

Ernst Thälmann – Son of the Working Class
1954-03-09 · 124 min · ★ 5.7
This film is the first of a two-part historical and biographical portrait of the communist politician and anti-fascist Ernst Thälmann. In early November 1918, Ernst Thälmann is an unwilling soldier serving on the western front. As the revolutionary movement at home is threatened by the betrayal of the Social Democrats and fissures in the working class, Thälmann calls on his fellow soldiers to put down their weapons and unite with the workers in the communist struggle at home. Thälmann’s qualms about which side he is fighting on continue, but when the local police attempt to prevent a shipment of provisions and supplies from reaching the people in Petrograd, he intervenes and the ship is unloaded. With this moment of clarity, Thälmann continues to follow his political convictions and joins the workers at the Hamburg uprising in October 1923.
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Production details
- Directors
- Kurt Maetzig
- Production companies
- DEFA-Studio für Spielfilme
- Countries
- East Germany
- Status
- Released
Top Cast
Günther SimonErnst Thälmann
Hans-Peter MinettiFiete Jansen
Erich FranzArthur Vierbreiter
Erika DunkelmannMartha Vierbreiter
Johannes ArpeHöhn
Raimund SchelcherKrischan Daik
Karla RunkehlÄnne Harms
Gerhard BienertOtto Kramer
Werner PetersHauptmann Quadde
Martin FlörchingerKarl Liebknecht
Steffie SpiraClara Zetkin
Rudolf KlixWillbrandt
Hans KleringAsmussen
Werner PledathHauckTitle information and images are supplied by TMDb. Explore our discovery guide for advice on comparing metadata and legal viewing options.
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