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Why are German films often so formulaic even though Germany is a European culture? I love them but they follow formula very closely like Hollywood. What are the best German films?

Last Updated: 16.06.2025 13:09

Why are German films often so formulaic even though Germany is a European culture? I love them but they follow formula very closely like Hollywood. What are the best German films?

What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.

Metropolis

Nackt

Is there scientific evidence for reincarnation? If so, how does it work and can it be proven through regression therapy?

And many I can't think of at the moment.

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Artists get better with age, e.g., painting. Yet when it comes to pop music, the famous work tends to be written when musicians are in their twenties. So, why aren't Bob Dylan or the Stones banging out amazing tunes now?

Besides these, there are some really good children's movies: More recently, the Bibi und Tina series as just one example. Looking back into the 80s and 70s, as well as into the present, I would even say that movies for children are what the German Film industry excels at. There is much less screaming and cake throwing and slimy monsters and much more discussing of matters that affect children in real life (even in phantasy plots) than in most US children's movies as far als I know them. The GDR was particularly well known for excellent children's movies but the west was and is good at it, too.

Didi - alles im Eimer

I have seen some very good German movies. It is not that they don't exist, but they hardly ever achieve much fame. Especially since people have been accustomed to the dominance of US popular culture.

Can you give an example of a documentary where the person telling the story believed it to be true, but it turned out to be false?

Here is a list of some (by no means all) German movies that are considered Classics (and a few that should be, in my opinion):

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Man spricht Deutsh

If my heart stopped beating, would I have enough energy to walk out into the other room 20 ft away before I passed out and died?

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

In Wirtschaftswunder times, most Western German movies were junk but the GDR produced some very good ones, e.g. Western movies and Spur der Steine; in the 70s Paul und Paula. I definitely recommend both!

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

Why do so many people find Kakashi's character so appealing and inspirational?

Lola rennt

Das Haus in Montevideo

In jenen Tagen

Do all rocket engines emit harmful gases into the atmosphere during launch?