Wolfgang Liebeneiner Movies
- 1978
A bold knight who takes on the evil members of Emperor Maximilian's service becomes a wanted man. (In German with English subtitles) ~ All Movie Guide
- 1977
The protagonist in this film is a surgeon whose wife is running around with his young partner, and whose medical career is hampered by his need to find a way to perform a heart-valve replacement operation. His wife's lover plans to move to Hong Kong, with her in tow, to learn something of acupuncture (which might help with the operation). The wife is involved in an auto accident before their trip, and he goes on without her. On the way there, he meets a mysterious Russian-refugee doctor who has a set of wonder-working acupuncture needles. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1969
This situation comedy begins when a Pentecostal family tries to go on vacation. Three young relatives are sent to visit, turning the household upside down. Grandfather (Werner Hinz) is the lovable curmudgeon who deals with the terrible trio, as the teenage boy gets in trouble in the neighborhood and his sister tempts the fidelity of her married uncle. The youngest is a precocious five-year-old girl (Irina von Bentheim) who constantly makes life difficult for her young cousin. This amusing story is taken from a novel by Eric Malpass. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Werner Hinz, Werner Bruhns, (more)
- 1960
Based on the comedy of the same name by scripter Curt Goetz, this tale of a classic romantic dilemma is aptly directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner but could use a more generous sprinkling of humor. Ingeborg (Ingrid Ernest) is married to a wonderful man whom she loves unconditionally. That would be an ideal situation if it were not for the fact that her dream lover from younger years comes back into her life at this inopportune time. As she vacillates, the old green-eyed monster rears its head, her husband accuses her of infidelities, and suddenly her happy marriage is in the danger zone. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rudolf Vogel, Fita Benkhoff, (more)
- 1959
This musical drama is not quite up to the level of its 1956 prequel, Die Trapp Familie -- the inspiration for the immensely popular The Sound of Music. Now the famous singing family, having survived World War II by escaping Austria, are in the U.S. and trying to make a go of it. Their voices are excellent and their talent is obvious, yet the Baroness Maria von Trapp (Ruth Leuwerik) and the Baron (Hans Holt) cannot figure out why they are not more popular. They can barely get an audience together. After much trial and tribulation, it hits them that maybe the fault lies in the songs they choose to perform, so a rehaul of their program is in order. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ruth Leuwerik, Hans Holt, (more)
- 1959
My Daughter Patricia Meine Tochter Patricia is a lightweight, romantic comedy by award-winning director Wolfgang Liebeneiner, with no particular pretensions other than to entertain. Patricia (Gerlinde Locker) has just finished her stay at a Swiss boarding school, and like other young women her age, her thoughts have turned to men. In fact, they have turned to one man in particular (Gerhard Riedmann). Unfortunately for Patricia, someone else has her sights set on the same young man -- but unfortunately for him, neither woman is very constant -- their affections go back and forth like a ping-pong ball. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Held, Gerlinde Locker, (more)
- 1958
Ruth Leuwerik plays a courageous female doctor in the German POW drama Taiga. Interred in a Siberan prison camp during WWII, Leuwerik lifts the spirits of her fellow prisoners with her dedication to her job and her indomitable spirit. The doctor's humanitarianism even extends to an oaf (Gunter Pfitzmann) who tries to rape her; he wins his undying respect when she protects him from retaliation by the other prisoners. The film's romantic angle is handled by Hanns Messmer as an inmate who vows to marry Leuwerik if and when they are released. Hardly a slice of life-the POW camp is nowhere near as brutal as the real thing -- Taiga nonetheless scores on the strength of its leading players. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ruth Leuwerik, Hannes Messemer, (more)
- 1956
A free-spirited nun is sent to work as the nanny for an Austrian baron's seven children and helps them to become a renowned singing group. The Baron is a good man, but he runs his family with the discipline of a drill sergeant. The former novitiate feels that children should be allowed to have fun and so teaches them to start enjoying life. She also encourages the talented septet to sing. When the Baron discovers his children acting frivolously, he is enraged. He is just about to fire her when he hears the sweet singing of his children. He keeps her on a little longer and even begins falling in love with her. But then she must return to her convent to renounce her vows. Later they are reunited and the family begins traveling and singing until the Nazis take over and the Trapp family is forced to flee to the U.S. Based on a true story, it was later reworked and remade as the classic musical The Sound of Music. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ruth Leuwerik, Hans Holt, (more)
- 1955
This delightful presentation is a variation of the "Ugly Duckling" theme. The wallflower and the actor both decide to change their lives in this German film. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1955
Adapted from a novel by W. F. Fischelscher, The Dancing Heart combines music, dance, whimsy and fantasy. Herta Staal plays Annchen, who hopes to save her toymaker father from losing his shop. To that end, she ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gertrud Kückelmann, Gunnar Moeller, (more)
- 1953
At the end of World War II, Austria was divided into four sectors, each governed by a separate world power. The Austrian citizenry chafed against foreign rule, and dreamed of the day that their country would again be an independent, self-governing nation. This is the premise of 1 April 2000 which prophesizes that independence will arrive on the titular date. To add a bit of spice to the proceedings, the scriptwriters contrive to have Austria's fate in the hands of a woman (Hilde Krahl) who is susceptible to romance. 1 April 2000 concludes with the imaginary "World Security Council" quelling a disastrous revolution armed with little more than good intentions. Financed by the Austrian government, 1 April 2000 is a mediocre effort even by the questionable standards of nationalistic propaganda. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilde Krahl, Joseph Meinrad, (more)
