Bismarck main backdrop
Bismarck main poster

5.7/10 • 7

1940-12-061h 54m

Drama

A biographical film of Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia, and how he and his policies - including aggressive war - helped to unite Germany.

Directors
Wolfgang Liebeneiner
Writters
Wolfgang Liebeneiner, Rolf Lauckner
Editors
Wolfgang Liebeneiner, Rolf Lauckner, Walter von Bonhorst

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Paul Hartmann

    Paul Hartmann

    Otto von Bismarck

  2. Friedrich Kayssler

    Friedrich Kayssler

    Wilhelm I.

  3. Hellmuth Bergmann

    Hellmuth Bergmann

    Albrecht von Roon

  4. Günther Hadank

    Günther Hadank

    Helmuth von Moltke

  5. Werner Hinz

    Werner Hinz

    Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm

  6. Ruth Hellberg

    Ruth Hellberg

    Kronprinzessin Victoria

  7. Maria Koppenhöfer

    Maria Koppenhöfer

    Königin Augusta

  8. Käthe Haack

    Käthe Haack

    Johanna von Bismarck

  9. Margret Militzer

    Margret Militzer

    Marie von Bismarck

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Apr 29, 2024

6/10

Aside from the fact that this was made at the height of the Third Reich - so it's underlying politic of the might of the German people and it's heroes it to be assumed, this is a rather dry and unremarkably sterile depiction of the eponymous statesman who worked with Wilhelm I of Prussia (Friedrich Kayßler) to create the German Imperial state. It tries to pack far too much over-simplified history into two hours and the portrayal of Bismarck himself by an underwhelming Paul Hartmann leaves us amidst a story of turbulent history told as if it were a child's "Janet and John" book. The complexities of the relationships between the Hapsburg Austro-Hungarian empire, Russians, French and British are all rather overlooked and certainly undercooked as we spend much of the film in audience chambers watching a vacillating king or in a prevaricating parliament where nothing seems to count for very much - until our hero arrives to convince and save the day. It's almost entirely confined to a sound-stage so what few opportunities offered us to experience the military tactics of Moltke against the Danes or the Austrians are largely confined to a map or to the inside of a tent. The ending justifies the dramatic means - and we know that there was a unified German Empire born in 1871. It's a watchable enough historical biopic, but no effort is made to develop the characters and the story is about as dry and processional as it can be. It's hard to imagine this as a successful piece of jingoism, to be honest. It's completely forgettable.

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    Status
    Released
    Original Language
    German
    Budget
    --
    Revenue
    --
    Keywords
    nazi