Das russische Wunder (The Russian Miracle) (1963) is a two-part East German documentary directed by Annelie and Andrew Thorndike. The documentary chronicles Russia’s dramatic transformation from the Tsarist Empire to the Soviet Union, covering key historical moments including the 1917 October...
An East German documentary film using archival footage to attempt a connection between Imperial Germany, the government of the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich to the government of West Germany at the time (1950s). Hence banned in West Germany for many years.
Urlaub auf Sylt (Vacation in Sylt) (1957) is an East German documentary directed by Annelie and Andrew Thorndike. The film investigates the past of Heinz Reinefarth, a former SS general involved in the suppression of the Warsaw Uprising, who later became the mayor of Westerland on the island of...
Diary of a German Woman (also known as You are Mine - A German Diary) is the most personal of the Thorndikes’ projects. Based on Annelie’s diary entries, her story was to be the starting point for a kind of all-German ‘Heimatfilm’ that praises the utopian power of the GDR and sharply...
Unternehmen Teutonenschwert (Operation Teutonic Sword) (1958) is an East German documentary directed by Andrew and Annelie Thorndike. The film investigates the alleged involvement of NATO General Hans Speidel in the 1934 assassination of Yugoslav King Alexander I and French Foreign Minister Louis...
Film report on the VII District Children's and Youth Spartakiade in Quedlinburg, combined with a presentation of sports education in the GDR in kindergarten, at school and in the company sports communities (without speaker and commentary).
Mein ganzes Leben lang (My Whole Life Long) (1971) is an East German documentary directed by Annelie and Andrew Thorndike. The film chronicles the life of Hermann Dünow, who reflects on his personal experiences and memories. Through interviews and archival footage, the documentary explores themes...
Dresden old and new, in between photo documents from 1945/46, the time of resurrection, enriched by very personal commentaries by woman director Annelie Thorndike. Music for solo trumpet, composed by Reiner Bredemeyer and played by Ludwig Guettler, is set to this film.
Die alte neue Welt (The Old New World) (1977) is an East German documentary directed by Annelie and Andrew Thorndike. The film explores the evolution of human history over millions of years, tracing the development of societal formations from primitive society to socialism and communism. Through a...
Die Konzessionen des Mister Urquhart (The Concessions of Mr. Urquhart) (1961) is an East German documentary directed by Andrew Thorndike, Annelie Thorndike, and Joachim Hadaschik. Produced by DEFA, the film explores political and economic themes through the lens of Mr. Urquhart’s dealings, likely...
Wladimir Iljitsch Uljanow Lenin (1970) is an East German documentary directed by Annelie and Andrew Thorndike. The film explores the life and legacy of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and the founding head of government in Soviet Russia. Through a blend of archival...
Alle Ideen beginnen als Traum (All Ideas Begin as a Dream) (1987) is an East German documentary directed by Annelie Thorndike. The film follows Professor Dr. Heiner Vollstädt and his groundbreaking research at the Central Institute for Earth Physics in Potsdam, where he has spent years working on...
Hier deutsche Volkspolizei (1972) is an East German documentary directed by Andrew Thorndike and Peter Vatter. Commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior of the GDR, the film provides an in-depth look at the operations of the Deutsche Volkspolizei (People's Police). It showcases various aspects...
Der Fall Harzmann und andere (The Harzmann Case and Others) (1957) is a 31-minute East German documentary directed by Andrew and Annelie Thorndike. Produced by DEFA, the film explores notable legal and judicial cases, likely examining political or social injustices within post-war Germany. Through...
Die Novemberrevolution 1918 (The November Revolution 1918) (1956) is a short East German documentary directed by Andrew and Annelie Thorndike. Produced by DEFA, the 6-minute film explores the pivotal events of the November Revolution, which led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the...
Die Prüfung (The Examination) (1952) is an East German documentary directed by Andrew Thorndike. Running at approximately 35 minutes, the film focuses on the reconstruction of schools in rural East Germany and the implementation of democratic educational reforms. It highlights the educational...
Die Sieben vom Rhein (The Seven from the Rhine) (1954) is an East German documentary directed by Andrew and Annelie Thorndike. The 76-minute film follows seven West German workers from the Ruhr region as they visit a steel factory in Riesa, East Germany, as part of the "Germans at the Same Table"...
