Part of learning German and Swiss German is watching movies in those languages. This post is a list of films that I have watched with notes to help you decide if you want to watch them too. Films are listed in alphabetical order. Check back often as I’ll be adding more films as I watch.
German Films
German original language films.
| Film | Notes |
|---|---|
| Berlin, Berlin: Lolle on the Run (2020) | The followup movie to the popular German sitcom Berlin, Berlin. The sitcom followed Lolle as she moved from a small town to Berlin where she lives with her hot second cousin Sven. Hijinks ensue and eventually they decide that it is totally ok to date your second cousin. If you are learning German and looking for something light to watch, Berlin, Berlin is a good choice as it has easy everyday (if somewhat silly at times) dialogue. This movie catches up with Lolle 15 years later. She is about to get married to her and Sven’s best friend Hart when surprise! Sven shows up to object. The resulting adventure plot is extremely ridiculous and makes absolutely no sense. Verdict: If like me, you have watched all of Berlin, Berlin and you are watching in order to learn German, you’ll get through it and you will be able to enjoy the few humorous moments. But for everyone else? Skip it. |
| Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel (1973) | A joint Czechoslovak-East German production with a cast composed of Czech and German actors each speaking their native language, this film was released in Czech and German with the actors dubbed for each version as needed. For many people in German and Czech speaking Europe, this adaptation of Cinderella is a nostalgic classic. In fact, I picked this film to watch after hearing several Swiss acquaintances make references to Aschenbrödel after a particularly pretty snowfall. English title: “Three Wishes for Cinderella” Verdict: Worth watching. Charming, but be warned that if hunting scenes bother you, this isn’t the film for you. |
| Into the Beat – Dein Hertz Tanzt (2020) | A young girl who has trained her whole life to follow in her famous parents’ footsteps as a ballerina finds her true passion for dance lies in hip hop. After her mother’s death and her father’s tragic injury, how does she choose between being true to herself and honoring her parents’ legacy? Verdict: A cliche hip hop vs ballet culture clash movie. So the real question is: are the dance sequences good? Yes and no. Yes for hip hop. There are several good hip hop sequences that more or less hold the movie together. No for ballet as the ballet sequences are very minimal. |
| Im Westen nichts Neues (2022) | Adapted from the novel of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque, this film follows Paul, a young German during WW1, from eager volunteer to soldier experiencing the horrific reality of war on the front line. English title: “All Quiet on the Western Front” Verdict: This is a visceral film and hard to watch, but worth it. The cinematography, in particular is exceptional. Among this films many awards are Academy Awards for Best International Feature and best Cinematography, both well deserved. Note: I have not watched the 1930 or 1970 adaptations, so I can’t say how this version compares. If you have, I would love to know what you think in the comments. |
| Lola Rennt (1998) | Lola needs 100,000 Deutschmarks and has 20 minutes to deliver them with life or death consequences if she fails. English title: “Run Lola Run” Verdict: A trippy, zippy, violent, philosophical run through Berlin. Recommended. |
| Metropolis (1927) | A pioneering sci-fi film about the conflict between the rich residents of an above ground utopian city and the workers who are forced to dwell underground and keep the city running. This one is a bit of a cheat as it is a silent film, however the inter-titles are in German. Verdict: Metropolis is widely regarded as one of the most influential sci-fi films ever made. For that reason, despite the long (2:30) runtime, it is a must-see. At the very least, you should read the wikipedia entry for this film. |
Swiss German Films
Swiss German original language films.
| Film | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bon Schuur Ticino (2023) | Fantastic slap-stick comedy that imagines what would happen if Switzerland voted to have one national language AND that language is French. I really enjoyed this film and have watched it several times now. English title “Bonjour Switzerland” Verdict: A Must Watch if you live in Switzerland and love culture and language. |
| Flitzer (2017) | A school teacher gets into money troubles with the mob and finds betting on soccer game streakers is his ticket out of that mess. Made by the same people as “Bon Schuur Ticino” above. English title: “Streaker” Verdict: Farfetched but fun. Worth a watch if you like silly comedies and aren’t bothered by a bit of nudity (it is about streakers after all.) |
| Die Goldenen Jahre (2022) | After retirement, a couple take a cruise and find that they have very different ideas about what they want out of life. English title: Golden Years Verdict: Funny, touching, and well acted, this film is worth watching. The plot and dialogue are easy to follow even if you don’t understand all of the Swiss German. |
| Heidi (2015) | A really terrific movie adaptation of the classic story by Johanna Spyri. The filmmakers understood exactly why the story has timeless appeal- a charming little girl and gorgeous mountain scenery. Verdict: A sweet story, beautifully told. Good to watch when you just want to relax with something not too challenging. |
| Zwingli (2019) | A biopic of Huldrych Zwingli, the leader of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland. English title: “The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life’s Portrait” Verdict: Interesting to see the Zürich area sights and learn the history but not an easy movie to follow if religious arguments aren’t your thing. I’m glad I watched it, but once is enough. |
If you have any recommendations for great German or Swiss German films that I should watch, please let me know in the comments!
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