Good German-speaking films with Eng Subtitles

MANUTD99

Been doing my German beginners class now for a few weeks.Looking to watch some films to help me get used to the language a bit better.

Any recommendations of some good movies in German that are easy to pick up in Dublin.

Thanks
manutd99

prinz

Go to HMV World Cinema section, unfortunately (or fortunately if you are into that sort of thing) most of the movies that tend to get that far are historical based; such as ..

The Downfall (Der Untergang (WWII))
The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen (East Germany - thriller/spy drama))
Das Boot (WWII submarine movie)
Der Baader-Meinhof Komplex (about Baader-Meinhof gang)
Europa, Europa (Hitlerjugend Salomon - WWII)
Sophie Scholl (Sophie Scholl Die Letzen Tage - WWII resistance group)

Other movies you could find there

Run Lola Run (Lola Rennt bit of a mad mix, not really sure what genre it is)
The Miracle of Bern (Das Wunder von Bern - based about the German World Cup team of 1954)

For a decent recent comedy..

Vincent will meer (you might be able to get a copy of this in HMV or somewhere)

MANUTD99

prinz wrote: »

Go to HMV World Cinema section, unfortunately (or fortunately if you are into that sort of thing) most of the movies that tend to get that far are historical based; such as ..

The Downfall (Der Untergang (WWII))
The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen (East Germany - thriller/spy drama))
Das Boot (WWII submarine movie)
Der Baader-Meinhof Komplex (about Baader-Meinhof gang)
Europa, Europa (Hitlerjugend Salomon - WWII)
Sophie Scholl (Sophie Scholl Die Letzen Tage - WWII resistance group)

Other movies you could find there

Run Lola Run (Lola Rennt bit of a mad mix, not really sure what genre it is)
The Miracle of Bern (Das Wunder von Bern - based about the German World Cup team of 1954)

For a decent recent comedy..

Vincent will meer (you might be able to get a copy of this in HMV or somewhere)

Good list, thank you? Any other comedy movies you can think of?

I got Das Leben Der Anderen and Goodbye Lennon today from Amazon.

prinz

MANUTD99 wrote: »

Good list, thank you? Any other comedy movies you can think of?

Can't really think of any big ones prefer the dramas myself.. lost in German comedy a lot of the time.

Der Lummel von der Ersten Bank, perhaps but I think that's from the late 1960's or early 70's. Sort of like a Carry On movie with school kids.

Pappa ante Portas is another one (early 90's), supposed to be good but I haven't watched it really as version I have has no subtitles but there are subtitled clips from it on Youtube to get a sense of it.

MANUTD99 wrote: »

I got Das Leben Der Anderen and Goodbye Lennon today from Amazon.

Das Leben Der Anderen in particular is excellent.

hinault

Das Weisse Band (The white ribbon).

Skinback

Dont forget the amazing Heimat series.

liah

Der Baader Meinhof Komplex, Herr Lehmann, Das Experiment, Das Boot, Das kleine Arschloch, Der kleene Punker, Der Untergang, Free Rainer, Das Leben der Anderen, and Gegen die Wand (haven't seen it yet but have heard good things).

Will try to think of more. Decent mix.

JoseJones

Berlin Calling especially if you're into electro music, it might not be for everybody tho.

Soul Kitchen is excellent too, and would appeal to a wider audience than Berlin Calling.

Edit: also Das Experiment, absolutely brilliant!

RachaelVO

Was gonna recommend Run Lola Run (bonkers movie) and Das Boot, but they've been highly recommended.

You could also try and get Fawlty Towers in German, they loved it, and Andrew Sachs who plays Manuel, actually did his own dubbing cos he's bilingual (just a random fact for ya...)

MANUTD99

Thanks very much lads and lasses.

Gonna sit down with Das Leben Der Anderen tonight.

Will report back how I find the movie and how helpful I find it with my German..

peasant

MANUTD99 wrote: »

Goodbye Lennon .

Good old Vladimir Ilyitch Uljanov is spinning in his mausoleum at that one ...and John won't be happy either

good film though ...Das Leben der anderen is excellent.

Papa ante Portas might be a bit much with little German and subtitles only ..that kind of humour doesn't translate that well, would give that one a miss as it would probably bore you to death

MANUTD99

MANUTD99 wrote: »

Thanks very much lads and lasses.

Gonna sit down with Das Leben Der Anderen tonight.

Will report back how I find the movie and how helpful I find it with my German..

Just finished watching..

Very good film. Was able to recognise small sentences and a good few words. Gonna try watch one German film per week

Bodhisopha

The Counterfeiters

Inkblot

I find most of the recent German movies horrible, mainly to do with the fact that the only topic they ever cover is Nazis or the GDR. But most of the more famous ones have already been named. I can only emphasize that Pappa Ante Portas is a real great movie, also by the same maker: Ödipussi.

Newer comedies that I found quite funny are Der Wixxer and Neues vom Wixxer, which parody the Edgar Wallace movies of the 50s and 60s. Also very interesting might be Muxmäuschenstill.

Another thing that might be worth trying is to get animated movies with the German dubbing, e.g. Disney movies. They might not be too hard to understand and the fact that the animated characters don't have voice of their own, doesn't ruin the dubbing as much as with real actors. And in some cases (like The Emperor's New Groove (or Ein Königreich für ein Lama as it is called in German) the German translation is even better. You could get these version probably from amazon.de and the good thing is that they will have the English soundtrack as well.

prinz

Bodhisopha wrote: »

The Counterfeiters

Yeah, forgot that one. Another good movie. I picked that up in HMV actually, so they should still have copies about.

Inkblot wrote: »

I find most of the recent German movies horrible, mainly to do with the fact that the only topic they ever cover is Nazis or the GDR..

They do excel at it though. Far better than anything the States has put out.. although as it's a particular interest of mine I would be fairly biased in that regard.

I'd also suggest just looking at Hollywood films on DVD and check to see if any have the German version on it. A lot do. Dubbing is not great but I found it helped when I actually knew the movie through English first, then when I watched in German I had a good idea of what line was what.

pappyodaniel

Goodbye Lenin was probably one of my favourite 'foreign' movies of the last decade. Another decent one would be the Edukators (not a misspelling).

who the fug

Skinback wrote: »

Dont forget the amazing Heimat series.

came into this thread just to recommend that one

Excellent series, well worth watching whether you are learning German or not

Inkblot

prinz wrote: »

They do excel at it though. Far better than anything the States has put out.. although as it's a particular interest of mine I would be fairly biased in that regard.

They should, since it is their own history. I find it always difficult when another country tries to make a movie about a country's past that is not its own. Sometimes the outcome can be quite interesting, but most of the time they overlook things or oversimplify.
However I stopped watching these movies due to the fact that they covered the Nazis pretty exhaustively during my school years in Germany - (I could say I am traumatized by now), but I wonder if it is really the only thing the Germans can make (good as in internationally acclaimed) movies about. The comedies are unfunny most of the time, too. I might put myself in danger of getting kicked out, but I hated Goodbye Lenin.
It had a good premise, but as always with German comedies, it didn't turn out to be funny and the ending ruined the whole movie for me.

On a sidenote and back to topic here: I heard that Herr Lehmann should be good movie. Haven't seen it though. And there was another one about Turkish-German relationships, which was quite nice. IIRC it is called Evek ich will.

prinz

Inkblot wrote: »

I might put myself in danger of getting kicked out, but I hated Goodbye Lenin. It had a good premise, but as always with German comedies, it didn't turn out to be funny and the ending ruined the whole movie for me..

You're not alone. I was warned off it too by a German. She didn't like it much either so I haven't seen it.

MANUTD99

Just finished watching Goodbye Lenin.

It was ok, I thought Das Leben der Anderen was better. I could understand more sentences in Lenin though.

I actually quite like films about the DDR. Very interesting!

munchkin_utd

prinz wrote: »

I'd also suggest just looking at Hollywood films on DVD and check to see if any have the German version on it. A lot do. Dubbing is not great but I found it helped when I actually knew the movie through English first, then when I watched in German I had a good idea of what line was what.

thats a good idea!

I remember watching clueless once in a nightclub with the sound off.
No problem following it, I already knew what was going on!

Dubbed tv series too might be worth watching in german.
Most of the converstaions are about coming or going or being somewhere at a certain time. All simple sentence constructions.
(i.e. not complicated german like a dissussion on the merits of a change in the constitutional system, which is a lot of messing with conditional tense and that)

Seriously though. Something like CSI is all a series of questions and answers, PLUS for the english speaker they sometimes use anglicised versions of a word in order to keep the lip sync in tact.
i.e. Farm is Bauernhof in German. But I noticed last week that they used Farm, pronounced like in Irish Feirm, instead when dubbing a programme.

EDIT:
as an example, heres the entire first series (1000 mins!) of Law and order New York.
http://www.amazon.de/Law-Order-erste-Staffel-DVDs/dp/B00009L4OV/ref=pd_cp_d_1
Audio in German or English , subtitles also in German or english
Costs a tenner plus 6 euro postage flat rate (you can add unlimited other dvds for no extra cost)

theres other stuff you could throw in like the premium edition of der Untergang for 15 euro incl subtitles in English, although mostly german films have no foreign subtitles so you'd want to be careful
http://www.amazon.de/Untergang-Premium-2-DVDs/dp/B0002Z16HY/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300959018&sr=1-1-fkmr1
And das wunder von Bern for 6 yoyo !
http://www.amazon.de/Das-Wunder-Bern-Louis-Klamroth/dp/B00011SU8W/ref=sr_1_3?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1300959296&sr=1-3
just search for "englische untertitel" on amazon.de and all available dvds will come up!

MANUTD99

Anyone know of more films about the DDR.

Not so much at the time around the fall of the wall but more about life during the DDR

peasant

MANUTD99 wrote: »

Anyone know of more films about the DDR.

Not so much at the time time of the fall of the wall but more about life during the DDR

This is an actual DDR film ...a love story really. Fairly non-political, but shot in the actual DDR and with DDR actors ...no subtitles though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpPqUfqIEck


I know of no period films (neither east nor west German) that actually looked at the DDR critically or even just described day to day life. DDR film making was heavily controlled, they had to stay within the party line. Western TV/film basically wasn't interested (and there may have been an element of not wanting to upset the tetchy relationship)

MANUTD99

peasant wrote: »

This is an actual DDR film ...a love story really. Fairly non-political, but shot in the actual DDR and with DDR actors ...no subtitles though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpPqUfqIEck


I know of no period films (neither east nor west German) that actually looked at the DDR critically or even just described day to day life. DDR film making was heavily controlled, they had to stay within the party line. Western TV/film basically wasn't interested (and there may have been an element of not wanting to upset the tetchy relationship)

Came accross a film called Sonnenallee..

Ever seen it? I'm thinking to buy

peasant

MANUTD99 wrote: »

Came accross a film called Sonnenallee..

Ever seen it? I'm thinking to buy

Nope, sorry ..don't know it

Inkblot

My father likes it a lot, but I haven't seen it. However it was critically acclaimed, so I don't think you can go wrong, especially if you are interested in the DDR.

Popel

Sonnenallee is a great film. It's quite a feel good film despite the disillusionment it shows. I highly recommend it.

prinz

MANUTD99 wrote: »

Anyone know of more films about the DDR.
Not so much at the time around the fall of the wall but more about life during the DDR

There was an old English language film "Night Crossing" with John Hurt and Beau Bridges that was based in East Germany from the early 80's. It was a Disney film - but more adult orientated. Portrayed day to day life in the East pretty well IIRC as well as the bureaucracy and suspicion that seems to have been ever-present.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082810/

Carry

peasant wrote: »

I know of no period films (neither east nor west German) that actually looked at the DDR critically or even just described day to day life. DDR film making was heavily controlled, they had to stay within the party line. Western TV/film basically wasn't interested (and there may have been an element of not wanting to upset the tetchy relationship)

How about "Spur der Steine"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traces_of_Stones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETSUkeMwnVY

A DDR-production from 1966 and a classic!

LifesgoodwithLG

Skinback wrote: »

Dont forget the amazing Heimat series.

Ah man I HATED Heimat with a passion. Man walks up hill..... man walks down hill , shot in real time, Life is far too short for me ever to watch Heimat again. God that takes me back to college and not the fun bits.
Liked Lola Rennt and Goodbye Lenin, First German film I watched for fun was ' Wir Kinder von Bahnhof Zoo'

Lawrence1895

'Wir KInder vom Bahnhof Zoo' is a good movie indeed, but a bit grim and therefore not suitable for everybody. Just a little warning there

howardmarks

released last year. friendship.

very very good. not well heard of over here yet as its not a classic like lola rennts or goodbye lenin. but i couldnt recommend it more.

btw its a comedy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYIQcIyOxAo

howardmarks

also die welle (the wave) is very good too. Available in book too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbTkdqYivuw

MANUTD99

I watched Sonnenalle last night. It was very enjoyable and quite humorous at times. Maybe gives a little insight into the mind of a teenager growing up in the DDR.

I think the next film I watch will be Das Wunder Von Bern. Has anybody seem this one?

Apanachi

MANUTD99 wrote: »

Maybe gives a little insight into the mind of a teenager growing up in the DDR.

Don't think so, most East Germans I know (and I know a lot, cos I'm living in the Eastern part of Germany) absolutely hate that film (including my husband, who's from the DDR)

prinz

MANUTD99 wrote: »

I think the next film I watch will be Das Wunder Von Bern. Has anybody seem this one?

Decent film. Not much football in it. More about the family relationships husband/wife, father/son. Interesting look at post-war Germany though.

mikemac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbbXWyI2AqE

The DVD will have subtitles
True story apparently

Incredible how the Swiss built that tunnel and tram through the mountain

MANUTD99

Apanachi wrote: »

Don't think so, most East Germans I know (and I know a lot, cos I'm living in the Eastern part of Germany) absolutely hate that film (including my husband, who's from the DDR)

My missus is from Erfurt and grew up in DDR also.She pissed herself laughing at it

Apanachi

MANUTD99 wrote: »

My missus is from Erfurt and grew up in DDR also.She pissed herself laughing at it

I thought is was OK myself, but then again, I grew up in Ireland and have no idea what life was like in the DDR (apart from what I've been told) so I have know idea how realistic it is (having said that, from what I've been told, growing up in East Berlin was totally different than growing up in other parts of the DDR (like Saxony where the hubby is from)

Then again, who know what's going on in the minds of any teenager regardless of where they grew up


Did anyone watch "Inglorious Basterds" in English? AFAIK they speak a lot of German in it (only saw the German version so I'm not too sure)

MANUTD99

would suggest looking at Keinohrhasen for a giggle.

Found it quite funny watching it with my OH

prinz

:eek: Arrrgghh I hated that film. One of the most unfunny and unromantic 'romantic comedies' I have seen in a long time. Drivel is not the word.

MANUTD99

prinz wrote: »

:eek: Arrrgghh I hated that film. One of the most unfunny and unromantic 'romantic comedies' I have seen in a long time. Drivel is not the word.

Really? Each to their own I guess. I didn't think it was any worse than the American/UK rom coms I've seen.

From what I've read it's the 6th most successful German film at the box office and it's gonna be remade in America with Ben Afleck.

The second part was **** though, I'll agree there

Sonnenblumen

German cinematic classics:

Nosferatu Phantom der Nacht
Berlin Alexanderplatz (Alfred Döblin) - a TV Film series dir by Rainer W.Fassbinder
Die Blech Trommel
Die Ehe der Maria Braun
Fitzcarraldo
Heimat
Das Boot (TV series, forget the film version)

F.A.

MANUTD99 wrote: »

From what I've read it's the 6th most successful German film at the box office and it's gonna be remade in America with Ben Afleck.

Oh Christ...! As for disliking the second part - you'll be delighted to hear that, apparently, a third one is in the making.

One of Til Schweiger's better movies would be Knockin' on Heaven's Door. Just found out it has English subtitles now - must get it for my other half.

galah

sweet lord, stay away from the "Blechtrommel" - we had to watch that movie in school, and I am still, 15 years later, struggling with their idea of eel fishing. Annoying little brat, Oscar Mazerath, as well.

Anyhoo...

For comedy value, try 'Traumschiff Surprise' or 'Der Schuh des Manitu'.

And for a bit of sobbing - the Sissi trilogy (not for boys, and not technically German either, but hey...).

I would stay away from watching English films dubbed in German though. It actually drives me mental when you can lip-read what they're saying in English, and then you hear the German over it. It's just annoying. You're better off watching actual German movies.

joebucks

My favorite German movie has to be Der Himmel uber Berlin (Wings of Desire) by Wim Wenders..World Class

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18gU7pY0P-Q

Gegen Die Wand as mentioned earlier ist einfach klasse. Auf der anderen Seite (the Edge of Heaven) by the same director Fatih Akin is also a great movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8rhDyhIloM

Stroszek and Aguirre by Werner Herzog are also top class.

Sonnenblumen

galah wrote: »

sweet lord, stay away from the "Blechtrommel" - we had to watch that movie in school, and I am still, 15 years later, struggling with their idea of eel fishing. Annoying little brat, Oscar Mazerath, as well.

Such a pity to see such a major film trivialised or dismissed, I don't think anyone ever died fishing for eels.

You do realise Oscar wasn't merely a brat, but a small manifestation of what has haunted Germany ever since.

Apart from ex DDR comedies, has there been any recommended documentaries/films on Ossie Neo-Nazis? I still vividly remember the Neu-Bundeslaender chants "Deutschland fuer Deutschen, Auslander raus".
Sometimes, politics change but people do not?:(

peasant

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

Apart from ex DDR comedies, has there been any recommended documentaries/films on Ossie Neo-Nazis?

Are there any films on that topic? Could you recommend one?

galah

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

Such a pity to see such a major film trivialised or dismissed, I don't think anyone ever died fishing for eels.

You do realise Oscar wasn't merely a brat, but a small manifestation of what has haunted Germany ever since.

Oh believe me, I realise. Had to read the book, watch the movie, and go through every little scene in unbelievable detail in school. I just don't like it, the way I also don't like any of the WWII movies or most of what hollywood produces, now matter how acclaimed movies may be. My personal opinion. If anyone wants to sit through that movie, they're more than welcome....

F.A.

galah wrote: »

Oh believe me, I realise. Had to read the book, watch the movie, and go through every little scene in unbelievable detail in school. I just don't like it

Kann ich verstehen. An Günter Grass scheiden sich bekanntlich die Geister...

Sonnenblumen

peasant wrote: »

Are there any films on that topic? Could you recommend one?

I would be interested to know if any films or TV drama documentaries have been made. I've only seen media reportings of events.