List of German films of 1895–1918

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This is a list of the most notable films produced in the German Empire until 1918, in year order.

Contents

It includes German films from the introduction of the medium to the resignation of the Emperor at the end of World War I. Many of these films laid the groundwork for German Expressionism.

For an alphabetical list of articles on films of the period see Category:Films of the German Empire.

1890s

TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
1895
Akrobatisches Potpourri Max & Emil Skladanowsky Grunato familyDocumentaryRelease: Nov. 1
Bauerntanz zweier Kinder Max Skladanowsky DocumentaryRelease: Nov 1
Boxing Kangaroo Max Skladanowsky Mr DelawareDocumentaryRelease: Nov 1
The German Emperor Reviewing His Troops Birt Acres Earliest known footage of Kaiser Wilhelm
Opening of the Kiel Canal Birt Acres Early footage of Kaiser Wilhelm
Serpentinen Tanz Max Skladanowsky DocumentaryRelease: Nov 1
1896
Leben und Treiben am Alexanderplatz Max Skladanowsky
1897
Apotheose II Max Skladanowsky
1898
Kaiser von Deutschland, der Kaiser von Österreich und der König von Sachsen am Tage der Jubiläumsfeier in DresdenEnglish: The Kaiser of Germany, the Kaiser of Austria and the King of Saxony on the day of the Jubilee Fair in Dresden
1899
German LancersA parade of the famous Second Guards, one of Emperor William's favorite regiments.
When the Bugle Sounds 'Charge' An attack by the famous Second Guards Regiment of Emperor William's Army on the Paradefeld.

1900s

TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
1900
Einzug unserer Chinakrieger in Berlin am 16.12.1900English: The Entry of Our China Soldiers in Berlin on Dec. 16, 1900 (about Boxer Rebellion?)
Eine moderne Jungfrau von Orleans Max Skladanowsky English: A Modern Maid of Orleans
1901
Einzug der Königin von Holland mit ihrem Gemahl in SchwerinEnglish: The Entry of the Queen of The Netherlands with her Consort in Schwerin
1902
When Knighthood Was in Flower
1903
Mr. Krebs in seiner senationellen Schleifenfahrt Arthur Robison English: Mr. Krebs in his Sensational Bicycleride
Der lustige Ehemann Otto Julius Bierbaum
1904
The Whistling Bowery Boy Oskar Messter
Kämpfe vor Port ArthurEnglish: The Campaign for Port Arthur
1905
Eine Fliegenjagd oder Die Rache der Frau Schultze Max Skladanowsky English: Hunting a Fly; Or, The Revenge of Frau Schultze
Afrikanische KriegsbilderWar documentaryEnglish: African War Pictures
1906
Apachentanz Oskar Messter, Albert Kutzner Henny Porten, Rosa Porten English: Apache Dance (A French dance)
Meißner Porzellan Franz Porten, Oskar Messter Henny Porten, Rosa Porten
1909
Prosit Neujahr 1910! Guido Seeber Animated filmFirst animated German film

1910-1914

TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
1910
Arsène Lupin contra Sherlock Holmes Viggo Larsen
Die geheimnisvolle Streichholzdose Guido Seeber Animated film Available online here
Sumurûn Max Reinhardt
1911
Der schwarze Traum Urban Gad German-Danish co-production; Danish: Den Sorte drøm
Die Suppe Julius Pinschewer partly animated filmAn advertisement for Maggi-Wuerze Available online here
The Traitress Urban Gad Asta Nielsen, Max Obal, Robert Valberg Drama
1912
In Nacht und Eis Mime Misu English: In Night and Ice; first German Titanic film ever made
Das Mirakel Mime Misu
Der Nähkasten Julius Pinschewer animated film
The Oath of Stephan Huller Viggo Larsen Viggo Larsen, Wanda Treumann Drama
Poor Jenny Urban Gad
Schatten des Meeres Curt A. Stark English: In the Shadow of the Sea
Tanz der Flaschen (Kupferberg Gold) Julius Pinschewer animated film
Tanz der Flaschen (Maggi) Julius Pinschewer animated filmAn advertisement for Maggi-Wuerze
1913
Der Film von der Königin Luise Franz Porten English: A Film of Queen Louise; in 3 parts
Die Insel der Seligen Max Reinhardt
The Life and Works of Richard Wagner Carl Froelich
William Wauer
Giuseppe Becce, Olga Engl biopic [1]
Der neue Schreibtisch Karl Valentin
Das rosa Pantöffelchen Franz Hofer Dorrit Weixler Comedy
Der Steckbrief Franz Hofer
The Student of Prague Stellan Rye, Paul Wegener English: A Bargain With Satan
The Weapons of Youth Friedrich Müller Gertrud Gräbner, Conrad Wiene
1914
The Armoured Vault Joe May Ernst Reicher, Hermann Picha, Fritz Richard Thriller
Der Hund von Baskerville Rudolf Meinert Alwin Neuß, Friedrich Kühne Crime
Detektiv Braun Rudolf Meinert Alwin Neuß, Friedrich Kühne Crime
Eine Venezianische Nacht Max Reinhardt
The Firm Gets Married Carl Wilhelm Victor Arnold, Ernst Lubitsch Comedy
Die geheimnisvolle Villa Joe May Ernst Reicher, Werner Krauss
He This Way, She That Way Robert Wiene Max Zilzer, Manny Ziener Comedy
The Iron Cross Richard Oswald Friedrich Kühne, Hedda Vernon, Hanni Weisse Drama
Ivan Koschula Richard Oswald Rudolph Schildkraut, Hanni Weisse Drama
The Man in the Cellar Joe May Ernst Reicher, Max Landa, Olga Engl Thriller
Miss Piccolo Franz Hofer Dorrit Weixler, Ernst Lubitsch, Alice Hechy Comedy
The Silent Mill Richard Oswald Alfred Abel, Ferdinand Bonn, Robert Valberg Drama

1915

TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
Aufs Eis geführt Ernst Lubitsch Ernst Lubitsch, Albert Paulig Comedy [2]
Berlin im Kriegsjahr Carl Wilhelm documentary
The Canned Bride Robert Wiene Margarete Kupfer, Guido Herzfeld Comedy
The Dancer Georg Jacoby Leopoldine Konstantin, Bruno Kastner Drama
Deutsche Kriegswoche Carl Wilhelm documentary
Fluch der Schönheit D.J. Rector Maria Carmi, Hans Mierendorff Drama [3]
Der Golem Henrik Galeen, Paul Wegener
Ein Held des Unterseebootes Walter Schmidthässler documentary
Laugh Bajazzo Richard Oswald Rudolph Schildkraut, Alfred Abel, Hanni Weisse Drama
Miss Piccolo Franz Hofer Dorrit Weixler, Ernst Lubitsch Comedy
No Sin on the Alpine Pastures Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Emmy Wyda, Lupu Pick Comedy
Photographischer Wettbewerb documentary
Robert and Bertram Max Mack Eugen Burg, Ferdinand Bonn Comedy
The Tunnel William Wauer Friedrich Kayßler, Fritzi Massary Drama
The Vice Richard Oswald Alfred Abel, Rosa Valetti, Arthur Wellin Drama
Der Zahnteufel Julius Pinschewer partly animated filmAn advertisement for Beiersdorfer Available online here
Zucker und Zimt Ernst Lubitsch Ernst Matray, Alice Hechy Comedy [4]

1916

TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
Bogdan Stimoff Georg Jacoby Carl Goetz, Georg Reimers DramaCo-production with Austria and Bulgaria
The Confessions of the Green Mask Max Mack Alfred Abel, Reinhold Schünzel Drama
Doktor Satansohn Edmund Edel Hans Felix, Marga Kohler, Ernst Lubitsch Comedy [5]
Frau Eva Robert Wiene Erna Morena, Emil Jannings Drama
His Coquettish Wife Hubert Moest Hedda Vernon, Erich Kaiser-Titz, Reinhold Schünzel Comedy
Homunculus Otto Rippert Olaf Fønss Science fiction6 part serial
The Knitting Needles Hubert Moest, Otto Rippert Erich Kaiser-Titz, Käthe Haack, Olga Engl Comedy
Lehmann's Honeymoon Robert Wiene Guido Herzfeld, Arnold Rieck Comedy
Leutnant auf Befehl Ernst Lubitsch Harry Liedtke, Max Gulstorff, Ossi Oswalda Drama [6]
Die Peitsche Adolf Gartner Ernst Reicher, Nelly Ridon Drama [7]
The Queen's Love Letter Robert Wiene Henny Porten, Arthur Schröder Comedy
The Queen's Secretary Robert Wiene Käthe Dorsch, Ressel Orla Comedy
The Robber Bride Robert Wiene Henny Porten, Friedrich Feher Comedy
Rose on the Heath Franz Hofer Lya Ley, Fritz Achterberg Drama
Rübezahl's Wedding Rochus Gliese, Paul Wegener Paul Wegener, Lyda Salmonova Drama [8] [9] [10]
Shoe Palace Pinkus Ernst Lubitsch Ernst Lubitsch, Guido Herzfeld Comedy
The Sin of Helga Arndt Joe May Mia May, Frida Richard Drama
Ein Tag bei der Armee Boehm-Ermolli documentary
Tyrannenherrschaft – Aus Polens schwerer Zeit Franz Porten English: Tyrannical Overlords-From Poland's Dark Time
The Uncanny House Richard Oswald Werner Krauss, Reinhold Schünzel, Lupu Pick MysteryReleased in three parts
Under the Spell of Silence Hanna Henning Reinhold Schünzel, Olga Engl Drama
Vengeance Is Mine Rudolf Meinert Hans Mierendorff, Marie von Buelow Crime
The Wandering Light Robert Wiene Henny Porten, Bruno Decarli Drama
Werner Krafft Carl Froelich Eduard von Winterstein, Erika Glässner, Reinhold Schünzel Drama [11]
The Yogi Paul Wegener, Rochus Gliese Paul Wegener, Lyda Salmonova Drama

1917

TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
Badeleben im dritten Kriegsjahr an der Ostsee William Karfiol documentary
Berliner Leben im dritten Kriegsjahr Frühling 1917 documentary
Ein Boxkampf mit John Bull Julius Pinschewer Animated propaganda film Available online here
The Diamond Foundation Johannes Guter Ernst Reicher, Marija Leiko, Frida Richard Crime
Dornröschen Paul Leni Mabel Kaul, Harry Liedtke, Käthe Dorsch Fairy tale
Dr. Hart's Diary Paul Leni Heinrich Schroth, Käthe Haack War
Fear Robert Wiene Bruno Decarli, Conrad Veidt Horror
Das fidele Gefängnis Ernst Lubitsch Harry Liedtke, Emil Jannings ComedyEnglish: The Merry Jail
Frank Hansen's Fortune Viggo Larsen Viggo Larsen, Lupu Pick Western
Germany and Its Armies Today documentaryCompilation of war films edited together for export
The Giant's Fist Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Johannes Riemann Drama
Hans Trutz in the Land of Plenty Paul Wegener Paul Wegener, Lyda Salmonova, Ernst Lubitsch Fantasy
Hilde Warren und der Tod Joe May Written by and starring Fritz Lang
Imprisoned Soul Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Paul Bildt Drama
Jan Vermeulen, the Miller of Flanders Georg Jacoby Fred Immler, Leo Lasko War
John Bull Julius Pinschewer Animated propaganda film Available online here
Let There Be Light Richard Oswald Bernd Aldor, Hugo Flink DramaFollowed by three other parts
Life Is a Dream Robert Wiene Emil Jannings, Bruno Decarli Drama
The Lord of Hohenstein Richard Oswald Bernd Aldor, Rita Clermont, Lupu Pick Drama
The Lost Paradise Bruno Rahn Mady Christians, Erich Kaiser-Titz Drama
The Love of Hetty Raimond Joe May Mia May, Bruno Decarli, Heinrich Peer Drama
Die Marokkodeutschen in der Gewalt der Franzosen Waldemar Hecker documentary
The Man in the Mirror Robert Wiene Maria Fein, Bruno Decarli Drama
The Marriage of Luise Rohrbach Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Emil Jannings Drama
Mountain Air Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Paul Hartmann, Reinhold Schünzel Comedy
The Onyx Head Joe May Max Landa, Leopoldine Konstantin Crime
The Path of Death Robert Reinert Maria Carmi, Carl de Vogt, Conrad Veidt Drama
The Picture of Dorian Gray Richard Oswald Bernd Aldor Drama
The Princess of Neutralia Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Paul Bildt Comedy
The Ring of Giuditta Foscari Alfred Halm Emil Jannings, Harry Liedtke, Erna Morena Drama
Das Säugetier Robert L. Leonard Animated propaganda film Available online here
The Sea Battle Richard Oswald Emil Jannings, Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt War
The Spy Karl Heiland Ferdinand Bonn, Ellen Richter, Conrad Veidt Spy drama
Steadfast Benjamin Robert Wiene Arnold Rieck, Guido Herzfeld Comedy
Unusable Georg Jacoby Adele Sandrock, Grete Diercks Drama
Wedding in the Eccentric Club Joe May Harry Liedtke, Kathe Haack, Bruno Kastner Drama [12]
When Four Do the Same Ernst Lubitsch Ossi Oswalda, Emil Jannings Comedy/Drama
When the Dead Speak Robert Reinert Maria Carmi, Carl de Vogt, Conrad Veidt Drama
When the Heart Burns with Hate Kurt Matull Pola Negri, Hans Adalbert Schlettow Drama

1918

TitleDirectorCastGenreNotes
The Adventure of a Ball Night Viggo Larsen Gertrude Welcker, Paul Bildt, Paul Biensfeldt Adventure
Agnes Arnau and Her Three Suitors Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Hermann Thimig, Kurt Ehrle Comedy
Alraune, die Henkerstochter, genannt die rote Hanne Eugen Illés, Joseph Klein
Die Augen der Mumie Ma Ernst Lubitsch
The Ballet Girl Ernst Lubitsch Ossi Oswalda, Harry Liedtke, Margarete Kupfer Comedy
The Beggar Countess Joe May, Bruno Ziener Mia May, Heinrich Peer, Johannes Riemann Drama
The Blue Lantern Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Ferdinand von Alten Drama
Bukarest im dritten Kriegsjahr documentary
Carmen Ernst Lubitsch Pola Negri, Harry Liedtke Dramaaka Gypsy Blood
Colomba Arzén von Cserépy Erna Morena, Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt Drama
Countess Kitchenmaid Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Heinrich Schroth Comedy
Diary of a Lost Woman Richard Oswald Erna Morena, Conrad Veidt, Werner Krauss Drama
Doctor Schotte William Wauer Albert Bassermann, Elsa Bassermann Drama
Europe, General Delivery Ewald André Dupont Max Landa, Guido Herzfeld Mystery
Father and Son William Wauer Albert Bassermann, Elsa Bassermann Drama
Ferdinand Lassalle Rudolf Meinert Erich Kaiser-Titz, Hanna Ralph Biopic
The Flight of Arno Jessen Richard Eichberg Ernst Rückert, Eva Speyer Drama
The Foreign Prince Paul Wegener Paul Wegener, Lyda Salmonova Drama
Five Minutes Too Late Uwe Jens Krafft Mia May, Johannes Riemann, Bruno Kastner Thriller
The Flyer from Goerz Georg Jacoby Ellen Richter, Harry Liedtke War
The Ghost Hunt Johannes Guter Ernst Reicher, Esther Carena, Aruth Wartan Crime
His Majesty the Hypochondriac Frederic Zelnik Grete Diercks, Kurt Vespermann Comedy
The Homecoming of Odysseus Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Bruno Decarli Comedy
Ikarus, the Flying Man Carl Froelich Gustav Botz, Esther Carena, Olga Engl Spy drama [13]
In the Castle by the Lake Eugen Burg Wanda Treumann, Reinhold Schünzel, Karl Beckersachs Drama
Jettchen Gebert's Story Richard Oswald Mechthildis Thein, Conrad Veidt Drama
The Lady, the Devil and the Model Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Alfred Abel, Eugen Rex Drama
Lorenzo Burghardt William Wauer Albert Bassermann, Elsa Bassermann, Käthe Haack Drama
Mania Eugen Illés Pola Negri, Arthur Schröder Drama
Midnight Ewald André Dupont Max Landa, Karl Beckersachs, Reinhold Schünzel Crime
Ich möchte kein Mann sein Ernst Lubitsch Ossi Oswalda, Curt Goetz, Ferry Sikla
The Nun and the Harlequin Alfred Halm Frederic Zelnik, Lya Mara, Paul Bildt Drama
Ein neuer Dreibund Julius Pinschewer Animated propaganda film Available online here
The Pied Piper of Hamelin Paul Wegener Paul Wegener, Lyda Salmonova, Wilhelm Diegelmann Drama
Precious Stones Rudolf Biebrach Paul Bildt, Henny Porten, Paul Hartmann Drama
The Prisoner of Dahomey Hubert Moest Fritz Delius, Paul Hartmann Drama
Put to the Test Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Heinrich Schroth, Reinhold Schünzel Comedy
The Rat Joe May, Harry Piel Heinrich Schroth, Olga Engl, Käthe Haack Crime
Das Rätsel von Bangalor Paul Leni, Alexander Antalffy
The Ringwall Family Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Bruno Decarli, Kurt Vespermann Drama
The Rosentopf Case Ernst Lubitsch Ernst Lubitsch, Trude Hesterberg, Margarete Kupfer Comedy
The Sacrifice Joe May Mia May, Harry Liedtke, Anton Edthofer Drama
Sadja Adolf Gärtner, Erik Lund Eva May, Hans Albers Drama
The Salamander Ruby Rudolf Biebrach Bruno Decarli, Mechthildis Thein, Hugo Flink Drama
Der Schreiber und die Biene Julius Pinschewer partly animated filmAn advertisement for Eduard Beyer
The Seeds of Life Georg Jacoby Emil Jannings, Hanna Ralph DramaReleased in three parts
The Serenyi Alfred Halm Lya Mara, Erich Kaiser-Titz, Conrad Veidt Comedy
The Son of Hannibal Viggo Larsen Viggo Larsen, Käthe Haack Drama
Spring Storms Fern Andra Fern Andra, Josef Peterhans, Reinhold Schünzel Drama
The Story of Dida Ibsen Richard Oswald Anita Berber, Conrad Veidt Drama
The Toboggan Cavalier Ernst Lubitsch Ossi Oswalda, Harry Liedtke Comedy
The Victors Rudolf Biebrach Henny Porten, Arthur Bergen, Bruno Decarli Drama
Waves of Fate Joe May Mia May, Erich Kaiser-Titz, Georg John Drama
The Yellow Ticket Eugen Illés Pola Negri, Harry Liedtke, Victor Janson Drama
Your Big Secret Joe May Mia May, Käthe Haack, Johannes Riemann Drama
The Zaarden Brothers William Wauer Albert Bassermann, Elsa Bassermann, Marija Leiko Drama

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References

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  2. "Aufs Eis gefuhrt".
  3. "The German Early Cinema Database: Film Supply 1895-1920: Infos".
  4. "Zucker und Zimt".
  5. "Doktor Satansohn".
  6. "The German Early Cinema Database: Film Supply 1895-1920: Film: Leutnant auf Befehl". Archived from the original on 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  7. "Die Peitsche".
  8. "- YouTube". YouTube .
  9. "Rübezahls Hochzeit | filmportal.de". Archived from the original on 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  10. "Rübezahls Hochzeit". IMDb .
  11. "German Films: Personal Info: Reinhold Schuenzel".
  12. "Die HOCHZEIT IM EXCENTRIC-CLUB (1917)". Archived from the original on April 1, 2017.
  13. "Ikarus, the flying Man (1918)".