defences.
- New Belgrade: Ideal for the stark, brutalist, or modern backdrops required in diverse productions (we didn't use it for this one).
- International Synergy: The energy of international crews mixing with local Serbian talent creates a world-class environment that is both efficient and creatively inspiring.
Where to Stream "Battle for Castle Itter"
If you missed the limited release, you can now find the film on major global platforms. It is currently available for streaming on Tubi and Apple TV.