Wolfgang Kieling Movies

Man under Suspicion begins at a German political assembly reduced to chaos by neo-fascist activists. Someone has to defend the principal instigator in court, and that responsibility falls on the shoulders of Maximillian Schell. Probing into his client's background, Schell uncovers some uncomfortable truths as to how so ostensibly unpopular a movement as fascism can fester in an "enlightened" Germany. Though slow going until the climactic scenes, Man under Suspicion is disturbing, provocative entertainment, with Maximillian Schell's mature performance an interesting contrast to his firebrand defense attorney in 1961's Judgment at Nuremberg. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this uneven, predictable comedy that is less black than gray, a series of murders eliminates the poverty-stricken heirs to a 10 million-dollar fortune while Didi Dodel (Dieter Hallervorden, also the director) the unsuspecting main heir, blithely escapes the attempts on his life. After a wealthy miser dies and leaves his fortune to Didi and five others, the five each hit upon the idea of eliminating Didi from the list (Didi does not know he has been named), but they do not realize how fate can step in and alter the best and worst of intentions. As the blissfully ignorant Didi continues on his way, the other heirs start knocking each other off until only Didi is left -- along with the unscrupulous estate lawyer who has his eye on the money. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This historical drama is the story of Jacob Paul von Grundling (Wolfgang Kieling) and his fluctuating, turbulent relationship with King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia (1713-1740). This period was one of wars and of intellectual debate and literary accomplishments. It is that setting that is embodied in Grundling, a professor of literature, history, and law, and a court historian of sorts. When King Friedrich Wilhelm I first comes to power, he dismisses Grundling from his university position in disagreement with his views. Grundling then writes a treatise against certain widely-held religious tenets that attracts the king's attention and his favor. Soon Grundling is back at court, parrying his wit and knowledge against his detractors -- though since he will not compromise on his strict ideals, his stays at court are punctuated with exiles or with disfavor. This up-and-down relationship with the king and the hardship it imposes on Grundling have inevitable bad effects: he begins to drink more heavily, vacillating back and forth on some of his ideals, but never giving up on them entirely. Since Grundling's very existence depends on the good will of the king, his viewpoints often put him in serious jeopardy -- and his fate will be determined by whether or not he can compromise either his beliefs or his intellectual acuity. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

In this futuristic sci-fi film, a 21st-century spaceship is lost and another is sent out to find it. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This East German propaganda film gives praise to East Germany and the Soviet Union. The story chronicles the preparation of West Germany for World War III and explains that the East Germans are the only ones who have successfully moved out of the shadow of Adolph Hitler. Film footage of student revolts being crushed by the police is shown to espouse the virtues of the East Germans in their pompous and ridiculous claims of political and social superiority. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Amsterdam Affair was adapted from the novel Love in Amsterdam by Nicholas Freeling. Wolfgang Kieling heads the cast as Inspector Van Der Valk, called in to investigate a woman's murder. The prime suspect is a novelist (William Marlowe) who had conducted a lengthy affair with the dead woman. The case has been designated as open and shut by the police and the press, but Van Der Valk wants to probe a little deeper. Amsterdam Affair was filmed on location in Holland with an essentially British crew; it was released in the US by the broadcast conglomerate Group W. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

If you happened to catch Joachim Fuchsberger in a late-60's film, chances are he was appearing in a Edgar Wallace mystery. The German Hand of Power is no exception to this rule. Fuchsberger plays an inspector in search of an elusive criminal who uses a scorpion-shaped ring, filled with poison, to dispatch his victims. As is customary in films of this nature, the villain is a lot more colorful than his dedicated but drab Scotland Yard pursuers. But Edgar Wallace was averse to promoting a "crime pays" message, so rest assured that the Hand of Power is stilled by the time the film's alotted 88 minutes has passed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When the Nazis invade Prague, they sweep though the Jewish quarter to round up the "undesirables" in this compelling World War Il drama. Bozena (Jana Brejchova) is a young Czech girl who joins the resistance movement after witnessing Nazi atrocities. Soon she falls in love, but the Gestapo is on the trail of the members of the underground fighting against the Germans. When the film was rejected by the committee of the Cannes Film Festival in 1965, the public uproar in Germany caused even more people to see the film. This was not the only questionable rejection by the Cannes committee, as Satyajit Ray's drama Charulata was also inexplicably excluded that same year. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Three men plot to assassinate the dictator of their country, but their plan fails and one of them is captured and imprisoned. Even after considerable torture and interrogation, the revolutionary maintains his silence as to the names of his accomplices. Soon he is killed, though no one seems to know who is responsible for his death. Four years later another regime has been established, and a former inmate of the dead revolutionary finds himself in a position of power. He now intends to find out who was responsible for the man's death. After this German tale first took the form of a radio play and then a stage production, character actor Peter Carsten decided to produce this film version. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

Mrs. Cheney (Lilli Palmer) is a genteel widow whose outward appearances hide her involvement as a thief. With the help of her faithful butler, she steals diamonds from a wealthy matron. When she falls in love with a handsome international playboy, her thoughts quickly change from larceny to love in this light comedy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide