Some high-ranking cultural official in the parties including Alexander Abusch, Kurt Hager, and Hans Rodenberg said, "The role of the party as a battle group as a unified revolutionary force is pressed too strongly into the background. This happens. . . [because] the problem of the moral behavior of the party secretary comes to the fore . . . The party actually appears as an inquisitional force" Additionally, other officials disagreed with the film's neutral attitude towards socialism.Aussprache zum Film "Spur der Steine" in der Hauptverwaltung Film . . . am 11. Marz 1966, 7-8, SAPMO DY30/IVA2/2024/36
