Frank Beyer

Directing

Frank Beyer

Born — Died

1932-05-26 — 2006-10-01

Place of birth

Nobitz, Germany

Known for

Directing

Credits

46 titles

Frank Paul Beyer was a German film director. In East Germany he was one of the most important film directors, working for the state film monopoly DEFA and directed films that dealt mostly with the Nazi era and contemporary East Germany. His film Trace of Stones was banned for 20 years in 1966 by the ruling SED.

Known for

Film credits

Series credits

Behind the camera

Five Cartridges poster
7.6

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), five International Brigade soldiers of different nationalities are given a crucial assignment as their commander lies dying: they are to smuggle top-secret information across enemy lines.

Five Cartridges

1960

Naked Among Wolves poster
6.3

Based on a true story of inmates at KZ Buchenwald that risked their lives to hide a small Jewish boy shortly before the liberation of the camp.

Naked Among Wolves

1963

Naked Among Wolves poster
6.3

Based on a true story of inmates at KZ Buchenwald that risked their lives to hide a small Jewish boy shortly before the liberation of the camp.

Naked Among Wolves

1963

The Break poster
4.6

A story about massive robbery from the safe of German railways set in 1946.

The Break

1989

Jacob the Liar poster
6.9

A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.

Jacob the Liar

1974

Jacob the Liar poster
6.9

A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.

Jacob the Liar

1974

Carbide and Sorrel poster
6.9

After the second World War, Dresden has a lot of reconstructing to do. To get the cigarette factory he once worked for running again, Kalle has to travel to Wittenberg - the only place where carbide can be found. Once there, Kalle find himself in the unfortunate situation of having to hitchhike his way back to Dresden, transporting seven heavy barrels of carbide. However, his inventiveness and optimistic attitude help transform the grueling task into an adventurous, entertaining, and funny journey.

Carbide and Sorrel

1963

Carbide and Sorrel poster
6.9

After the second World War, Dresden has a lot of reconstructing to do. To get the cigarette factory he once worked for running again, Kalle has to travel to Wittenberg - the only place where carbide can be found. Once there, Kalle find himself in the unfortunate situation of having to hitchhike his way back to Dresden, transporting seven heavy barrels of carbide. However, his inventiveness and optimistic attitude help transform the grueling task into an adventurous, entertaining, and funny journey.

Carbide and Sorrel

1963

No artwork available
9.0

After 20 years and with their children gone, Georg and Charlotte face unexpected distance. Charlotte, eager to enjoy newfound freedom, clashes with Georg, who withdraws into solitude. Their once-solid marriage frays as each insists on personal plans, leaving longtime friends Peter and Christa to watch the uneasy drift.

Sie und Er

1992

No artwork available
9.0

After 20 years and with their children gone, Georg and Charlotte face unexpected distance. Charlotte, eager to enjoy newfound freedom, clashes with Georg, who withdraws into solitude. Their once-solid marriage frays as each insists on personal plans, leaving longtime friends Peter and Christa to watch the uneasy drift.

Sie und Er

1992

Star-Crossed Lovers poster
8.8

Magdalena and Michael have loved each other since they were children. But when the Nazis come to power, Michael rebels against the regime and is sentenced to fifteen years in a concentration camp. Magdalena, meanwhile, goes underground with the help of a friend and later immigrates to the Soviet Union. Michael, who has joined the Red Army, discovers on the way to Moscow that Magdalena is staying there. But when his plane lands, she is already on her way back to Germany. Michael hopes that one day, he and Magdalena will be reunited.

Star-Crossed Lovers

1962

Der Hauptmann von Köpenick poster
5.8

Each is dependent on the other. He breaks into the passport office to get a passport. He is surprised and ends up back in prison, where he is trained in military drill. After his release, he once again lodges with relatives, his sister and brother-in-law. Wearing a second-hand captain's uniform, he first takes over a guard unit and uses it to occupy Köpenick town hall, where all the employees of the town council submit to the supposed captain. The mayor is promoted to Berlin and Voigt presents himself to the authorities a few days later. At first, everyone present laughs at the prank, but then Voigt is made aware of the legal consequences. He is sent back to prison, but shortly afterwards he is pardoned by the Emperor.

Der Hauptmann von Köpenick

1997

The Last U-Boat poster
5.7

Near the end of WWII a lone U-Boat is sent from Germany to Japan carrying plutonium needed for a Japanese A-Bomb. During the long journey, news arrives on the radio that Hitler killed himself and Germany has surrendered. This causes a rift in the crew, the Nazi Party members wanting to continue to Japan since they are still at war, while the others just want to surrender or return home.

The Last U-Boat

1993

Das Stacheltier: Fridericus Rex - Part Eleven poster
8.0

Two UFA employees travel by car from West Berlin to Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace together with Ministerial Director Schimmelpfennig to persuade Frederick II, who haunts the palace, to collaborate on a new film about himself. The daily newspaper Die Welt had already written about the fact that at the founding meeting of the new UFA, its director pointed out under the motto: "The old spirit lives" that the monumental film Fridericus Rex - Eleventh Part was a first contribution to the ideological armament of the Free World.

Das Stacheltier: Fridericus Rex - Part Eleven

1957

Das Stacheltier: Fridericus Rex - Part Eleven poster
8.0

Two UFA employees travel by car from West Berlin to Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace together with Ministerial Director Schimmelpfennig to persuade Frederick II, who haunts the palace, to collaborate on a new film about himself. The daily newspaper Die Welt had already written about the fact that at the founding meeting of the new UFA, its director pointed out under the motto: "The old spirit lives" that the monumental film Fridericus Rex - Eleventh Part was a first contribution to the ideological armament of the Free World.

Das Stacheltier: Fridericus Rex - Part Eleven

1957

No artwork available
NR

a tv-movie by Frank Beyer

Der Geizige

1968

Polonia-Express poster
7.0

Railway employee Fritz Marr is not regarded well by his superiors. It is the year 1920, and trains regularly pass the railway hub of Erfurt to the East to secretly transport weapons for the fight against the young Soviet Union. Marr knows about this and wants to mobilise other workers to stop these illegal deliveries. To muzzle him, Marr is relocated to a remote rail work construction site.

Polonia-Express

1957

No artwork available
10.0

Three gangsters overpower a night watchman and try to break into a safe. Opening the door triggers an alarm and they flee through the window without any loot. Their boss at ZEG (Zentrale Einbruchs-Gesellschaft) m.b.H. is furious with them. Tommy points out an old method, and Ricky recommends the new "occupier way". They disguise themselves as American soldiers and take part in the charity bazaar of the Privy Councillor von Lambert. There they organize a parlour game in which all those present place their valuables on a table around which they march. Then the lights go out. To the horror of the guests, the three "occupiers" disappear with all their jewelry and money.

Das Stacheltier - Das Gesellschaftsspiel

1957

No artwork available
10.0

Three gangsters overpower a night watchman and try to break into a safe. Opening the door triggers an alarm and they flee through the window without any loot. Their boss at ZEG (Zentrale Einbruchs-Gesellschaft) m.b.H. is furious with them. Tommy points out an old method, and Ricky recommends the new "occupier way". They disguise themselves as American soldiers and take part in the charity bazaar of the Privy Councillor von Lambert. There they organize a parlour game in which all those present place their valuables on a table around which they march. Then the lights go out. To the horror of the guests, the three "occupiers" disappear with all their jewelry and money.

Das Stacheltier - Das Gesellschaftsspiel

1957

No artwork available
8.0

A divorced woman tries to restart her life.

Die zweite Haut

1981

Der König und sein Narr poster
10.0

No synopsis available yet.

Der König und sein Narr

1981

Der König und sein Narr poster
10.0

No synopsis available yet.

Der König und sein Narr

1981

No artwork available
9.0

Brothers Friedrich and Richard inherit their father’s seaside hotel after reunification. Ambitious Western businessman Friedrich plots a massive development behind Richard’s back, who wants to preserve the family inn. Tensions rise as old grudges and clashing values tear them apart, even as Richard renovates the hotel for a celebratory reopening that falters when Friedrich and others refuse to attend.

Das große Fest

1992

Das Versteck poster
7.0

One year has passed since Max and Wanda got their divorce. Max has come to the realization that he wants his ex-wife back - no matter what the cost! So he concocts a sneaky plan: he asks Wanda to hide him from the police, who are apparently looking for him. At first, Wanda rejects all his attempts to restart their relationship. But she is soon unable to resist Max's convincing promises and even throws her lover out of the house. But then she discovers Max's lie.

Das Versteck

1978

Das Versteck poster
7.0

One year has passed since Max and Wanda got their divorce. Max has come to the realization that he wants his ex-wife back - no matter what the cost! So he concocts a sneaky plan: he asks Wanda to hide him from the police, who are apparently looking for him. At first, Wanda rejects all his attempts to restart their relationship. But she is soon unable to resist Max's convincing promises and even throws her lover out of the house. But then she discovers Max's lie.

Das Versteck

1978

Trace of Stones poster
6.3

Bad planning and shortages prevail on an East German construction site. Foreman Hannes Balla uses unconventional methods to overcome the problems. New Socialist Unity Party secretary Werner Horrath is charged with bringing the rough-and-ready builder crew into line. The task seems doomed to fail as the two men compete for the affections of young engineer Kati Klee. But when she gets pregnant by married man Horrath, he is in danger of being expelled from the party, and Balla takes his side...

Trace of Stones

1966

Trace of Stones poster
6.3

Bad planning and shortages prevail on an East German construction site. Foreman Hannes Balla uses unconventional methods to overcome the problems. New Socialist Unity Party secretary Werner Horrath is charged with bringing the rough-and-ready builder crew into line. The task seems doomed to fail as the two men compete for the affections of young engineer Kati Klee. But when she gets pregnant by married man Horrath, he is in danger of being expelled from the party, and Balla takes his side...

Trace of Stones

1966

No artwork available
7.0

After 50 years, Marek remembers his dangerous adventure as a five-year-old, when he and his friend Itzek left a Polish transit camp one night in 1942 – a few days before their evacuation to Auschwitz – to go get the toys they forgot at the ghetto. Based on Becker's personal memories and his 1980 short story "The Wall."

While All Germans Sleep

1995

Nikolaikirche poster
4.5

The story of a Leipzig family from 1987 to the Monday demonstrations in 1989. After the death of her father, a high-ranking officer in the People's Police, the daughter joins the resistance movement around St. Nicholas Church. Phenomena such as obedience, followership, spying and resistance are illustrated in this haunting film based on individual people. A film that provides food for thought for the discussion about the fall of the Berlin Wall and recapitulates contemporary history.

Nikolaikirche

1995

Nikolaikirche poster
4.5

The story of a Leipzig family from 1987 to the Monday demonstrations in 1989. After the death of her father, a high-ranking officer in the People's Police, the daughter joins the resistance movement around St. Nicholas Church. Phenomena such as obedience, followership, spying and resistance are illustrated in this haunting film based on individual people. A film that provides food for thought for the discussion about the fall of the Berlin Wall and recapitulates contemporary history.

Nikolaikirche

1995

An Old Love poster
7.0

Frieda and August Walkowiak celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. However, the marriage has been in crisis for some time. August wants to spend his old age in peace, while Frieda has no intention of giving up her position as LPG chairman. The problems in the countryside are huge, collectivization is not progressing fast enough, even comrade Heinrich Rantsch is clinging to his individual farm. Frieda fights for progress, even in her private life, because not only her burden but also her higher position is a thorn in her husband's side. During the wedding anniversary celebrations, Frieda is called to the LPG. This is the cause of the family quarrel that has been in the air for a long time. August demands her resignation. In vain - and so he moves in with Rantsch. Their daughter Helga also leaves the house because of the tensions. Frieda collapses. When she is in hospital, August comes to his senses.

An Old Love

1959

An Old Love poster
7.0

Frieda and August Walkowiak celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. However, the marriage has been in crisis for some time. August wants to spend his old age in peace, while Frieda has no intention of giving up her position as LPG chairman. The problems in the countryside are huge, collectivization is not progressing fast enough, even comrade Heinrich Rantsch is clinging to his individual farm. Frieda fights for progress, even in her private life, because not only her burden but also her higher position is a thorn in her husband's side. During the wedding anniversary celebrations, Frieda is called to the LPG. This is the cause of the family quarrel that has been in the air for a long time. August demands her resignation. In vain - and so he moves in with Rantsch. Their daughter Helga also leaves the house because of the tensions. Frieda collapses. When she is in hospital, August comes to his senses.

An Old Love

1959

The Suspicion poster
9.0

Two people love each other when they know they should not. Their parents' and friends' pleas, their social backgrounds and reputation, their careers; everything is used to make them give each other up. Flattery, lies and threats finally drive Frank to despair and Karin to treason. But it is not due to their parents' hatred, nor to any greed for inherited wealth. Rather, the mere conjecture expressed by the authorities is enough to set off a merciless mechanism.

The Suspicion

1991

The Turning Point poster
4.9

In the fall of 1945, nineteen year-old Mark Niebuhr, is accused of murder and is jailed as a prisoner of war in Warsaw, Poland. He maintains his claim of innocence throughout long periods of solitary confinement. When Mark is placed among a group of Polish criminals, he becomes the target of their aggression. Later, Mark experiences true hell in a communal cell with fanatical German war criminals. Turning Point is based on actual events from Hermann Kant's novel of the same name.

The Turning Point

1983

Abgehauen poster
5.2

The movie tells a true story in the life of well-known German actor Manfred Krug. Living in the German Democratic Republic he is forced to leave the country after protesting against the expatriation of singer/songwriter Wolf Biermann in 1976.

Abgehauen

1998

Abgehauen poster
5.2

The movie tells a true story in the life of well-known German actor Manfred Krug. Living in the German Democratic Republic he is forced to leave the country after protesting against the expatriation of singer/songwriter Wolf Biermann in 1976.

Abgehauen

1998

The Goat Horn poster
7.5

Two adolescents, Sauly and Mick, get to know each other while hitchhiking and stick together for the long haul. They both want to reach the ocean, which is some thousand kilometers away. An old car picks them up, but the trip ends shortly thereafter in a sleazy motel. At the bar, a man named Landolfi approaches them. He explains to Sauly that he must have sold his guardian angel to a man by the name of Miller in the city of Prince. Though the boys do not believe in guardian angels, Sauly slowly succumbs to his own fears. He would like to have his guardian angel back again. On their trip, Sauly becomes sick. Mick works on a farm to pay the doctor's bills. Once Sauly is well, they travel farther - until they reach Prince. In this mysterious city, all of the people are named Miller, and once Sauly and Mick finally are at the ocean, they meet Landolfi once more.

The Goat Horn

1984

No artwork available
NR

a tv-movie by Frank Beyer

Der Egoist

1972

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Fools Among Us

1955

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Fools Among Us

1955