Great German Films

When many Americans think of great foreign films, German film doesn't normally spring immediately to mind. That's too bad, because Germany has produced a number of excellent films, which span a number of film movements. From the early days of silent German Expressionism and das neue Kino to contemporary comedies and dramas, German film has a lot to offer any movie-lover.

These films span such a wide range of time periods and genres that ranking them is an exercise in pointlessness. Here's a look at ten great German films in chronological order:

Great German Films: Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari), 1920

Often cited as the prime example of German Expressionist film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is truly something to behold. The angular, dream-like sets and harrowing plot (which centers on the titular doctor and his somnambulist) have made this film, by director Robert Wiene, one of the most memorably odd horror films of all time.

Great German Films: Nosferatu, 1922

I don't know if F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu is the best vampire film of all time, but it is most certainly in the running. Nearly a century later, Nosferatu still manages to send chills down the spine of those who watch it, myself most definitely included. The lore which has sprung up around star Max Schreck certainly adds to the film's enduring mystique.

Great German Films: Metropolis, 1927

It's not an exaggeration to say that Fritz Lang's Metropolis is one of the most imaginative, thematically complex and epically plotted films ever made. The special effects and stunning set design are simply beyond description-- even today's viewer, accustomed to CGI and multi-million dollar sets, can't help but be in awe of the way Metropolis looks and the atmosphere it projects. If you are one of those people who avoid silent films, I'd urge you to give at least this masterpiece a chance. You will definitely never regret it.

Great German Films: M, 1931

With Fritz Lang's dark masterpiece, M, we enter into sound films, and quite an entrance it is. M, which stars Peter Lorre as a serial killer responsible for the disappearance of several of a city's children, covers a dark subject matter but is completely engrossing. M contains some of the most iconic scenes of early cinema.

Great German Films: Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes), 1972

Werner Herzog's Aguirre, the Wrath of God is often painstakingly slow, minimalist in plot and nearly devoid of dialogue. While this type of film may not appeal to all audiences, those with the patience to watch will find a true masterpiece of German cinema in this tale of power and madness deep within the Amazon jungle. Make sure to watch the entire film, as the final scene is one of the best ever put on celluloid.

Great German Films: Ali - Fear Eats the Soul (Angst essen Seele auf), 1974

Ali - Fear Eats the Soul covers a lot of social issues by focusing on one relationship-that between the titular Ali, a Moroccan immigrant and Emmi, an older German woman. Director Rainer Werner Fassbinder uses the pressures on their relationship and outside prejudice to explore the racism found in 1970's Germany. The deliberate pacing and cinematography of Ali - Fear Eats the Soul only serve to underscore the power of the film.

Great German Films: The Marriage of Maria Braun (Die Ehe die Maria Braun), 1979

Much like Ali - Fear Eats the Soul, Fassbinder's The Marriage of Maria Braun explores wider social concerns by focusing on a single individual. In this case the economic despair and reconstruction of post-war Germany is reflected in the life of Maria, played by Hanna Schygulla. While the ending of The Marriage of Maria Braun may frustrate some viewers, the film as a whole is fantastic.

Great German Films: Wings of Desire (Der Himmel über Berlin), 1987

Forget the treacly and, well, just plain bad American remake of this German classic by Wim Wenders (1998's City of Angels), as it only barely captures the plot of the original and none of the emotion. Wings of Desire is a gorgeous and haunting film that takes a philosophical look at humanity and everyday life in Berlin.

Great German Films: Goodbye, Lenin!, 2003

The only comedy on this list, Wolfgang Becker's Goodbye, Lenin! still manages to convey deep emotion. Goodbye, Lenin! tells the story of a young man (played by actor Daniel Brühl, who American audiences might recognize from last year's Inglourious Basterds) who hides the changes that come with the fall of the Berlin Wall from his mother who has just awoken from a coma, in order not to upset her. The comedy is clever and broad enough to make the film funny to those who are unfamiliar with the culture and particulars of East Germany.

Great German Films: The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen), 2006

The Lives of Others, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring the late Ulrich Mühe, is a quiet, moral film which is nevertheless incredibly powerful. Mühe stars as a Stasi Captain tasked with spying on a prominent playwright in 1984 East Berlin. The Lives of Others won the 2007 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Picture, and is one of the most memorable foreign films of the last decade.

Sources:
IMDB
Personal Experience