Best of German Cinema

Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari (1920)

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The first expressionist masterpiece of German cinema remains one of the greatest and most influential of horror films.

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Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam (1920)

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This stylish fantasy horror film is the prototype for the classic Hollywood monster movies of the 1930s.

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Hamlet (1921)

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An expressionist take on Shakespeare's play, in which the Danish prince with a penchant for poetry and murder is played as a woman.

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Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)

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Arguably the greatest horror film of all time, Murnau's Nosferatu is certainly the most chilling interpretation of the vampire legend.

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Phantom (1922)

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A poignant story of one man's descent into Hell as he follows an impossible love, a prefect synthesis of realism and expressionism.

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Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler (1922)

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This epic crime thriller established Fritz Lang as one of Germany's leading directors and seems strangely prescient of the rise of fascism.

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Der Letzte Mann (1924)

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One of the comedy masterpieces of German cinema, starring the legendary Emil Jannings in one of his most memorable roles.

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Faust (1926)

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Murnau's version of Goethe's famous Faust story is a masterpiece of expressionism, famous for Emil Jannings's tongue-in-cheek portrayal of Mephistopheles.

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Der Heilige Berg (1926)

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With its stunning alpine location sequences, this is one of the most alluring of silent German films, a moving story of love and sacrifice.

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Herr Tartüff (1926)

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This stylish re-interpretation of Molière's celebrated play is both an elegant example of expressionism and, thanks to Emil Jannings's portrayal of Tartuffe, a very amusing silent film comedy.

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Metropolis (1927)

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With its iconic Art Deco design and stunning visual effects, this film deserves its reputation as one of the greatest science-fiction films ever made.

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Abwege (1928)

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Brigitte Helm gives a daringly realistic portrayal of a sexually frustrated bourgeois wife in this film, which aroused great controversy when it was first released.

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Spione (1928)

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With its seriously bad villain, handsome hero, intrigue and suspense-laden action scenes, this was one of Fritz Lang's most popular films, and the prototype for most spy-thrillers since.

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Frau im Mond (1929)

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Here is one of the earliest attempts at a "serious" science-fiction film, in which Fritz Lang went to great lengths to portray a moon trip as realistically as possible.

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Die Nibelungen (1924)

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Arguably the pinnacle of Fritz Lang's career is this ambitious adaptation of an epic 13th Century Germanic poem of heroism, betrayal and revenge.

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Vampyr (1932)

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With its ghostly photography and shadowy Gothic setting, Vampyr remains one of the most evocative and chilling of horror films.

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Menschen am Sonntag (1930)

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Striking for its realism, this documentary-style film shows how ordinary German people lived through the turbulent years of the Weimar Republic.

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Der Blaue Engel (1930)

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Most famous for Marlene Dietrich singing "Falling In Love Again", this film is also memorable for Emil Jannings's poignant portrayal of a schoolmaster who is destroyed by love.

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Die Drei von der Tankstelle (1930)

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This pioneering film operetta was the forerunner of the Hollywood musical, featuring some great comedy and some enchanting musical numbers.

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M (1931)

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Peter Lorre's portrayal of a child killer is nightmare-inducing stuff in this ambitious psychological thrillers, one of Fritz Lang's greatest films.

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Brennendes Geheimnis (1933)

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This poignant comedy-drama makes a startling contrast with the film noir style which its director would perfect during his period in Hollywood.

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Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse (1933)

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The evil Dr Mabuse returns to face Inspector Lohmann in in this stylish horror-thriller, a sophisticated crime adventure with plenty of spills, thrills and chills.

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Die Feuerzangenbowle (1944)

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One of the all-time comedy classics of German cinema, this stands as one of the best and funniest films about schooling, thanks to some masterfully realised comic sequences.

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Die Ratten (1955)

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Robert Siodmak won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for this hard-hitting social drama, which features Maria Schell and Curd Jürgens at their best.

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Das Boot (1981)

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A gripping, highly effective wartime drama which follows the fortunes of a doomed U-boat crew during WWII.

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Good Bye Lenin! (2003)

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This look at the funnier side of German reunification was a huge international success, combining moments of great tenderness with sublime laugh-out-loud comedy.

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