Movies About Berlin

From Oliver Hirschbiegel, starring Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler
Rated R

Downfall is a 2004 German-language biographical war drama film directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, depicting the final ten days of Adolf Hitler's rule over Nazi Germany in 1945 as the Red Army closes in. The film focuses on the relationship between Hitler and his personal secretary, Traudl Junge, as the German armies crumble and Berlin is surrounded by Russian forces. As the Soviet troops enter Berlin, Hitler and his inner circle are forced to confront the reality of their imminent defeat. The film follows the psychological disintegration of Hitler as he descends into paranoia and madness, culminating in his suicide in his bunker. It also details the struggles of his followers to come to terms with the inevitable end of the Nazi regime and the consequences of their actions. The film stars Bruno Ganz as Hitler, Alexandra Maria Lara as Traudl Junge, and Corinna Harfouch as Magda Goebbels. The film was nominated for multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

From Billy Wilder, starring James Cagney, Horst Buchholz, Pamela Tiffin, Arlene Francis
Rated Not Rated

One, Two, Three is a 1961 American comedy film directed by Billy Wilder and starring James Cagney. The film is set in West Berlin during the Cold War, and the plot revolves around C.R. "Mac" MacNamara (Cagney), an executive with the Coca-Cola Company who is sent from the U.S. to West Berlin to help with the company's local operations. Along the way, Mac is tasked with overseeing the rebellious daughter of his boss, who has been sent to West Berlin to marry a Communist. In order to prevent the marriage, Mac must convince the daughter and her suitor to see the error of their ways and fall in love with each other. The comedy ensues as Mac attempts to outwit the Communists and brings a little of the American way of life to West Berlin.

From Bob Fosse, starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Joel Grey
Rated PG

Cabaret is a 1972 American musical drama film directed by Bob Fosse and starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York, and Joel Grey. Set in Berlin during the Weimar Republic, the film is loosely based on the 1966 Broadway musical and is centered around nightclub performer Sally Bowles (Minnelli). The film follows Sally as she meets an American writer, Brian Roberts (York), who is in Germany to work on a novel. Sally and Brian become romantically involved, though Sally is also involved with a British gentleman, Maximilian von Heune (Grey). As the Nazis rise to power, Sally, Brian and Max navigate the complicated political and social world of the cabaret scene in Berlin. The film was a box office success and was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won eight, including Best Director for Fosse. It is now considered one of the greatest musicals of all time.

From Wolfgang Becker, starring Daniel Brühl, Katrin Sass, Chulpan Khamatova, Florian Lukas
Rated R

Good Bye Lenin! is a 2003 German comedy-drama film written and directed by Wolfgang Becker. It tells the story of a family that is separated by the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and reunites when the mother, Christiane, is released from the hospital after eight months in a coma. Her son, Alex, must keep her from learning about the changes that have taken place in East Germany during her coma, so he creates a fantastical version of the Communist regime for her to believe in. The film follows Alex and his family as they try to keep Christiane's dream alive and explore the new realities of a unified Germany.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan
Rated PG-13

Bridge of Spies is a historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2015. It tells the story of lawyer James B. Donovan, who is recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to negotiate a prisoner exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. The movie follows Donovan's journey as he juggles the politics of both countries, while trying to protect the rights of Rudolph Abel, a Soviet KGB agent who has been arrested by the FBI. The negotiations are complicated by the fact that the Soviets have also captured an American U-2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers. In the end, Donovan is successful in negotiating the exchange of Abel for Powers, earning him the nickname "the Man Who Saved the World". Bridge of Spies is a thrilling and emotionally-charged drama that chronicles the lengths one man will go to stand for what is right.

From Jan-Ole Gerster, starring Tom Schilling, Katharina Schüttler, Justus von Dohnányi, Andreas Schröders
Rated Not Rated

From David Leitch, starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Eddie Marsan
Rated R

From Vincent Perez, starring Daniel Brühl, Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson, Mikael Persbrandt
Rated R

From Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire, Beau Bridges
Rated R