List of German films of 1895–1918 explained

This is a list of the most notable films produced in the German Empire until 1918, in year order.

It includes German films from the introduction of the medium to the resignation of the Emperor at the end of World War I. Many of these films laid the groundwork for German Expressionism.

For an alphabetical list of articles on films of the period see .

1890s

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1895
Akrobatisches Potpourri Grunato family Documentary Release: Nov. 1
Bauerntanz zweier Kinder Documentary Release: Nov 1
Boxing Kangaroo Mr Delaware Documentary Release: Nov 1
The German Emperor Reviewing His Troops Earliest known footage of Kaiser Wilhelm
Opening of the Kiel Canal Early footage of Kaiser Wilhelm
Serpentinen Tanz Documentary Release: Nov 1
1896
Leben und Treiben am Alexanderplatz
1897
Apotheose II
1898
Kaiser von Deutschland, der Kaiser von Österreich und der König von Sachsen am Tage der Jubiläumsfeier in Dresden English: The Kaiser of Germany, the Kaiser of Austria and the King of Saxony on the day of the Jubilee Fair in Dresden
1899
German Lancers A parade of the famous Second Guards, one of Emperor William's favorite regiments.
When the Bugle Sounds 'Charge' An attack by the famous Second Guards Regiment of Emperor William's Army on the Paradefeld.

1900s

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1900
Einzug unserer Chinakrieger in Berlin am 16.12.1900 English: The Entry of Our China Soldiers in Berlin on Dec. 16, 1900 (about Boxer Rebellion?)
Eine moderne Jungfrau von Orleans English: A Modern Maid of Orleans
1901
Einzug der Königin von Holland mit ihrem Gemahl in Schwerin English: The Entry of the Queen of The Netherlands with her Consort in Schwerin
1902
When Knighthood Was in Flower
1903
Mr. Krebs in seiner senationellen Schleifenfahrt English: Mr. Krebs in his Sensational Bicycleride
Der lustige Ehemann
1904
The Whistling Bowery Boy
Kämpfe vor Port Arthur English: The Campaign for Port Arthur
1905
Eine Fliegenjagd oder Die Rache der Frau Schultze English: Hunting a Fly; Or, The Revenge of Frau Schultze
Afrikanische Kriegsbilder War documentary English: African War Pictures
1906
Apachentanz Oskar Messter, Albert Kutzner English: Apache Dance (A French dance)
Meißner Porzellan
1909
Prosit Neujahr 1910! Animated film First animated German film

1910-1914

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1910
Arsène Lupin contra Sherlock Holmes
Die geheimnisvolle Streichholzdose Animated film Available online here
Sumurûn
1911
Der schwarze Traum German-Danish co-production; Danish: Den Sorte drøm
Die Suppe partly animated film An advertisement for Maggi-Wuerze Available online here
The Traitress Drama
1912
In Nacht und Eis English: In Night and Ice; first German Titanic film ever made
Das Mirakel
Der Nähkasten animated film
The Oath of Stephan Huller Drama
Poor Jenny
Schatten des Meeres English: In the Shadow of the Sea
Tanz der Flaschen (Kupferberg Gold) animated film
Tanz der Flaschen (Maggi) animated film An advertisement for Maggi-Wuerze
1913
Der Film von der Königin Luise English: A Film of Queen Louise; in 3 parts
Die Insel der Seligen
The Life and Works of Richard Wagner [1]
Der neue Schreibtisch
Das rosa Pantöffelchen Franz Hofer Comedy
Der Steckbrief
The Student of Prague English: A Bargain With Satan
The Weapons of YouthFriedrich MüllerGertrud Gräbner, Conrad Wiene
1914
The Armoured Vault Thriller
Der Hund von Baskerville Crime
Detektiv BraunRudolf MeinertAlwin Neuß, Friedrich KühneCrime
Eine Venezianische Nacht
The Firm Gets MarriedComedy
Die geheimnisvolle Villa
He This Way, She That WayRobert WieneMax Zilzer, Manny ZienerComedy
The Iron Cross Drama
Ivan Koschula Drama
The Man in the Cellar Thriller
Miss Piccolo Comedy
The Silent Mill Drama

1915

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Aufs Eis geführt Comedy [2]
Berlin im Kriegsjahrdocumentary
The Canned BrideMargarete Kupfer, Guido HerzfeldComedy
The Dancer Drama
Deutsche Kriegswochedocumentary
Fluch der Schönheit Drama [3]
Der Golem
Ein Held des Unterseebootesdocumentary
Laugh Bajazzo Drama
Miss Piccolo Franz Hofer Comedy
No Sin on the Alpine Pastures Comedy
Photographischer Wettbewerbdocumentary
Robert and BertramMax MackEugen Burg, Ferdinand BonnComedy
The TunnelWilliam WauerFriedrich Kayßler, Fritzi MassaryDrama
The Vice Drama
Der Zahnteufel partly animated film An advertisement for Beiersdorfer Available online here
Zucker und Zimt Comedy [4]

1916

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Bogdan Stimoff Drama Co-production with Austria and Bulgaria
The Confessions of the Green Mask Drama
Doktor Satansohn Comedy[5]
Frau EvaRobert WieneErna Morena, Emil JanningsDrama
His Coquettish Wife Comedy
Homunculus Science fiction 6 part serial
The Knitting Needles Comedy
Lehmann's HoneymoonRobert WieneGuido Herzfeld, Arnold RieckComedy
Leutnant auf Befehl Drama [6]
Die PeitscheDrama [7]
The Queen's Love LetterRobert WieneHenny Porten, Arthur SchröderComedy
The Queen's SecretaryRobert WieneKäthe Dorsch, Ressel OrlaComedy
The Robber BrideRobert WieneHenny Porten, Friedrich FeherComedy
Rose on the Heath Drama
Rübezahl's WeddingPaul Wegener, Lyda SalmonovaDrama [8] [9] [10]
Shoe Palace PinkusErnst LubitschErnst Lubitsch, Guido HerzfeldComedy
The Sin of Helga Arndt Drama
Ein Tag bei der Armee Boehm-Ermollidocumentary
Tyrannenherrschaft – Aus Polens schwerer Zeit English: Tyrannical Overlords-From Poland's Dark Time
The Uncanny House Mystery Released in three parts
Under the Spell of Silence Drama
Vengeance Is MineRudolf MeinertCrime
The Wandering LightRobert WieneHenny Porten, Bruno DecarliDrama
Werner Krafft Drama[11]
The Yogi Drama

1917

width=21% Titlewidth=16% Directorwidth=22% Castwidth=13% Genrewidth=28% Notes
Badeleben im dritten Kriegsjahr an der Ostsee documentary
Berliner Leben im dritten Kriegsjahr Frühling 1917 documentary
Ein Boxkampf mit John Bull Animated propaganda film Available online here
The Diamond Foundation Crime
Dornröschen Fairy tale
Dr. Hart's Diary War
FearRobert WieneBruno Decarli, Conrad VeidtHorror
Das fidele Gefängnis Comedy English: The Merry Jail
Frank Hansen's FortuneViggo LarsenWestern
Germany and Its Armies TodaydocumentaryCompilation of war films edited together for export
The Giant's Fist Drama
Hans Trutz in the Land of Plenty Fantasy
Hilde Warren und der Tod
Imprisoned SoulRudolf BiebrachHenny Porten, Paul BildtDrama
Jan Vermeulen, the Miller of Flanders War
John Bull Animated propaganda film Available online here
Let There Be Light Drama Followed by three other parts
Life Is a DreamRobert WieneEmil Jannings, Bruno DecarliDrama
The Lord of Hohenstein Drama
The Lost Paradise Drama
The Love of Hetty Raimond Drama
Die Marokkodeutschen in der Gewalt der FranzosenWaldemar Heckerdocumentary
The Man in the MirrorRobert WieneMaria Fein, Bruno DecarliDrama
The Marriage of Luise RohrbachRudolf BiebrachHenny Porten, Emil JanningsDrama
Mountain Air Comedy
The Onyx Head Crime
The Path of Death Drama
The Picture of Dorian Gray Drama
The Princess of NeutraliaRudolf BiebrachHenny Porten, Paul BildtComedy
The Ring of Giuditta Foscari Drama
Das Säugetier Animated propaganda film Available online here
The Sea Battle War
The Spy Spy drama
Steadfast BenjaminRobert WieneArnold Rieck, Guido HerzfeldComedy
Unusable Drama
Wedding in the Eccentric ClubDrama [12]
When Four Do the SameErnst LubitschOssi Oswalda, Emil JanningsComedy/Drama
When the Dead Speak Drama
When the Heart Burns with Hate Drama

1918

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The Adventure of a Ball Night Adventure
Agnes Arnau and Her Three Suitors Comedy
Alraune, die Henkerstochter, genannt die rote Hanne
Die Augen der Mumie Ma
The Ballet Girl Comedy
The Beggar Countess Drama
The Blue Lantern Drama
Bukarest im dritten Kriegsjahr documentary
Carmen Drama aka Gypsy Blood
Colomba Drama
Countess KitchenmaidHenny Porten, Heinrich SchrothComedy
Diary of a Lost Woman Drama
Doctor Schotte Drama
Europe, General Delivery Mystery
Father and Son Drama
Ferdinand Lassalle Biopic
The Flight of Arno Jessen Drama
The Foreign Prince Drama
Five Minutes Too Late Thriller
The Flyer from Goerz War
The Ghost Hunt Crime
His Majesty the Hypochondriac Comedy
The Homecoming of Odysseus Rudolf BiebrachHenny Porten, Bruno DecarliComedy
Ikarus, the Flying Man Spy drama [13]
In the Castle by the Lake Drama
Jettchen Gebert's Story Drama
The Lady, the Devil and the Model Drama
Lorenzo Burghardt Drama
Mania Drama
Midnight Crime
Ich möchte kein Mann sein
The Nun and the Harlequin Drama
Ein neuer Dreibund Animated propaganda film Available online here
The Pied Piper of Hamelin Drama
Precious Stones Drama
The Prisoner of Dahomey Drama
Put to the Test Comedy
The Rat Crime
Das Rätsel von Bangalor
The Ringwall Family Drama
The Rosentopf Case Comedy
The Sacrifice Drama
Sadja Drama
The Salamander Ruby Drama
Der Schreiber und die Biene partly animated film
The Seeds of Life Drama Released in three parts
The Serenyi Comedy
The Son of Hannibal Drama
Spring Storms Drama
The Story of Dida IbsenRichard OswaldAnita Berber, Conrad VeidtDrama
The Toboggan Cavalier Comedy
The Victors Drama
Waves of Fate Joe MayDrama
The Yellow Ticket Drama
Your Big Secret Drama
The Zaarden Brothers Drama

References

  1. Web site: What's on – Cinema | Barbican.
  2. Web site: Aufs Eis gefuhrt.
  3. Web site: The German Early Cinema Database: Film Supply 1895-1920: Infos.
  4. Web site: Zucker und Zimt.
  5. Web site: Doktor Satansohn.
  6. Web site: The German Early Cinema Database: Film Supply 1895-1920: Film: Leutnant auf Befehl . 2017-04-04 . 2017-04-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170405170204/http://www.earlycinema.uni-koeln.de/films/view/28351 . dead .
  7. Web site: Die Peitsche.
  8. Web site: - YouTube. YouTube.
  9. Web site: Rübezahls Hochzeit | filmportal.de . 2017-11-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140315055854/http://www.filmportal.de/en/movie/ruebezahls-hochzeit_ea43d4a6a86a5006e03053d50b37753d . 2014-03-15 . dead .
  10. Web site: Rübezahls Hochzeit. IMDb.
  11. Web site: German Films: Personal Info: Reinhold Schuenzel.
  12. Web site: Die HOCHZEIT IM EXCENTRIC-CLUB (1917). https://web.archive.org/web/20170401233204/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8574fbbc. dead. April 1, 2017.
  13. Web site: Ikarus, the flying Man (1918).