Directing

Gerhard Klein

Born May 1, 1920 · Berlin, Germany

Died May 21, 1970 · aged 50

Gerhard Klein was a German film director and screenwriter, notable for his contributions to East German cinema. A native Berliner, Klein's work often reflected his deep connection to the city. During World War II, he was arrested for participating in the resistance against the National Socialists. After the war, he began his career as a cartoonist and documentary filmmaker. In 1952, he joined the…

Known For

Forest of FantasiesForest of Fantasies · 2014
Forest of Fantasies
2014
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
In winter, a landscape straight out of a fairy tale; in summer, still a region to refresh mind and soul – Rosegger's forest homeland. Deeply snow-covered forests, ptarmigan, snow hares, and majestic red deer in winter; refreshing streams, blossoming fruit trees, and shy fawns in spring; cooling giant trees, lush alpine meadows, and playful chamois kids in summer; otters and noble crayfish in crystal-clear trout streams, and a magnificent display of colors in autumn – all this Peter Rosegger described in his books. More than a hundred years have passed, but what has changed most since then is the people.
Alarm at the CircusAlarm at the Circus · 1954
Alarm at the Circus
10.01954
MovieDramaCrime
Two boys from West Berlin, Klaus and Max, live in poverty. They dream of a career in boxing and save every penny in order to buy boxing gloves for training. Nevertheless, they cannot seem to save enough and so they let themselves be hired by the bartender Klott for a twisted scheme. However, Klaus overhears one of Klott's conversations and learns that Klott intends for the boys to steal horses from the East Berlin Barlay Circus, where Klaus recently made some good friends. Indignant, he sets out to stop the robbery—and an adventurous action story results.
Baustelle XBaustelle X · 1950
Baustelle X
1950
MovieDocumentary
Documentary short to propagate the positive effects of labour protection laws.
A Berlin RomanceA Berlin Romance · 1956
A Berlin Romance
6.11956
MovieDramaRomance
Mid-1950s Berlin, before the building of the Wall. Uschi, a salesgirl and aspiring fashion model from the East, is attracted to Hans, from the West. But she also loves the bright shop windows in his part of the city. The flashiness of this new world soon evaporates, however, when Hans loses his job.
The Gleiwitz CaseThe Gleiwitz Case · 1961
The Gleiwitz Case
6.91961
MovieDramaHistory
To justify their invasion of Poland at the start of WWII, Nazi high command hatches a secret plan: six Polish men from an SS training camp are sent on a special mission to the town of Gleiwitz, to fake a Polish raid on Germany. The ‘provoked’ Germans will thus launch a ‘counterattack’ on Poland.
The Real Beauty and the BeastThe Real Beauty and the Beast · 2013
The Real Beauty and the Beast
2013
MovieDocumentary
It's a condition known as "hypertrichosis" or "Ambras Syndrome," but in the 1500s it would transform one man into a national sensation and iconic fairy-tale character. His name: Petrus Gonsalvus, more commonly known today as the hairy hero of Beauty and the Beast.
The Zernik Murder CaseThe Zernik Murder Case · 1972
The Zernik Murder Case
5.31972
MovieMysteryDrama
After meeting the woman on the train Erwin Retzmann kills her in the forest.
Stories of That NightStories of That Night · 1967
Stories of That Night
6.71967
MovieDrama
Four directors - four styles - four episodes, all relating the events of a single night which has entered the history books: August 12-13, 1961. There are thousands of complex narratives connected with the frontier drawn through the middle of Berlin, and each episode relates the story of a difficult decision made on that night...

Filmography

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Die Geschichte vom armen HassanDie Geschichte vom armen Hassan · 1958
Die Geschichte vom armen Hassan
10.01958
MovieFantasyFamily
The land in poor Hassan's Central Asian homeland is stony and lacks water. Every day, he gazes longingly at the well in the garden of the rich merchant Machmud, which is full to the brim. One day, Hassan's parrot sits on the edge of the well and is attacked by Machmud's guard dog. To save his only friend, Hassan has to kill the dog. The cadi then sentences him to take the place of the guard dog, chained up. When a horse is stolen, he also has to do its work. The slave girl Fatima is his only ray of hope. But even she cannot persuade him to flee, as his place seems predestined by Allah. Only an overheard deal between the merchant and the cadi makes Hassan realize that the world order is dictated by the rich.

Director

Just Don't Think I'll CryJust Don't Think I'll Cry · 1965
Just Don't Think I'll Cry
7.41965
MovieDrama
High-school senior Peter considers the adults around him to be hypocritical, self-congratulatory, and immersed in the past. He gets suspended for writing an essay that his teachers consider to be a challenge to the state. Just Don't Think I'll Cry became one of twelve films and film projects-almost an entire year's production-that were banned in 1965-1966 due to their alleged anti-socialist aspects. Although scenes and dialogs were altered and the end was reshot twice, officials condemned this title as "particularly harmful." In 1989, cinematographer Ost restored the original version, and this and most of the other banned films were finally screened in January 1990. Belatedly, they were acclaimed as masterpieces of critical realism.