The Berliner (1948): cast, story & where to watch
1948 · Film · ★ 7.4
Released in 1948, The Berliner is a comedy, drama and history film directed by Robert A. Stemmle, running about 89 minutes.
What it’s about. Long before he played the corpulent Goldfinger, German actor Gert Froebe was a scarecrow-skinny comedian. In Berliner Ballade, Froebe makes his screen debut as Otto, a feckless Everyman who tries to adjust to the postwar travails of his defeated nation. Stymied by black-market profiteers and government bureaucrats, Otto begins fantasizing about a happier life at the end of that ever-elusive rainbow. Director R. A. Stemmle doesn't have to strive for pathos: he merely places his gangly star amidst the ruins of a bombed-out Berlin, and the point is made for him. Filmed in 1948, Berliner Ballade was later released in the U.S. as The Berliner.
Who’s in it. The Berliner stars Gert Fröbe as Otto Normalverbraucher, Tatjana Sais as Ida Holle, O.E. Hasse as Der Reaktionär and Hans Deppe as Emil Lemke, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.4/10, The Berliner has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Berliner page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Berliner tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Berliner (1948)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Berliner change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Berliner worth watching?
- The Berliner holds an audience score of 7.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Berliner?
- The Berliner stars Gert Fröbe, Tatjana Sais, O.E. Hasse, Hans Deppe and Karl Schönböck.
- When was The Berliner released?
- The Berliner was released in 1948, with a runtime of about 89 minutes.