Directing

Joseph Vilsmaier

Born January 24, 1939 · Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Died February 11, 2020 · aged 81

No biography available.

Known For

StalingradStalingrad · 1993
Stalingrad
7.31993
MovieDramaHistory
A German Platoon is explored through the brutal fighting of the Battle of Stalingrad. After half of their number is wiped out and they're placed under the command of a sadistic captain, the platoon lieutenant leads his men to desert. The platoon members attempt escape from the city, now surrounded by the Soviet Army.
Nanga ParbatNanga Parbat · 2010
Nanga Parbat
6.62010
MovieAdventureDrama
Drama about the tragic Nanga Parbat expedition by the two Messner brothers in 1970, on which Reinhold Messners younger brother Günther died.
Brother of SleepBrother of Sleep · 1995
Brother of Sleep
6.71995
MovieDrama
In the beginning of the 19th century, Johannes Elias Alder is born in a small village in the Austrian mountains. While growing up he is considered strange by the other villagers and discovers his love of music, especially rebuilding and playing the organ at the village church. After experiencing an "acoustic wonder", his eye color changes and he can hear even the most subtle sounds.
Leo & ClaireLeo & Claire · 2002
Leo & Claire
6.82002
MovieDramaRomance
In 1933 Nuremberg, successful Jewish businessman Leo Katzenberger owns an apartment building and runs a shoe store. A devoted family man, he has a good relationship with his loving wife Claire. As the climate in Germany grows increasingly dangerous, bombshell Irene moves to the neighborhood. After forming an unlikely friendship, his relationship with Irene is immediately regarded with suspicion.
Marie CurieMarie Curie · 2016
Marie Curie
5.12016
MovieDramaHistory
The most turbulent five years in the life of a genius woman: Between 1905, where Maria Skłodowska-Curie comes with Pierre Curie to Stockholm to be awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the radioactivity, and 1911, where she receives her second Nobel Prize, after challenging France's male-dominated academic establishment both as a scientist and a woman.
The HarmonistsThe Harmonists · 1997
The Harmonists
6.71997
MovieMusicDrama
Comedian Harmonists tells the story of a famous, German male sextet, five vocals and piano, the "Comedian Harmonists", from the day they meet first in 1927 to the day in 1934, when they become banned by the upcoming Nazis, because three of them are Jewish.
Bullyparade: The MovieBullyparade: The Movie · 2017
Bullyparade: The Movie
5.32017
MovieComedy
A multi-episode movie based on the skit TV show "bullyparade".
Life Is Too LongLife Is Too Long · 2010
Life Is Too Long
5.02010
Movie
No crisis is as disastrous, overwhelming and unjust as that of Alfi Seliger. The Jewish filmmaker, hypochondriac and family man is up to his neck in problems: his pubescent children Romy and Alain find him ridiculous, his wife Helena would be happy if she only found him ridiculous, his bank is going bankrupt and his new film project is finding it difficult to meet with approval. Friend becomes foe, hope becomes paranoia and when even his psychiatrist advises him to end his life, Alfi Seliger attempts a theatrical exit. But as befits a born "Nebbich", a lovable loser, even this fails - he survives and only appears to awaken in his old life...

Movies

StalingradStalingrad · 1993
Stalingrad
7.31993
MovieDramaHistory
A German Platoon is explored through the brutal fighting of the Battle of Stalingrad. After half of their number is wiped out and they're placed under the command of a sadistic captain, the platoon lieutenant leads his men to desert. The platoon members attempt escape from the city, now surrounded by the Soviet Army.
Nanga ParbatNanga Parbat · 2010
Nanga Parbat
6.62010
MovieAdventureDrama
Drama about the tragic Nanga Parbat expedition by the two Messner brothers in 1970, on which Reinhold Messners younger brother Günther died.
Brother of SleepBrother of Sleep · 1995
Brother of Sleep
6.71995
MovieDrama
In the beginning of the 19th century, Johannes Elias Alder is born in a small village in the Austrian mountains. While growing up he is considered strange by the other villagers and discovers his love of music, especially rebuilding and playing the organ at the village church. After experiencing an "acoustic wonder", his eye color changes and he can hear even the most subtle sounds.
Leo & ClaireLeo & Claire · 2002
Leo & Claire
6.82002
MovieDramaRomance
In 1933 Nuremberg, successful Jewish businessman Leo Katzenberger owns an apartment building and runs a shoe store. A devoted family man, he has a good relationship with his loving wife Claire. As the climate in Germany grows increasingly dangerous, bombshell Irene moves to the neighborhood. After forming an unlikely friendship, his relationship with Irene is immediately regarded with suspicion.
Marie CurieMarie Curie · 2016
Marie Curie
5.12016
MovieDramaHistory
The most turbulent five years in the life of a genius woman: Between 1905, where Maria Skłodowska-Curie comes with Pierre Curie to Stockholm to be awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the radioactivity, and 1911, where she receives her second Nobel Prize, after challenging France's male-dominated academic establishment both as a scientist and a woman.
The HarmonistsThe Harmonists · 1997
The Harmonists
6.71997
MovieMusicDrama
Comedian Harmonists tells the story of a famous, German male sextet, five vocals and piano, the "Comedian Harmonists", from the day they meet first in 1927 to the day in 1934, when they become banned by the upcoming Nazis, because three of them are Jewish.
Bullyparade: The MovieBullyparade: The Movie · 2017
Bullyparade: The Movie
5.32017
MovieComedy
A multi-episode movie based on the skit TV show "bullyparade".
Life Is Too LongLife Is Too Long · 2010
Life Is Too Long
5.02010
Movie
No crisis is as disastrous, overwhelming and unjust as that of Alfi Seliger. The Jewish filmmaker, hypochondriac and family man is up to his neck in problems: his pubescent children Romy and Alain find him ridiculous, his wife Helena would be happy if she only found him ridiculous, his bank is going bankrupt and his new film project is finding it difficult to meet with approval. Friend becomes foe, hope becomes paranoia and when even his psychiatrist advises him to end his life, Alfi Seliger attempts a theatrical exit. But as befits a born "Nebbich", a lovable loser, even this fails - he survives and only appears to awaken in his old life...
Marvellous BavariaMarvellous Bavaria · 2017
Marvellous Bavaria
5.02017
MovieDocumentary
Bayern Sagenhaft is a documentary about the German state of Bavaria and its customs and traditions.
The Last TrainThe Last Train · 2006
The Last Train
7.22006
MovieWarDrama
A group of people are imprisoned in a rail car bound from Berlin to a concentration camp in 1945.
Didi Drives Me CrazyDidi Drives Me Crazy · 1986
Didi Drives Me Crazy
6.41986
MovieComedy
German vehicle fanatic Dieter 'Didi' accepts to drive a truckload of waste barrels to a French dump site. Didi ignores the plant needs to dump toxic waste after a major incident, which made the international news. But while the French site exploiter's agent Marcel believes it's Did's load, that's in fact a deliberately obvious diversion. Now everyone chases everyone else.
Die Geschichte vom Brandner KasparDie Geschichte vom Brandner Kaspar · 2008
Die Geschichte vom Brandner Kaspar
6.62008
MovieComedyDrama
70-year old Brandner Kaspar lives with his granddaughter Nannerl in the mountains at the Schliersee. As he is visited by the Death and wants to take him, Brandner Kaspar tricks him and gets another 20 years of life.
Charlie & Louise - Das doppelte LottchenCharlie & Louise - Das doppelte Lottchen · 1994
Charlie & Louise - Das doppelte Lottchen
6.11994
MovieFamilyComedy
The two twelve-year-old girls Charlotte Palfy and Louise Kröger meet on a language trip to Scotland and discover that they are twins who were separated shortly after birth. Charlotte, the daughter of a music hall composer, is cool, self-confident and cheeky, dresses accordingly and listens to techno music. Louise, who grew up with her mother, an advertising executive, wears more "old-fashioned" clothes, is shy and reserved, but conscientious and orderly. Determined to play fate, the two swap roles - at the end of the journey, Louise travels as Charlie to her father, who works as a composer in Berlin-Kreuzberg, while Charlie travels as Louise to her mother in Hamburg, where she works in an advertising agency. The girls realize that getting their parents back together is not as easy as they thought.
Autumn MilkAutumn Milk · 1989
Autumn Milk
7.91989
MovieDrama
With the death of her mother, eight-year-old Anna ends her childhood: From now on, she has to look after the nine-member family. Deprivation-rich years, which also find no end when Anna marries: Her husband Albert must be a soldier in the Second World War, and the pregnant Anna has to work hard in the farm and care sick relatives. Lonely and exposed to the harassment of the tyrannical mother-in-law, she waits for Albert, with no certainty that he will ever return.
MarleneMarlene · 2000
Marlene
5.72000
MovieDrama
In this biopic, Marlene Dietrich leaves Berlin for Hollywood, where she establishes herself as an international star through various film roles.
Rock CrystalRock Crystal · 2004
Rock Crystal
6.82004
MovieAdventureDrama
The towns of Gschaid and Millsdorf are in a constant state of feuding with each other. Nevertheless Gschaid's Sebastian and Millsdorf's Susanne are married. In her husband's town Susanne has to put up with daily harassment by the locals, which also extends to her two children. Finally she moves back to her parents, alone. When the children, who long to find a magical crystal they believe has the power to reunite the family, get lost in a howling blizzard on the exposed mountain after bringing their mother her Christmas presents, both towns set up rescue missions.
Hunger - Addicted to LoveHunger - Addicted to Love · 1997
Hunger - Addicted to Love
5.01997
MovieDramaRomance
Laura loves Simon and Simon loves Laura. But Laura does not love herself enough to let Simon closer to her. The reason being something nobody is allowed to know: she tries to suffocate any kind of feelings by giving in to eating attacks. When Simon finds out, their relationship threatens to break apart.
Russisch RouletteRussisch Roulette · 2012
Russisch Roulette
4.52012
MovieThriller
When her young son Nikolai disappears without a trace in the subway, German journalist Katharina Wagner suddenly realizes that she has powerful enemies in St. Petersburg. She has returned to show her child his father's grave – but did her husband Viktor really take his own life, or did he stir up a nest of scorpions that ultimately killed him? Katharina has few allies in her fight for Nikolai, but then it becomes clear who is truly on her side.
Rama DamaRama Dama · 1991
Rama Dama
6.21991
MovieDrama
Munich, World War II: The young Kati Zeiler runs a small barbershop. Her husband Felix is ​​fighting on the Eastern Front. So Kati draws her daughter Marie alone. A bomb attack destroys the shop and the apartment.
The Perjured FarmerThe Perjured Farmer · 2012
The Perjured Farmer
4.32012
MovieDrama
The wealthy farmer Karl Bruckner and his fiancée Anna are about to marry when Karl is killed in a car accident. While a world collapses for Anna, Charles' stepbrother Franz takes the opportunity to take possession of the family-owned farm. He lets Charles's will, in which Anna had been considered, disappear and swears a perjury that there was never a probate document. Anna is chased from the yard and leaves the village with her little daughter. Years later, she returns to finally bring the truth to light. Ludwig Anzengruber's famous folk piece as a gripping ...
August der GlücklicheAugust der Glückliche · 2002
August der Glückliche
10.02002
MovieComedy
When the heart-sick bus driver August is forced into involuntary retirement, he decides to gamble away his severance pay at the casino. But he wins: a million euros! Looking for a person who truly loves him, August places an advertisement in the newspaper: Millionaire is looking for a loving wife who will give him an heir! The pretty Sonja answers. She is supposed to give August a child, in exchange for the child inheriting the assets. What Sonja August is keeping quiet about: She is already pregnant and in acute financial trouble. But August's relatives also sense their chance at the million.
Das Weihnachts-EkelDas Weihnachts-Ekel · 2006
Das Weihnachts-Ekel
1.72006
MovieComedyDrama
Robert Lahnstein, feared TV commentator, doesn't like people, not even at Christmas. He wants to be alone - even on Christmas Eve. He thinks Christmas is just as hypocritical as politics. That's why he packs his SUV with a frozen goose and a Christmas tree to retreat to his lonely cabin in the mountains. But the plan ends for him in a tree. With the last of his strength he reaches a barn. But he is not allowed to be alone even in the deepest wilderness, because other people have also sought shelter from the snowstorm in this barn and Robert Lahnstein has to gradually put aside his rudeness and his prejudices.
Der Boandlkramer und die ewige LiebeDer Boandlkramer und die ewige Liebe · 2021
Der Boandlkramer und die ewige Liebe
5.82021
MovieComedyFamily
Death (in Bavarian: Boandlkramer) is supposed to get little Maxl, but he falls in love with Maxl's mother. Confused by the previously unknown feelings, he confides in the devil. The incarnate persuades him to start a business where the Boandlkramer gets the chance to compete for Gefi as a mortal. Encouraged by the advice of the recently deceased womanizer Max Gumberger, the Boandl stumbles through earthly life in search of eternal love.
And Nobody Weeps For MeAnd Nobody Weeps For Me · 1996
And Nobody Weeps For Me
4.71996
MovieDrama
Between 1924 and 1934, six children grow up in an apartment building in the Munich suburbs. Among them is the rather inconspicuous and melancholy Leo Knie, who has been in love with the pretty Marilli Kosemund since early childhood. Marilli is not averse to the young man's advances, but she wants to be conquered. But that is exactly what shy Leo finds difficult. So he escapes into harmless dancing with his buddies, pursues other girls - rather unsuccessfully - and resigns himself to his predetermined fate.

TV Shows

Scene of the CrimeScene of the Crime · 1970
Scene of the Crime
6.21970
SeriesDramaCrime
Tatort is a long-running German/Austrian/Swiss crime television series set in various parts of these countries. The show is broadcast on the channels of ARD in Germany, ORF in Austria and SF1 in Switzerland.
AbendschauAbendschau · 2000
Abendschau
4.32000
Series
The Berliner Abendschau is the news magazine for Berlin.
Wir in BayernWir in Bayern · 2003
Wir in Bayern
7.02003
SeriesDocumentary
Auf AchseAuf Achse · 1980
Auf Achse
6.51980
Series
The adventures of a group of German truckers on jobs all over the world.
Vera - Die Frau des SizilianersVera - Die Frau des Sizilianers · 2005
Vera - Die Frau des Sizilianers
6.02005
Series
Wie eine Träne im OzeanWie eine Träne im Ozean · 1970
Wie eine Träne im Ozean
1970
Series
A three-part film version of the novel by Manès Sperber, Concentrated on the years 1931 to 1934, with which the latter processed his experiences as a once-convinced young communist.
Das Blaue PalaisDas Blaue Palais · 1974
Das Blaue Palais
4.01974
SeriesSci-Fi & Fantasy
Das Blaue Palais is a series of five TV feature films written and directed by German author and filmmaker Rainer Erler. All five stories about the research and findings of an interdisciplinary scientific project have also been published as novels by Goldmann in 1978, 1979 and 1980. The series had an international cast. It was shot in Bavaria, Scotland, USA and Asia.
M/S GustloffM/S Gustloff · 2008
M/S Gustloff
2008
Series
Joseph Vilsmaier Two-part TV movie focuses on the tragic events surrounding the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German passenger ship, at the end of World War II. On 30 January 1945, Captain Hellmuth Kehding was in charge of the ship, evacuating wounded soldiers and civilians trapped by the Red Army. Soon after leaving the harbor of Danzig, it was hit by three torpedoes from the Soviet submarine and sank in less than an hour.