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Ernst Thälmann – Leader of the Working Class backdrop

Ernst Thälmann – Leader of the Working Class

1955·History·2h 20m
7.1
★
This film is the second of a two-part historical and biographical portrait of the communist politician and anti-fascist Ernst Thälmann. Autumn, 1918: Somewhere on Germany’s western front, Ernst Thälmann, age twenty-four, is calling on his fellow soldiers to put down their guns and join him in the communist struggle at home. When Hamburg’s Police Commissioner blocks a much-needed food shipment to the workers of Petrograd, Ernst battles to see it allowed through. Until his murder on August 18, 1944, Ernst remained true to his political convictions in the face of many setbacks.
Directed by Kurt Maetzig
german democratic republic
socialism
biography
working class
communism
thälmann
proletarian
anti-fascism
proletariat
YouTube
Trailer
IMDB
IMDB
N/A

Cast

Günther Simon
Günther Simon
Ernst Thälmann
Hans-Peter Minetti
Hans-Peter Minetti
Fiete Jansen
Karla Runkehl
Karla Runkehl
Änne Jansen
Michel Piccoli
Michel Piccoli
Maurice Rouger
Werner Peters
Werner Peters
Quadde
Fred Delmare
Fred Delmare
Soldat
Paul R. Henker
Paul R. Henker
Karl Brenk
Karl Brenk
Theo Shall
Theo Shall
Angela Brunner
Angela Brunner
Erich Franz
Erich Franz
Erika Dunkelmann
Erika Dunkelmann

Crew

Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig
Director
Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig
Writer
Horst E. Brandt
Horst E. Brandt
Cinematography

Popular Reviews

2 reviews
va24mar
va24mar
9.0★ · 04/05/26
Ernst Thälmann – Leader of the Working Class
1955

Such a great film, even better than the first one!
1955

Such a great film, even better than the first one!
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va24mar
va24mar
9.0★ · 03/21/25
Ernst Thälmann – Leader of the Working Class
1955
“The most valuable thing a human owns is their life. It is only gifted once, and it should be spent so that dying, they can say: All my life, all my strength I spent on the greatest thing there is: The struggle to liberate mankind.”

Even better than the first part. Still somewhat jumpy in its structure as it literally jumps through almost 15 years of history, but it does a great job at that and ends with a punch.

The production feels even greater than in the first one and it really builds some momentum. It’s a great testament to strength and perseverance on the face of literal fascism. An ode to solidarity and class consciousness, to resistance and to standing by your values.

Imagine a world in which history turned out differently. A germany that turned red with solidarity. The dream might be over for now, but the struggle continues.
“Long live the anti-fascist struggle! Long live Ernst Thälmann!”
1955
“The most valuable thing a human owns is their life. It is only gifted once, and it should be spent so that dying, they can say: All my life, all my strength I spent on the greatest thing there is: The struggle to liberate mankind.”

Even better than the first part. Still somewhat jumpy in its structure as it literally jumps through almost 15 years of history, but it does a great job at that and ends with a punch.

The production feels even greater than in the first one and it really builds some momentum. It’s a great testament to strength and perseverance on the face of literal fascism. An ode to solidarity and class consciousness, to resistance and to standing by your values.

Imagine a world in which history turned out differently. A germany that turned red with solidarity. The dream might be over for now, but the struggle continues.
“Long live the anti-fascist struggle! Long live Ernst Thälmann!”
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Comment
4bonacci
4bonacciPRO
8.0★ · 08/11/24
Ernst Thälmann – Leader of the Working Class
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