This film version of the Heinrich Böll novel, published only a year before the film was released. It is also the directorial debut of Margarethe von Trotta, who later went on to direct Rosenstraße. In… Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum
Released in 2004, this Star Trek/Star Wars/ all things Sci-fi spoof is enjoyable for most Sci-fi nerds like myself. The idea for this film started as skits in the comedy show “Bullyparade” in much the… (T)Raumschiff Surprise
Jetzt oder nie: Zeit ist Geld, otherwise known to my students as “old ladies robbing banks,” is a drama-comedy released in 2000. There are serious dramatic points – the senior citizens needing money to accomplish… Jetzt oder nie – Zeit ist Geld
This 2017 film deals with the issue of women’s rights, 1971 in a village in Switzerland. We see some comparison throughout the world and in larger cities versus this small town and what it means… Die göttliche Ordnung
Haven’t gotten enough Til Schweiger posts yet? Good, because here’s another. And this one also features his daughter, Emma, and son Valentin (credited here as Florian) plays a bit part as well. In fact, Til… Honig im Kopf
Another one of Til Schweiger’s early films, the beginning of this 1993 film might be interesting for boxing fans. Beyond that, however, we find a man looking for a new direction in life, seeing himself… Ebbie’s Bluff
This 1981 film, directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, is a West German production, but several of the actors are speaking other languages and then are dubbed into German, which may be distracting for some viewers.… Lili Marleen
This documentary-comedy was released in 2014 and talks about the family histories of Donald Trump and the Heinz Ketchup dynasty, and the modern-day culture of their home town, Kallstadt. We also follow Kallstadters as they… Kings of Kallstadt
This 2014 film is the second in so far five crime-comedies. It is set in a generic Bavarian village, and as such includes dialect. Potential issues for the educational setting: – There are some swear… Winterkartoffelknödel
Please note: there are three wilden Hühner films. This post focuses on the final one, released in 2009. This film transitions our main characters into the older teenage years, when troubles are much different than… Die wilden Hühner und das Leben
Based on the true story of the man who brought Eichmann to justice, this 2015 film touches on the personal as well as professional life of Fritz Bauer and his assistant, Heinz Mahler. Fritz Bauer… Der Staat gegen Fritz Bauer
Metropolis is a movie way ahead of its time. One might even say many of the ideas are advanced today. It is a Sci-fi silent film, released in 1927, focusing on two classes: the lower… Metropolis
Anatomie is an awesome thriller dealing with medical school, secret societies, and, well, anatomy. There is nudity, though the nudity in most scenes it is in a medical view rather than sexual. Franka Potente plays… Anatomie (1 and 2)
Lola rennt was originally released in 1998, which means the first time I watched it, it was newly released while I was an exchange student in Germany. It was among the first German movies I… Lola rennt
A film about adults who had been college roommates coming back together because they can’t afford their own places, and others don’t want them. They end up in a house with mostly young students, and… Wir sind die neuen
Released in 2004, this film began as a novella by Austrian author Adalbert Stifter in 1845. The story begins in a winter storm during the holidays. We learn the back story of two young adults,… Bergkristall
This is a film version, released in 2016, of a TV show that ran from 2010-2012. Interestingly, they were able to use much of the same cast. Janina Fautz is the headliner of this film.… Allein gegen die Zeit
Technically this is a TV show rather than a movie, but only 5 episodes were done, so the length is about the same. This one is for the younger kids, but pieces may be interesting… Der Löwe ist los
Released in 2003, this film is great for anyone who is interested in the history of World War II. It is the story of Christian women in Germany whose Jewish husbands were detained apart from… Rosenstraße
This 2017 version of the Erich Kästner classic book is already a German teacher favourite. For those who don’t know the story, it’s a “Parent Trap” story, where identical twins Lotte and Luise meet at… Das doppelte Lottchen
Merry Christmas takes place during World War I. The movie is done in German, French, and English (Scottish accents), allowing each of the sides to be played by actors from the actual countries. We are… Joyeux Noel
Released in 2011, this is a German adaptation of the famous Mark Twain novel, so most of you don’t need a plot summary… I would hope! Benno Fürmann plays Indianer Joe and Joachim Król is… Tom Sawyer
This 2007 animated film is an adaptation of skits originally found in Bully Parade years earlier. It is a parody of Sissi stories for those who understand the popularity of Kaiserin Elisabeth and the stories… Lissi und der wilde Kaiser
This 1999 version of Erich Kästner’s novel centers around a young boy and girl who are best friends with completely different home lives. Anton’s situation (single mother who is sick and unable to work) may… Pünktchen und Anton
This spoof on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 2004. Otto Waalkes, Martin Schneider, Nina Hagen and her daughter Cosma Shiva Hagen, Atze Schröder, and many many other German comedians came together… 7 Zwerge: Männer allein im Wald
Released in 2010, this movie is a parody of Ocean’s Eleven, filled with famous German comedians, including Otto Waalkes and Sky du Mont. This film is enjoyable whether or not you have seen Ocean’s Eleven.… Otto’s Eleven
The first film was released in 1991, shortly after the fall of the Wall. The first film explores the cultural differences between East Germans and western areas. Our main characters are taking a trip to… Go Trabi Go, 1 and 2
Released in 2008, this film takes place during World War I, following the famous Baron von Richthofen. Der rote Baron is filled with modern stars: Til Schweiger, Matthias Schweighöfer, and even Lena Headey (of Game… Der rote Baron
While it’s not based on a true story, this 2011 film is a humorous look at Turkish immigration to Germany and the integration of the children of those immigrants. As you can imagine, there are… Almanya – Willkommen in Deutschland
This 2001 film is a comedy western that was inspired by skits from the show Bullyparade. It centers around Abahachi and his friendship with Ranger. Abahachi’s twin brother Winnetouch (see Karl May’s stories of Winnetou for… Schuh des Manitu
The band Type 0 Negative wrote a modern soundtrack for this film and it was re-released as a TV-Movie in 1998. The modern soundtrack fits the movie very well and adds to the suspense built… Nosferatu (1922)
This 2003 version is a story of a boys’ boarding school of music and their rivalry with another school. It is winter in Berlin and the schools are preparing their Christmas performances. Some of the… Das fliegende Klassenzimmer
Ostwind, released in 2013, has become a series of films, as of 2019 sitting at four. This post covers the first two. Hanna Binke plays our main character throughout the series. While she hasn’t been… Ostwind 1 und 2
This film is a story of a love triangle, surrounding a pianist, a restauranteur, and a woman who once dreamed of and studied to become a concert vocalist. The film takes place during WWII, though… Gloomy Sunday – ein Lied von Liebe und Tod
Known in the U.S. as Operation Valkyrie, this 2004 film is a German version of the Tom Cruise film, which came 4 years later. And it’s even rated PG-13, so it is viewable in most… Stauffenberg
Disclaimer: this film has a sequel. This post is strictly about the first film, released in 2008. Much of this film takes place in school, in the 8th grade. It includes thought processing during a… Freche Mädchen
Disclaimer: this is the first film in a series of 6, released between 2003 and 2016. This post covers only the first film. Actor brothers Jimi Blue Ochsenknecht and Wilson Gonzalez star in this film,… Die wilden Kerle
This 1920 film is not rated in the U.S. strictly because movie ratings didn’t exist until long after its release date. It was a suspenseful horror in its day and does involve murder, so one… Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari
Okay, okay, this 2006 film is not originally German, BUT it IS the film adaptation of Cornelia Funke’s book of the same title, and of course her book was originally in German. The Thief Lord… The Thief Lord (Herr der Diebe)
Released in 1997, this film is a drama-comedy featuring Jürgen Vogel and Christiane Paul, both of whom we also know from Die Welle, among many other great films. Beyond these two, there are a couple… Das Leben ist eine Baustelle
This 1997 film is based on the true story of the musical group The Comedian Harmonists, who were very popular in the years before WWII. As some of the members were Jewish, the war meant… Harmonists
This 1998 film is labeled as a comedy/drama. We start in Spain. We don’t really know the characters’ stories, though we slowly learn pieces as we go. The characters all simply want to feel beautiful.… Bin ich schön?
Released in 1990, this film is a story of WWII, based on the book of the same title, which is a true story. Solomon Perel plays himself in the present day pieces. It’s the story… Europa Europa