119 German Films: A World Cinema Collection
118 titles
- 101
To New ShoresMovie · 1937 · 106mIn 19th-century London, a cabaret singer is exiled to Australia after taking responsibility for her lover's financial debts.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.7 - 102
...and the Sky Above UsMovie · 1947 · 103mHans Albers stars as Hans Richter, a war veteran struggling to find work. Driven to desperation, Richter turns to illegal activities. His son, Edwin (Paul Edwin Roth), a blind ex-soldier, is deeply ashamed and cuts him off. Though Hans eventually tries to reform, he faces further painful obstacles along the way.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.2 - 103
Aguirre, the Wrath of GodMovie · 1972 · 95m · History, Adventure, DramaFollowing the collapse of the Inca Empire, a bold Spanish expedition journeys into the Amazon to find the legendary city of El Dorado. Captain Aguirre leads the men on a dangerous trek through unexplored territory, driven by the hope of great wealth.
As they travel down the river, the pursuit of fortune transforms into a desperate struggle for power. Aguirre's control over his crew intensifies, breeding suspicion and madness.
This intense story of exploration and ambition explores the darker side of humanity, depicting a harrowing fight for survival amidst extreme hardship. The expedition’s quest for El Dorado raises the question of whether the promise of riches will ultimately save or ruin them.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 104
RotationMovie · 1950 · 79mMechanic Behnke initially seeks to join the Nazi party for financial stability. His perspective shifts dramatically after his Jewish neighbors are deported. Attempting to avoid political involvement, he isolates himself and becomes a worker for the Nazi regime.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.7 - 105
The Student of PragueMovie · 1913 · 85m · Drama, FantasyIn 19th-century Prague, an impoverished student named Balduin unexpectedly saves Countess Margit from drowning in the Vltava River. This event ignites a powerful connection between them, despite their different social standings. As their relationship develops, Balduin struggles to win Margit's affection and overcome the obstacles posed by their conflicting classes. The story explores themes of forbidden love, personal development, and the power of human connection within a society grappling with changing norms.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 106
The Hunger Years: In a Land of PlentyMovie · 1980 · 115m · Drama"Hungerjahre" is a film by and about Jutta Brückner, reflecting on her teenage years in 1950s West Germany. It explores the difficulties of growing up after the war, as young people try to find themselves during a time of big changes. Brückner offers a personal and moving look at this period, capturing both the turbulence and the nostalgia of her coming-of-age story. The film portrays the challenges teenagers faced – discovering who they are, dealing with social pressures, and wanting to connect – in a world that was constantly evolving.IMDb 6.9TMDB 4.2 - 107
Eerie TalesMovie · 1919 · 101mA demon, a reaper, and a former prostitute's ghost gather to read and perform gothic short stories.IMDb 6.4TMDB 5.3 - 108
Jadup and BoelMovie · 1988 · 100mA quiet town has collectively suppressed memories of the years following World War II. This changes when a stranger discovers a book given to a young refugee named Boel by Jadup. Boel had resettled in the town over 30 years ago. The discovery stirs up painful recollections of Boel and the post-war era, unsettling the entire community. Boel disappeared then, and the reason was unknown. Rumors circulated about a rape, with some pointing fingers at a Russian soldier. Jadup, the town's respected mayor, remembers his distrust of Boel and his failure to support her during that difficult time – he didn’t even realize she loved him. Confronting this past forces Jadup to re-evaluate his present life and community.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.1 - 109
Peppermint-PeaceMovie · 1983 · 112mThis film follows young Marianne growing up in a quiet German village between 1943 and 1950. A sense of peace arrives with an American soldier, nicknamed Mr. Frieden, who shares chewing gum with the children. However, Marianne remains haunted by the fear of the war's return.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.3 - 110
Letztes aus der DaDaeRMovie · 1990 · 86m"Da-Da-R," a collection of cabaret performances by celebrated East German poets, songwriters, and clowns Steffen Mensching and Hans-Eckardt Wenzel, satirizes life in East Germany during its final days and the dawn of a new era following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Released from prison to perform for audiences, the clowns' shows coincide with growing national unrest, a prison riot, and ultimately, being driven out by the very people they sought to entertain. This film is the first production by Da-Da-R, an artistic group that long advocated for independence within the state-run DEFA film studio. The title itself is a playful combination of the Dada art movement and the German acronym for East Germany, DDR.IMDb 6.9 - 111
The Edge of HeavenMovie · 2007 · 122m · DramaSix German-Turkish immigrants' lives intersect unexpectedly. An elderly man and a sex worker form an alliance. A young academic confronts his history. Two young women develop a romantic relationship. And a mother struggles to rebuild her life after it has been broken.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.2 - 112
The Einstein of Sex: Life and Work of Dr. M. HirschfeldMovie · 2000 · 100mThis is the story of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, a German Jewish physician who pioneered the study of human sexuality, known as sexology. In the late 19th century, he bravely challenged Germany's strict anti-homosexuality laws. The film explores key figures in Hirschfeld’s life: his complicated relationship with Baron von Teschenberg, and his devoted assistants Karl Giese and Dorchen, a transvestite who became a trusted confidante. Together, they founded the First Institute of Sexual Sciences in Berlin in 1920. The film follows their fight to maintain the Institute’s existence as the rise of the Third Reich threatens to close it in the mid-1930s.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.3 - 113
FaustMovie · 1926 · 116m · Fantasy, Drama, HorrorThis film explores the timeless conflict between God and Satan, who are competing for influence over humanity. The story centers on Faust, a skilled and deeply religious alchemist who becomes the focus of their struggle. The two sides bet on his future, sparking a compelling journey about faith, ambition, and temptation. As Faust deals with this cosmic contest, the audience is immersed in a captivating story that skillfully blends the sacred and the sinister, prompting questions about human decisions when confronted by supernatural powers.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 114
The Story of Little MookMovie · 1953 · 100m · Fantasy, FamilyIn an ancient oriental city, an old man tells children the story of his youth as a boy named Little Muck. Though orphaned and forced to flee his home by cruel relatives, Little Muck remained remarkably polite despite facing hardship. He journeys across the desert seeking a mysterious merchant who promises good fortune. In the barren landscape, he encounters a grumpy woman and her many cats, who try to force him into servitude. Little Muck escapes by stealing magical shoes that grant him incredible speed, faster than anyone else. Now, prepared for whatever comes next, he continues his life-changing journey.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 115
Shirin's WeddingMovie · 1976 · 120mTo find Mahmood (Ören), a man she was betrothed to as a child, 20-year-old Shirin (Erten) leaves her home in a small Turkish village and goes in search of him.IMDb 7.3TMDB 2.8 - 116
Palermo or WolfsburgMovie · 1980 · 175m · DramaA young Sicilian man moves to Wolfsburg, West Germany, hoping to find work. Facing poverty and few opportunities back home, he gets a job at the Volkswagen factory after a long train trip from Northern Italy. The film examines his experience adjusting to a new culture while working, exploring the difficulties and benefits of this change. Using strong visuals, detailed characters, and observations about society, the movie follows his search for a better life in postwar Europe.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.4 - 117
UnveiledMovie · 2005 · 100mFariba Tabrizi escapes Iran, risking her life to flee. In Germany, she faces deportation and has no choice but to assume the identity of a deceased fellow prisoner. After a few months of trying to cope with this unbearable situation, how does Fariba live – not only in her exile abroad, but also in an inner exile? The UN refers to asylum-seekers with no legal home as "in orbit," adrift and unable to find a place to belong.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.4 - 118
The TunnelMovie · 2001 · 150m · Drama, ThrillerBased on a true story, Olympic swimmer Harry Melchior escapes from East Germany in the 1960s. He develops a risky plan to help his sister and others escape East Berlin by using a 145-yard tunnel hidden beneath the city.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.1
