Günter Reisch

Directing

Günter Reisch

Born November 24, 1927 · Berlin, Germany

Died February 4, 2014 · aged 86

Günter Reisch (1927–2014) was one of DEFA’s most important and productive directors and screenwriters. After his graduation, he first worked together with Gerhard Lamprecht and Kurt Maetzig, then directed twenty feature films himself and lectured at the Babelsberg Film Academy, among other institutions. Reisch was a member of the Academy of Arts and the German Film Academy.

Known For

MyxosMyxos · 2009
Myxos
2009
MovieDrama
Young Friedrich is a loner. He doesn't want to work in his father's company later on, he wants to travel the world, become a writer and find the meaning of life. One day, by chance, he meets an old man who is traveling through the country with a strange suitcase. This suitcase is said to contain a kind of machine with which the old man can show people their own truth. Friedrich's life is about to change forever.
The Silent StarThe Silent Star · 1960
The Silent Star
4.91960
MovieScience Fiction
A mysterious magnetic spool found during a construction project is discovered to have originated from Venus. A rocket expedition to Venus is launched to discover the origin of the spool and the race that created it.
Ach, du fröhlicheAch, du fröhliche · 1962
Ach, du fröhliche
5.51962
MovieComedyDrama
It was supposed to be a cozy Christmas evening with the family. Labor Director Walter Lörke was particularly looking forward to it. But then his daughter Anne surprised him with her future son-in-law Thomas Ostermann. And that's not all: Lörke is to become a grandfather. This doesn't suit him at all, especially as the young man clearly shows his critical attitude towards the state whose ideals Lörke has fought for all his life. An argument ensues - on Christmas Eve. Lörke leaves the apartment in a rage. But he is driven by unrest: He wants to know what kind of person his future son-in-law is and why he has such a negative attitude towards the state. It turns out that Thomas has had bitter experiences with the opportunistic attitudes of many adults and that, although he was the best student in his class, he was not admitted to university because of his critical opinions.
Friendship TriumphsFriendship Triumphs · 1951
Friendship Triumphs
10.01951
MovieDocumentary
Film about the third 'Weltfestspiele der Jugend und Studenten für den Frieden' in East Berlin, 1951. West Germany is represented as a degenerate country which has been occupied by the Americans and is still inclined to fascism. We see the construction of the stadium, the departure and arrival of the delegations, the opening and closing by Enrico Berlinguer, a sports event, the parade of the delegations, a visit to Potsdam, folk dancing, and police violence against youngsters from West Berlin who want to visit East Germany because of the games. The film is interlaced with shots from the Korean War and a parade by NATO-troops in West Germany. Featuring Robert Montgomery, Konrad Adenauer, Wilhelm Pieck, Dwight Eisenhower, Robert Leer and Erich Honecker. The crew comprised no less than 24 cameramen. This project was the first great colour film Ivens co-operated in.
The FianceeThe Fiancee · 1980
The Fiancee
4.91980
MovieDrama
The wrenching story of a woman sentenced in 1934 to ten years in prison for antifascist activities. The love between her and her fiancée enables her to survive the tribulations of her time in prison, where she is one of few political prisoners.
Maiden, You Please MeMaiden, You Please Me · 1969
Maiden, You Please Me
5.41969
MovieComedyHistory
A Saxon village in 1792: While the Prussians go against France, the haymaking takes place in the village and the resolute Marthe catches her daughter Ev with the village blacksmith Ruprecht in the hay.
The Sailor's SongThe Sailor's Song · 1958
The Sailor's Song
6.61958
MovieHistoryDrama
A film about the historical uprising of the seamen in Kiel: During the Russian October Revolution of 1917, German and Russian soldiers start to solidarize with each other. By disarming the officers, machinist Henne Lonke and stoker Jens Kasten prevent the attack on a Russian freighter. When German admiralty gives out orders for operation "Nibelungen", which would lead the German fleet into a suicidal attack against England and quell the revolutionary spirit, seamen and soldiers from different political backgrounds unite in protest.
As Long as There’s Life in MeAs Long as There’s Life in Me · 1965
As Long as There’s Life in Me
10.01965
MovieDrama
This is part one of a two-part biopic about Karl Liebknecht. In 1914, Germany is arming itself for war. Karl Liebknecht, left-wing revolutionary Social Democrat, workers’ leader and a virulent antimilitarist, is one among 110 SPD members of Parliament who vote against approving war loans. From then on, he is considered un-German and a traitor to the fatherland, and his own party’s leadership turns against him. Despite threats, Liebknecht speaks up against the war and writes the manifesto “The Main Enemy Is at Home.” Even when he is arrested and charged with treason, he does not surrender.

Filmography

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Ach, du fröhlicheAch, du fröhliche · 1962
Ach, du fröhliche
5.51962
MovieComedyDrama
It was supposed to be a cozy Christmas evening with the family. Labor Director Walter Lörke was particularly looking forward to it. But then his daughter Anne surprised him with her future son-in-law Thomas Ostermann. And that's not all: Lörke is to become a grandfather. This doesn't suit him at all, especially as the young man clearly shows his critical attitude towards the state whose ideals Lörke has fought for all his life. An argument ensues - on Christmas Eve. Lörke leaves the apartment in a rage. But he is driven by unrest: He wants to know what kind of person his future son-in-law is and why he has such a negative attitude towards the state. It turns out that Thomas has had bitter experiences with the opportunistic attitudes of many adults and that, although he was the best student in his class, he was not admitted to university because of his critical opinions.

Director

Friendship TriumphsFriendship Triumphs · 1951
Friendship Triumphs
10.01951
MovieDocumentary
Film about the third 'Weltfestspiele der Jugend und Studenten für den Frieden' in East Berlin, 1951. West Germany is represented as a degenerate country which has been occupied by the Americans and is still inclined to fascism. We see the construction of the stadium, the departure and arrival of the delegations, the opening and closing by Enrico Berlinguer, a sports event, the parade of the delegations, a visit to Potsdam, folk dancing, and police violence against youngsters from West Berlin who want to visit East Germany because of the games. The film is interlaced with shots from the Korean War and a parade by NATO-troops in West Germany. Featuring Robert Montgomery, Konrad Adenauer, Wilhelm Pieck, Dwight Eisenhower, Robert Leer and Erich Honecker. The crew comprised no less than 24 cameramen. This project was the first great colour film Ivens co-operated in.

Director