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Ernst Thälmann – Son of the Working Class
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Ernst Thälmann – Son of the Working Class

1954-03-09 · 124 min · ★ 5.7

History · Drama

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 SimonGünther SimonErnst Thälmann
Hans-Peter MinettiHans-Peter MinettiFiete Jansen
Erich FranzErich FranzArthur Vierbreiter
Erika DunkelmannErika DunkelmannMartha Vierbreiter
Johannes ArpeJohannes ArpeHöhn
Raimund SchelcherRaimund SchelcherKrischan Daik
Karla RunkehlKarla RunkehlÄnne Harms
Gerhard BienertGerhard BienertOtto Kramer
Robert TröschKuddel Riemöller
Wolf KaiserMajor Zinker
Werner PetersWerner PetersHauptmann Quadde
Martin FlörchingerMartin FlörchingerKarl Liebknecht
Steffie SpiraSteffie SpiraClara Zetkin
Hans FlösselScheidemann
Walter E. FußKarl Borns
Rudolf KlixRudolf KlixWillbrandt
Hans KleringHans KleringAsmussen
Gerhard LauHein Heber
Sergei KalininSowjetischer Kapitän
Werner PledathWerner PledathHauck

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