Karl May

1974·Movie
3h 7min
60
DecentGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Karl May fingerprint

Immersive world, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Spectacle6
  • Tension4
  • Adrenaline1

Heart

Melancholic and moving

  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7
  • Wonder5

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Absurdist Humor2

World

A real life story, history, and the mind

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Novelty8
  • World Immersion7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Standout cinematography, score, and visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography8
  • Music Composition8
  • Visual Stylization8

Who it's for

AdultsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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About

This ethereal, three-hour biopic is the middle film in Hans-Jürgen Syberberg’s “German Trilogy” on the mythological foundations of the Third Reich. By fusing theater, music, and cinema, Syberberg conjures up Karl May (1842-1912), the immensely popular German author, who set many of his adventure novels in an idealized version of the American Wild West. His tales of the cowboy and the Ubermensch alike were beloved by many, including (Our) Hitler, who supposedly ordered his generals to read May works after defeats in the Russian campaign.
Historical BiopicGerman CinemaIntellectual DramaLiterary FigurePsychological StudyMythological ExplorationEvocative & EtherealPeriod PiecePolitical UndercurrentsCultural Commentary

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Karl May

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Karl May legally?

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Is Karl May worth watching?

60
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 60/100 (IMDb 7). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is Karl May?

3 h 7 min

Karl May runs 3 h 7 min.

Is Karl May based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

What language is Karl May in?

German

It was made in German. Produced in Germany.

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