What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great German Films
Traces the history of the German movie industry from its beginnings in 1895 to 1981 and analyzes influential German movies
- GenresFilm
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1986
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 6, 2022
This old study of German film history, from its origins to c.1985, is an entertaining and informative book that will reward those with a less than academic interest in its subject. A mix of narrative history and discussions of specific movies, 'The Great German Films' emphasises what would be expected by those with some knowledge of the topic. The Weimar era silent movies are given most praise, whereas those productions released during the Nazi and immediate post-WW2 era are given in contrast short shrift. It is only with the rise of new directors such as Herzog, Fassbinder, Schlondorff and Petersen in the post-60s period that Ott sees a rejuvenation of German cinema.
Copiously illustrated with black and white photos, 'The Great German Films' is perhaps at its best when it discusses the broader history of German film outside the specific examples of selected films. Ott draws plenty of attention to the pioneering work of German film technicians, including the earliest silent movie makers, the cinematographers, sound specialists and studio producers. Whilst iconic personalities such as FW Murnau, Fritz Lang, Emil Jannings and Leni Riefenstahl are given appropriate space, just as pivotal to Ott's story are Carl Laemmle, Alfred Hugenberg, Erich Pommer and Arnold Fanck among other less famous figures. That German film makers led much of the technical change in cinema during the first twenty years of the 20th Century is discussed in great depth in this book, and it is a worthy subject for exploration.
The films that Ott selects are, on the whole, unsurprising. There is rich pickings from the Weimar era of course, and 'Dr Mabuse', 'Metropolis', Pandoras Box' and 'The Cabinet of Dr Caligari' are to be expected. The reader with limited knowledge of German film after c.1930 will find some unknown movies cited in Ott's book, and that is a good thing. There are some questionable selections; personally I would suggest 'Kolberg' (the last great Nazi epic) should have been swapped out for 'Request Concert' ('Wunschkonzert'). However that is a matter of subjective interest and one that might not fully explain German film history in the manner that Ott wished to achieve.
The major problem with this book is of course its age. In the 35+ years since its publication German cinema has undergone a significant renaissance, in part fuelled by the reunification of the old DDR and FRG into one Germany. Also, new voices from marginalised sections of German society have emerged, whether they be female, immigrant, LGBITQ or other. Whilst still in the commercial shadow of Hollywood the current German film industry is arguably more vital and important in the global context now than it has been since before WW2. Ott's book cannot incorporate the achievements of Fatih Akim, Sonke Wortmann or Tim Twyker because these film makers post-date his book's publication. Perhaps somewhere out there is a new book that supplants this text.
In summary 'The Great German Films' is a worthy book that will offer a lot to students of its subject, new or otherwise.
Copiously illustrated with black and white photos, 'The Great German Films' is perhaps at its best when it discusses the broader history of German film outside the specific examples of selected films. Ott draws plenty of attention to the pioneering work of German film technicians, including the earliest silent movie makers, the cinematographers, sound specialists and studio producers. Whilst iconic personalities such as FW Murnau, Fritz Lang, Emil Jannings and Leni Riefenstahl are given appropriate space, just as pivotal to Ott's story are Carl Laemmle, Alfred Hugenberg, Erich Pommer and Arnold Fanck among other less famous figures. That German film makers led much of the technical change in cinema during the first twenty years of the 20th Century is discussed in great depth in this book, and it is a worthy subject for exploration.
The films that Ott selects are, on the whole, unsurprising. There is rich pickings from the Weimar era of course, and 'Dr Mabuse', 'Metropolis', Pandoras Box' and 'The Cabinet of Dr Caligari' are to be expected. The reader with limited knowledge of German film after c.1930 will find some unknown movies cited in Ott's book, and that is a good thing. There are some questionable selections; personally I would suggest 'Kolberg' (the last great Nazi epic) should have been swapped out for 'Request Concert' ('Wunschkonzert'). However that is a matter of subjective interest and one that might not fully explain German film history in the manner that Ott wished to achieve.
The major problem with this book is of course its age. In the 35+ years since its publication German cinema has undergone a significant renaissance, in part fuelled by the reunification of the old DDR and FRG into one Germany. Also, new voices from marginalised sections of German society have emerged, whether they be female, immigrant, LGBITQ or other. Whilst still in the commercial shadow of Hollywood the current German film industry is arguably more vital and important in the global context now than it has been since before WW2. Ott's book cannot incorporate the achievements of Fatih Akim, Sonke Wortmann or Tim Twyker because these film makers post-date his book's publication. Perhaps somewhere out there is a new book that supplants this text.
In summary 'The Great German Films' is a worthy book that will offer a lot to students of its subject, new or otherwise.
Displaying 1 of 1 review