Wolfgang Petersen was one of the most successful German directors in general, who set new standards for effects in this country and shot some classics of the 90s cinema in Hollywood. The filmmaker died in Los Angeles last Friday.
We therefore look back at some of his films that have accompanied us over the years. Partly unbelievable sad fantasy adventure to the old-fashioned blockbuster starring Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom. 5 of the best Wolfgang Petersen films show how versatile the successful director, born in Emden in 1941, was.
1. Wolfgang Petersen film: The Neverending Story
The NeverEnding Story – Trailer (German) HD
Wolfgang Peterson wrote the trauma of an entire generation into his film adaptation of Michael Ende’s youth book The Neverending Story. Here in Phantásia we learned as children to understand how terrible “nothingness” can be. Here we celebrated and feared creatures (beautifully brought to life through puppet arts) from the dragon Fuchur to the werewolf Gmork. And there is hardly anyone who does not remember Atreju’s horse Artax sinking in the swamp. Dark, exciting and touching – this is how fantasy should be. (IT)
2. Wolfgang Petersen film: Troy
Troy – Trailer (German)
Anyone who complains about inaccuracies in the transmission of the Homer epic has not understood the “blockbuster” principle. Wolfgang Petersen scrapes precisely those particles from the story that can be translated into tremendous visual values: multi-headed battles, duels of life and death, forbidden love, injured pride. In addition, Brad Pitt plays Achilles as an ancient superhero in leather pants that are much too short. A picture for ever! (HB)
3. Wolfgang Petersen film: The Boat
The Boat – Trailer (English) HD
1941, the Second World War is raging, and the Nazi propaganda machine is running at full speed on the home front. The war correspondent Werner (Herbert Grönemeyer) therefore goes on board U-96, a submarine with the task of to sink English transport ships in the Atlantic. The result is not only one of the best German films ever, but also a sometimes extremely exciting and oppressive submarine thriller with a top cast. However, the experience of Das Boot depends a lot on the version you’re watching : (JJ)
4. Wolfgang Petersen film: Air Force One
Air Force One – Trailer (English)
Wolfgang Petersen prepared a big action stage for Harrison Ford in his prime. Air Force One is a routine and precise action piece. When the graying Ford confronts terrorists in the confined space of the state aircraft, it’s reminiscent of the king of this fish-out-of-water action genre: Die Hard.
The best praise for Air Force One and Wolfgang Petersen comes from Michael Haneke:
“If I look at Airforce One, for example, by Mr. Petersen, that’s a nasty piece of propaganda. But it’s so well done that viewers don’t even know it’s a political film. But they think that would be a Great action film, super exciting.” (HB)
5. Wolfgang Petersen film: In the Line of Fire
In the Line of Fire – Trailer (German) HD
Excellent thriller entertainment is delivered by In the Line of Fire, in which Clint Eastwood plays a Secret Service agent with a bad rap. For years he has been haunted by feelings of guilt over the assassination of John F. Kennedy. As the only active agent from those days, he is confronted with a new danger: “Booth” (John Malkovich) calls him and announces that he wants to kill the President of the United States.
Petersen stages a addicting cat and mouse game, whose core relationship is reminiscent of serial killer films like The Silence of the Lambs or Seven. In Malkovich and Eastwood, he has two stars who are so entertaining in their roles that the stunner is a joy to watch. (YY)
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