The Teutons II

“Despite the success of the first season of ‘Die Deutschen’ (‘The Germans’), its long-term impulses for history courses at schools and universities, and its ongoing popularity on the web, one cannot rest on his laurels. During the conception and production of ‘Die Deutschen II’ (‘The Germans II’), it was our goal to realise even more impressive scenes. Even in seemingly small scenes, like in the films about Hildegard of Bingen, Karl Marx or Rosa Luxemburg, we aimed at achieving cinematic quality with respect to the dimension and style of the production design, the camera work and the lighting. It was an exciting and rewarding work.”
(Uwe Kersken, Gruppe 5 Filmproduction, Cologne).

The second season of the prime-time series „Die Deutschen“ („The Germans“) again covers a thousand years of German history, starting with Charlemagne in the early Middle Ages and reaching to the critical years of the Weimar Republic in the early twentieth century. The films show the different courses German History took throughout the centuries and underline the rich cultural influences underlying German identity.

Lead by a German main cast, hundreds of popular actors from Morocco, Romania and the Czech Republic helped to re-create the highlights and turning points of German History.

It took a plethora of extras, stuntmen, horses, detailed historical costumes and elaborate sets to stage historical battles, the German November Revolution of 1919, or Hitler’s infamous ‘Beer Hall Putsch’.

The episodes include scenes with astonishing 3D animations and computer effects, for instance the decisive battle of Thomas Müntzer against a noble army during the Peasants’ War, or the fully computer generated imperial palace of Charlemagne in Aachen.

Important personalities of German History guide through each episode, some of them well known, some not, but all of them important for the nation’s development.

Episode 1: Charlemagne and the Saxons
Episode 2: Frederick II and the Crusade
Episode 3: Hildegard of Bingen and the Women’s Power
Episode 4: Charles IV and the Black Death
Episode 5: Thomas Müntzer and the Peasants’ War
Episode 6: August the Strong and Love
Episode 7: Karl Marx and the Class Struggle
Episode 8: Ludwig II and the Bavarians
Episode 9: Rosa Luxemburg and Liberty
Episode 10: Gustav Stresemann and the Republic

10 x 45’ (HDTV)
ZDF