1523. The Protestant theologian Thomas Müntzer is entrusted with the pastorate by the 'Allstedt Council'. On the one hand, he is to open people's minds and hearts to more freedom, and on the other, he is to serve as an ally against the count.
It was supposed to be a cozy Christmas evening with the family. Labor Director Walter Lörke was particularly looking forward to it. But then his daughter Anne surprised him with her future son-in-law Thomas Ostermann. And that's not all: Lörke is to become a grandfather. This doesn't suit him at...
Plumber Martin and his younger colleague Frank are on call on Christmas Eve of all days. Frank's girlfriend Regina, who is expecting her first baby at any moment, is anything but thrilled. But it doesn't help, duty is duty. One emergency call follows another, but this evening it's not just broken...
Grandpa Lörke is preparing for a contemplative, quiet Christmas Eve. But nothing comes of it, because his daughter Anne informs him that his 17-year-old granddaughter has disappeared.
A group of young people draws straws to see who'll steal some cigarettes. With this theft, Sebastian starts a bizarre, symbolic odyssey through a sclerotic world, in search of himself and of truth and justice. When he tries withdrawing from one social paradigm, he finds himself caught in another.
Screen adaptation of Eichendorff's famous novella. A penniless drifter roams the land with his violin and preferably sings his songs to beautiful women. Two of his female admirers get him employed as a gardener at a castle. Yet he doesn't settle down for long, and moves on to his next temporary job...
After two failed marriages, Walter is finally looking for a wife again. But his father Paul, who believes his own position in the house would be jeopardized if a daughter-in-law came into the house, cunningly gets rid of all the candidates. Walter has placed an advertisement for a wife, as both the...
A German scientist drowns while on vacation in Bulgaria. The GDR state security authorities become involved in the investigation, suspecting a political murder.
The clever but poor farmer Klaus infuriates the rich big Klaus with his mischief. But little Klaus always manages to get out of the most difficult situations and emerge victorious in the end. But one day, big Klaus has a fit and wants to drown little Klaus. Now he once again has to rely on his...
In the wintry Baltics, a century is drawing to a close and with it the era of the old Junker aristocracy. Pastor Erwin Wenger falls in love with the beautiful Baroness von Werland. This love plunges him into serious conflicts of conscience, especially as he does not appear to be the young woman's...
Early 1921: a man is on his way home. Gleb Chumalov, regimental commander, worker and Hero of the Order of the Red Banner, returns to his home town from the Civil War. The victory over the enemies of the Russian people gives him the conviction that a new, better time will dawn overnight. Gleb looks...
When the hare stumbles over the sleeping hedgehog one Sunday morning, an argument ensues. The insulting word "crooked leg" is uttered. In his distress, the hedgehog develops the idea of a joint race. The hedgehog and his wife prove to the imaginary hare that the wiser laughs last.
Nine peasant woodcarvers from Poland, their works, their thoughts, and the unexpected elements in each personal view. They draw their themes from biblical characters, the day-to-day pleasures and labours of village life, their historical heritage, but also Auschwitz and the devil next-door....
