Erkan & Stefan
This 2000 Bullyparade-related film is one of several plots in the “Erkan und Stefan” line. In fact, John Friedmann’s acting stage name was Erkan Maria Moosleitner, until his real identity was discovered. His “partner in… Erkan & Stefan
Bis Gleich
This 2014 short film (also available on Amazon), marketed as a Drama-Romance, shows us a likely familiar story – the views of the neighborhood and how one variable of this time affects our view. Some… Bis Gleich
Duell der Brüder – Die Geschichte von Adidas und Puma
This 2016 Docu-Drama tells the story of two brothers, Adi and Rudi Dassler, whose brotherly relationship deteriorated in such a way that resulted in the formation of two popular athletic shoe companies. Adi is played… Duell der Brüder – Die Geschichte von Adidas und Puma
Dracula: Die wahre Geschichte der Vampire
This 2013 ZDF production is marketed as a historical documentary. It’s also currently available on Amazon Prime – get your Halloween viewing in while it’s available! This film is only 44 minutes long. It’s very… Dracula: Die wahre Geschichte der Vampire
Jack the Ripper
This 2016 thriller (available on Amazon Prime in its original German!) centers around the story of the Whitechapel murders. Sonja Gerhardt, whom we know from Sommer and die wilden Hühner, plays our main character, Anna… Jack the Ripper
666 – Traue keinem, mit dem du schläfst
This 2002 film is a comedy version of Goethe’s Faust, featuring Jan Josef Liefers and Armin Rohde. Jan Josef Liefers plays Faust. He got his start acting in the DDR, and we’ve likely seen him… 666 – Traue keinem, mit dem du schläfst
Die Unsichtbaren
This 2017 historical drama focuses on the Jews still living in Germany in 1943, when Goebbels declared German “Jew-free.” This is based on 4 true stories, and the young people who survived this time were… Die Unsichtbaren
Die Macht der Bilder: Leni Riefenstahl
This 1993 documentary covers the life of Leni Riefenstahl, detailing not only her involvement in the propaganda of WWII, but also attempts to understand her as an artist without the bias of history. It is… Die Macht der Bilder: Leni Riefenstahl
Meine schöne Bescherung
This 2007 Christmas comedy centers around a “patchwork” family, who all comes together to celebrate Christmas. Alongside Martina Gedeck and Heino Ferch, many other familiar faces show up in this film. Jazmin Tabatabai, whom we… Meine schöne Bescherung
Der Bockerer
This 1981 film (Teil I) is the story of a butcher and his navigation of his new – Nazi – surroundings. This post also covers Teil II, Österreich ist frei, which was released in 1996.… Der Bockerer
Die Grenze
This 2010 film starring Benno Fürmann, Katja Riemann, and Thomas Kretschmann is a drama set in modern day, centered around politics. Marie Bäumer is a name we should know by now. One of the main… Die Grenze
Die Halbstarken
This 1996 Til Schweiger film is about teenage rebels and their dreams for easy money. There’s not much to say about this film, honestly. It was a TV Movie, and most of the actors remained… Die Halbstarken
Bibi und Tina
The 2014 film is the first in a series of four musical-style films dating through 2017. All are part of the Bibi Blocksberg storylines, but take place when Bibi is a teenager. This post will… Bibi und Tina
Steiner – Das eiserne Kreuz, 2. Teil
Although this 1979 film is originally in German, English, and French, carries an original German title, was produced in West Germany, and stars several German speaking actors, it is obvious with the dubbing quality that… Steiner – Das eiserne Kreuz, 2. Teil
Die Freunde der Freunde
This 2002 film featuring Matthias Schweighöfer, Florian Stetter, and Jessica Schwarz, explores relationships of all types. There is some interesting styling in the video for this film, which may make for an interesting discussion in… Die Freunde der Freunde
Die wilden Kerle 4
This is the fourth film of a series of six. The post for the first film can be found Here. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten my hands on the rest of the films yet – keep… Die wilden Kerle 4
Nichts bereuen
This 2001 film featuring Daniel Brühl, Jessica Schwarz, and Denis Moschitto is a romantic comedy about a young man who tries to win the attention and affection of a former high school classmate. As far… Nichts bereuen
Die wilden Hühner
This post will cover the first film, released in 2006. There is a post for the final film at Die wilden Hühner und das Leben. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten my hands on the middle film,… Die wilden Hühner
Judgement at Nuremberg
This 1961 U.S. film covers the trials of the war crimes of WWII. This film is originally in English. The German dubbing is – shall we say tolerable, especially given the release year. Featuring Spencer… Judgement at Nuremberg
Der Untergang
This 2004 film starring Bruno Ganz shows the final days of Hitler as reported by his last secretary. It is important to remember the 1955 film, Der letzte Akt, which also used Traudl Junge as… Der Untergang
Jerry Cotton
This 2010 comedy is a parody of crime movies such as Bond films, centered in the FBI. Think Johnny English. The most famous faces we see may be Christian Tramitz, Christiane Paul, Moritz Bleibtreu, Heino… Jerry Cotton
Zwei Weihnachtsmänner
This 2008 romantic comedy follows the trip home for two very different men. It’s a great lesson in attitude! This post covers both Teil 1 and Teil 2. I wouldn’t recommend one without the other,… Zwei Weihnachtsmänner
Unser bester Mann
This 1983 East German comedy follows a sort of clumsy and socially awkward man in Berlin in his quest to find an attractive young lady and starts a new job. This film has some fun… Unser bester Mann
Das weiße Band
This 2009 historical drama features Christian Friedel and a village full of people who all seem to know something more than any outsider. It leads us down a path of suspenseful mystery and we untangle… Das weiße Band
Das kleine Gespenst
Taken from Otfried Ostpreußler’s children’s book, this 2013 film stars a little ghost who awakes at night to have his adventures. Caspar fans should particularly enjoy this film! Potentially the most famous of the cast… Das kleine Gespenst
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
This 1997 Til Schweiger film is billed as a criminal comedy, but could just as easily be labeled a drama-comedy. It centers around two terminally ill men and the choices they make before they die.… Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Kartoffelsalat
This 2015 Otto Waalkes film is a comedy/horror. It features similar humor as Scary Movie meets Napoleon Dynamite, for reference. Besides Otto, many of the cast have only ever been in this film, or have… Kartoffelsalat
Der Krieger und die Kaiserin
This film, released in 2000, is full of A-list actors, and of course the famous Tom Tykwer as director. It is billed as a drama-romance. Taking place in a mental institution, the setting lends itself… Der Krieger und die Kaiserin
Free Rainer
This 2007 film with Moritz Bleibtreu centers around a TV manager who is frustrated due to the bad shows he is forced to show. We see some interesting dreams this causes him to have as… Free Rainer
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex
This 2008 Moritz Bleibtreu film is based on the true story of the Red Army Faction (RAF) and its actions during the 1960s and 70s. The styling of this film makes it look like a… Der Baader Meinhof Komplex
Berlin ‘48
This documentary shows Germany in the post-war era, especially focusing on the Berlin Airlift. This particular documentary was originally in English and the titles and other written information are not translated into German. I’m writing… Berlin ‘48
Bullyparade der Film
This 2017 film version of Bullyparade brings back all of the favorite stories! Much of the cast is the same as the Bully films and show tend to be. One important addition is Anette, played… Bullyparade der Film
7 Zwerge: Der Wald ist nicht genug
It had been so long since I had originally written the post on the first film that I had forgotten I meant to write these separately! This 2006 sequel stars most of the same actors… 7 Zwerge: Der Wald ist nicht genug
1 1/2 Ritter
This 2008 Til Schweiger comedy takes hits at Knight’s Tale and plenty of other pieces of culture and history. As in many of Til Schweiger’s films, this one is filled with familiar faces for the… 1 1/2 Ritter
Die Nibelungen (Siegfried; Kriemhilds Rache)
These Fritz Lang films from 1924 follow the famous stories of Siegfried, beginning with the sword that he forged to slay the dragon. The actor playing King Etzel in Kriemhilds Rache probably goes down in… Die Nibelungen (Siegfried; Kriemhilds Rache)
Christiane F.: Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo
This 1981 film features the music of David Bowie. There is a lot to be said about this film. It is very educational. From the underground culture in Berlin in this time to the struggles… Christiane F.: Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo
Die Fälscher
Based on Operation Bernhard, this 2007 war film with August Diehl and Karl Markovichs is the story of a Jewish man whose skills in counterfeiting become well known among the Nazis. This film shows various… Die Fälscher
Good Bye Lenin!
This 2003 film with Daniel Brühl sees the differences between East and West Germany through a different lens than most films. The premise of this one is a fragile mother who falls into a coma… Good Bye Lenin!
Nirgendwo in Afrika
Released in 2001, this film centers around a Jewish family that must leave 1930s Germany, settling in Kenya. Interestingly, the actress who plays Jettel, Juliane Köhler, also played Eva Braun in Der Untergang. Her husband… Nirgendwo in Afrika