Babylon Berlin: Germany after World War I
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2020
- Babylon Berlin might just be the best least known series out there. This most expensive German production features the investigations of detective Gereon Rath as he arrives in 1920's Berlin to uncover a plot that goes deeper and deeper the further he goes down the rabbit hole.
Based on the novels of Volker Kutscher, the series explores the setting of the Weimar Republic as it suffers the aftermath of World War I and the many uncertainties that followed in its wake. From communists to gangsters to right wing nationalists, Berlin is beset on all sides by threats that the Berlin police has to face. Both the series and the books are an incredibly intriguing window into a Germany that we very rarely see represented in media or fiction. In this video, I aim to show you exactly why this series is worth your time watching.
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#History #BabylonBerlin #Germany
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Copyright media, images and music respective to owner(s) (Sky, Netflix, Disney, ZDF).
Music by Tom Tykwer, Kristofer Maddigan and Music By Pedro.
This is honestly one of my favourite series of all time, but I feel it's flown under most people's radars because it's a foreign language production. Are there any movies or series that you love that are spoken in a foreign language that you feel deserve more recognition?
Additionally, as pointed out by some people, there is a small mistake in the video that refers to the German army as the Bundeswehr rather than the Reichswehr. Old habits die hard. Thanks for the heads up!
Schindler's List is one I really enjoyed. It shows the hardships to those who suffered in the Concentration Camps and the persecution of ethnic minorities.
Also, you called the Weimar Militray as the "Bundeswehr" but that is the modern day German Army. In Weimar times, it was actually called the "Reichswehr".
Love Babylon as well. Recently really enjoyed a norweigan WW2 mini series called "Kampen om tungtvannet" / "The Saboteurs"
A brilliant series!😘🥁🌻
The boat.
Fun fact for the international viewers: the actor Matthias Brandt who played August Benda in season 1+2 of the series is the son of former Chancellor Willy Brandt.
I’m german and didn’t know that
Interesting
It's fitting they cast him as a committed Social Democrat.
@@TheMetroidSocrates ; 'Willy Brandt' or rather his real name of Herbert Ernst Karl Frahm , was a former member of the Communist Party / KPD .
@@peteb8556 Any source to support this amazing claim?
@@pawelpap9 ; why don't you do your own research like I did, instead of asking someone to do it for you ?
To describe Babylon Berlin as one of the " best series" does not make justice to the excellence of this great work of Art. The performances are superb, the script is compeling, the historical accuracy is magnificent, but it is, somehow, so much more. An Ode of what was and what could have been, a whodunit, a political intrigue, a love story, a documentary on Weimar's society. It is simply perfect.
Have seen the first 3 seasons 3 times already....love it.
With shows like Babylon Berlin and Dark, German production has come to the forefront on the international scene. Production values and storytelling are incredible.
I also recommend "Kleo", on Netflix.
Barbarians too. At least the first season
Deutschland 83 and 86 and generation war were good also.
Also try Ku'damm 56/59/63 then
it basically came back to its old glory. german cinema used to be really huge before the whole hollywood thing started. films like Metropolis were ground braking and way ahead of its time, and german impressionism influenced a whole era of movie making. obviously, after the war, the production budgets were way lower, and the allies focused more on importing foreign films, so germans wouldnt only watch their nazi propaganda movies, wich was basically all that the german film industry was producing the last 15 years. so they focused a lot on dubbing english and american and french films, and also invested lots of money in it, wich is why germany is so good at dubbing by now.
unfortunately that left the german film industry without any real budgets, so german movies started to look and feel cheap. maybe its a good thing, given most industry leaders were still fascists, but that caused the german film to become really bad. in the 80s it started to get better, after "Das Boot" and "Christiane F", and then went downhill again, basically until Netflix came to germany. there were some exceptions in the eraly and mid 2000s tho, with films like "The Experiment" (wich was remade in hollywood a few years later and the remake sucked ass) or "The Wave" or the infamous stoner comedy "Lammbock"
I had never heard of this series until watching this clip. I found it difficult going until I saw the nightclub scene featuring the singing of "To Ashes to Dust". That song captured me completely. I found it incredible as it is such a complex piece of music. After watching it a few times, I found myself addicted to it. Bravo to the producers of this superb series.
The singer of this song is really good, I must admit.
I read the book by Otto Friedreich, "Before the Deluge." Linda Ronstadt famously loaned the book to Jackson Browne. He borrowed the title for a song, that incidentally had nothing to do with the book. The book, however, helped me understand the context of the show, and how well the history was represented. SOOOOO well done!
I'm a fan of Babylon Berlin as well as Shaun the sheep & Bitzer! 🙂
This show is honestly great, one of my favorite of all time.
The third season wasn't nearly as good as 1 and 2 tho :(
@@ziebelzubel Very true. Series 4 is better than the series 3, but still doesn't touch the first two series.
German Army:
Reichswehr 1921 - 1935
Wehrmacht 1935 - 1945
Bundeswehr 1955 - today
NVA > Bundeswehr
The Bundeswher have the coolest camo uniforms out there
@@Dome31337 bad for you tue NVA does not exist anymore
@@sparkshark9697 Bad for Germany.
@@Dome31337 no not really
An excellent dramatization of history. It's rare indeed that the people depicted in historical dramas really feel 'of their time'... but those in Babylon Berlin do. Their ignorance about what is yet to come, and their focus only on today feels very relatable. Plus as you mentioned, even the minor characters feel like they have full lives, dreams, aspirations etc.
I think the producers nailed the formula of entertaining drama set against a genuinely educational historical backdrop. Tbh I'd be hard-pressed to think of any other that's done it as well...
I LOVE THIS SHOW! It is so well done. Twists and turns. Perfectly cast, Set design is off the hook, Costumes glorious, Music is spectacular. Fantastic writing, haunting color palette. 10 out of 10 stars!!!! I'm addicted. I can't wait for the next season to come out.
I'm on episode 7 and I dont understand what's going on all with the plotlines. I usually only watch foreign language shows so I dont know what the problem is.. love the cinematography and production of it so trying to stick with it
@@gregbryant516 check out the summaries on Wikipedia, it is helpful to catch some twists and turns. I've watched the 3 series twice now and I'm a bit dizzy too. And btw, there is no happy end because there is more to come.
One probably was the inclusion weapons that were not built until 1941, I refer to the PPSH41, and the use of an obsolete pistol the Dreyse 1907.
Also the railcars are not of that period. But still a great if not greatest show I ever have seen.
@@gregbryant516 1st and second season had something to do with communism problems, trying to find Anno and the black reichswehr
season 3 something... and season 4 untill the end every mafias got killed by the Armenian and MENSCHMACHINE
(i left out alot of things)
8:11 you mean Reichswehr. Bundeswehr is from 1955
To present
Absolutely love this series. As a historian of German history, I love the fact that it is fairly accurate about life in Berlin in between the wars. I am now looking forward to watching series 4 when it comes out
The plot and setting for Season 4 of Babylon Berlin actually takes place in 1931, two years after the very dramatic harrowing ending that took place on Black Tuesday, October 1929 in the Berlin stock exchange.
I can’t remember where I found this series, but I watched season 1and2 . Then I got season three, put the all together and binge watched the whole thing. I don’t speak fluent German, but still I enjoyed reading the subscrits . I now find out there’s a season 4? I can’t wait!
As a historian you should know, this series has NOTHING to do with the actual life between the wars. Its a fantasy series in which people act and think like people from nowadays, the life circumstances are rubbish and the set design has nothing to do with the genuine 20ies !- The books are much more acurate, but the tv series is only fiction.
@@albustanmagic4036Yes, people in the 1920s thought and acted much like we do today because our conditions are still very similar. The only major differences are the advent of the internet, and international interdependence. Though, the latter is starting to wain toward nationalist protectionism, which is what gave rise to WW2 in the first place.
this is very wrong. sorry@@user-bo9yp1zp5u
I binged watched this series across 2 weeks and not only was it really good, it got me fascinated with the period and put me onto other films, books and art from Weimar Germany
Could you recommend some of these?
Check out Time Ghost History's , " Between Two Wars" series if you want more content on CZcams.
I was initially fascinated by WW2 and anything to do with Hitler and Nazi Germany or Stalin and his Soviet Union. Then I really wanted to study more about the era before Hitler came to power and what it was like. Anyway this series is a wonderful educational tool for anyone interested in the Weimar Republic and the Golden Twenties in Germany.
@@keelyleilani1326 the occult & Secret societies aspects are interesting too. This show was like a darker different spin of Boardwalk Empire
This show is a masterwork. It is my favorite show ever made.
I speak English & German - you’re so correct. The English dub is abysmal, it loses something....intangible... it misses the life and expression of the characters, who are wonderful. Reading the subtitles is worth it. I’m so glad there’s going to be a 4th season. Thank you very much for your video. It backs up other reading I’ve done about Babylon Berlin historical accuracy. And what I already know (which isn’t too much, to my dismay.) This is the most wonderful and underrated (in the US anyway) series.
Woof..we hated the dubbing! You are so right...it just stripped the heart of these fascinating characters right off the screen! We avidly watched the series in the original German...my husband still laughs that I learned the words to Zu Asche, Zu Staub in German! And.. boy...can Geareon dance..a wonderful surprise from such a damaged character!
How accurate are the subs?
Absolutely correct. I am English-speaking and do not speak German, but the only way to properly watch this is in the original German language with English subtitles. Watching it in dubbed English language is disconcerting and makes the characters look foolish.
While watching the first 2 seasons I was seriously wondering how it manages to balance the plot so brilliantly, I mean the pacing and character development are astounding, plus the way it rounds it all up at the end of each season althewhile still leaving stuff out for future seasons development... just brilliant. It's something I haven't really seen in other series unless they're based on books but only a few actually manage to pull it off nicely and this one is surely one of them. The title is also brilliant in its own right, suggesting a sort of melting pot of cultures and ideologies which is not far from the historical truth. Thank you for your work with this review it was great!
Babylon Berlin *is* based on books
@@Loweene_Ancalimon umm, yes, that was my point... That's what I said, thanks for repeating
I have to say German cinematic/film/series production is getting better than hollywoods.
In case of Babylon Berlin much better. Especially concidering production cost.
@@MrChillerNo1 He he, you’re funny. Please try Europe Tribes available on Netflix. That should throw you off your high horse.
@@pawelpap9 What's up with Tribes of Europe?
Secret Societies, Blackmail & The Mob & Intelligence community, detective drama, period piece of post WW1, Boardwalk Empire feel= Babylon Berlin
I’m amazed at how many elements of this show are historically accurate. Even the blackmail rings were spot on
Wow. I must say, that this was probably the best edited Review/Explanation of Babylon Berlin I've found so far.
(And I'm German and therefore watched the german Reviews first^^) This is a very, very strong edit of yours which showcase what you're talking about and not really spoiler much of the series since you need a lot more context to understand the scenes. Brilliant.
Thanks for your Effort!
That is really good to know, because I am interested in German perspectives on this show.
I,m an American I speak German and My Father was half German. I was and am always interested in German and European History (particularly 20th century). Babylon Berlin is the BEST I have seen yet! I also marveled at the expense they must have put out to make this series. I ,am VERY convinced that the USA is in many ways going through a weird sort of Weimar period itself right now.
@red9man 2130 - you’re not the only one who thinks this way about the current state of the USA. Some of the parallels are disturbing to someone who knows their history.
Can you give some links to German reviews?
I can't find them
This is the best series I have ever watched. The characters connect and resonate with you and it gives you a deeper understanding of how life was like for the average german before ww2. I was very sad after I finished the series, gonna rewatch in a few months.
I've watched it twice back to back and am doing it again. It's crazy, I've never done that with any drama before, but there's so much there, that it takes several rewatchings to notice it all.
The production values are fantastic and I feel drawn in as if I'm actually in this world.
One of the most interesting and fascinating series to hit TV in years....love it!
“Zu Asche, Zu Staub” !!!
btw at 14:46 that's Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music, singing one of his own songs which was rearranged in 1920's jazz cabaret style. One of many great moments in an excellent show!
Babylon Berlin and the Deutschland 83 series are two of my favorite shows ever.
Definitely one of the best show that I’ve seen. Is A MUST WATCH IN GERMAN !!!!!
Ach, ist dem so?
Auf jeden Fall! Ich liebe Babylon Berlin einfach 😍👌🏻
Thank you so much for this video expanding on some of the history behind Babylon Berlin. After watching, I was utterly obsessed with the series and especially wanted to know how much of the series was real and how much was fictional and searched searched but could not find material in English. I hope you make more content on the the Weimar Republic and the transition to fascism and the historical references Babylon Berlin makes (or that you wish it made).
@Amy Qiu
Maybe this helps a little bit: art-for-a-change.com/blog/2018/04/the-truth-about-babylon-berlin.html
Hallo, wie geht es dir? Ich möchte dich besser kennenlernen
Most enjoyable. A well-paced, sweeping overview that never loses sight of the big picture, namely that social, political and cultural panorama called the Wiemar era in all its complexity. You do this extremely well. And yes, I agree, it is a terrific series that is easily one of the most ambitious things on television right now.
Thanks for this commentary. This is one of those shows that makes you want to explore the history more!
excellent analyses!
loved the series, read the book afterwards, very interested in and fascinated by the era itself. Totally in it with the author -"one of my favourite series of all time"
And yes, it does deserve more recognition not only for super interesting era, plot and drama, but also for astonish, masterful actors', director's, and filmography' work
Thanks for the video! I'll certainly be checking this show out.
Finally!! I like to say to myself that Babylon Berlin influenced Peaky blinders last season more historically inspired feels (but not with the same success).
Haven't you see the 3rd season?
I certainly have, and I loved every minute of it! I hope to review it alongside the fourth season eventually as well, but I figured I'd tackle the first two seasons first because... well, I've been putting it off for over a year now. Once the fourth has been released, I hope to be a little faster with it.
I actually have been watching this, Peaky Blinders, Boardwalk Empire, and started Perry Mason recently, seeing life flourish and struggle through this era as well as seeing how WWI affected the whole everyone differently, yet the similarly. The 20s and 30s were definitely a wild time back then, for better and worst.
Great Feature!
But the german army of this time was called "Reichswehr", not "Bundeswehr". The latter came into existence after WW2 until this day.
Great video! I’m enjoying these series reviews!
My absolute favorite TV-series over the last few years.
what tv channel is it shown on?
This series pleased me a great deal and I appreciated your review. I loved the Bruno Heller Rome and the Wire, and this one is right up there with them.
Great video mate. I've always been fascinated with the Weimar Republic and the interwar years. Have to check this show out, had never heard of it before.
Thanks for doing this without any spoilers!
great to discover your channel! awesome review of an amazing show.
Had this been made by HBO or AMC, you wouldn't be able to walk a mile without hearing about this. HOW IS THIS NOT MORE POPULAR!
I think this is the best video about Babylon Berlin that I've ever seen. Thank you so much. I can't wait for the next season!
thank you for making this.
Good to see the world from this point.Thank you Hipstorian!
Such a good show! Loved every minute of it
Omg this tv series is so amazing.
This looks great. I want to see this!
Thanks for your ad. Now you have successfully hooked me to yet another Peaky Blinders era binge-watching show.
Meine absolute Lieblingsserie! Einfach die beste Produktion überhaupt....
Great stuff! ❤
Dude I have to tell you something appart from your perfect depicting of the serie, your German accent is exuisit and very thrilling to hear especially as a podcast
Great video. And I love this show
I'm addicted to Babylon Berlin like Gereon is to heroin. It's a fantastic series (3 so far) with great performances all round, terrific visuals (I'd like to find out how they "rebuilt" Alexanderplatz so well), and a truly wonderful musical score. It is obvious where the money was spent, on everything you see and hear on screen. And I second your comments on the atrocious American dub: I only got 2 episodes into that version before I found out how to change it to the original German. And like many, I was stunned by the dance sequence to Zu Asche Zu Staub; for anyone thinking twice about Babylon Berlin, watch it to the end of episode 2, if that doesn't get you, nothing will.
It's one of the best programs on Netflix (Australia).
Love this series, great soundtracks too 👍
A wonderful series!😘🥁🌻
Excellent show!
@Hipstorian
Excellent review.
Funny, just when you mentioned that author Volker anthor one appeared on the screen.
That actor who played with the fantastic Tom Schilling in Unser Vatter, Unsere Mütter, I forgot his family name though.
Vielen Dank for that interesting review.
I shall look for the 1st episode.
Thomas aus Belgien
I love Babylon Berlin......but I highly recommend DARK as the best German series I've ever watched....it is a masterpiece....
One of the best shows on Netflix! Beautifully done!
I did not know of the existence of this apparently amazing series. Thanks, Hipstorian. I am going to hunt it down.
My grandfather has lived in this time in Berlin. He was an Musician in the „Rundfunkorchester“.
Sometimes I envy him.
Stunning brilliant series.... not to be missed...
great video 👍
Great series-- I'm halfway through season 3 and am glad to hear that 4 is in the works. Season 3 hasn't disappointed so far. The music is really good too. Also the nod in the end credits to classic German abstract expressionist filmmakers such as Hans Richter, Walter Ruttman and Oskar Fischinger was a nice touch as well. Also, Volker Bruch was in Generation War, a good actor for sure. BB and the British series, "Taboo" (apparently season 2 is in the works), are my two favorite programs and nothing else even comes close.
One thing that's very frustrating for me as an English native speaker here in Germany is that I can't even get it with subtitles, neither German nor English. So while I find it great, I really only understand about 50%. It seems like it will have potential for repeat watching and I suspect it will become a measure for my progress in German. (I also love spotting locations from around Berlin and Brandenburg. I even once had to detour around them filming outside the Rotes Rathaus.)
Are you going to do a video of Deutschland 83,86 and 89.
Might have to watch this now
absolutely brilliant series
Good one.
I liked the first 3 seasons (28 episodes) of Babylon Berlin so much, I'm about halfway through watching them again. I'm picking up certain details I missed the first time. I've been listening to the original German soundtrack while reading the English subtitles and listening for certain German words to be spoken. Having had German as my second language for many years was a help. I like Charlotte's character very much, and I love the scene where the photographer sings a song with the refrain, "Du bist alles was ich will." (You are everything I want.). Thanks for the news that a 4th season is in the works.
I absolutely loved this series!! It is wonderful and you feel part of the late 20's Berlin! I watched it in original German and was totally immersed!!!
super informatives Video! Damke dir!!!
Well said.. an excellent summary I absolutely love this show. It is a delight for people who know alot about the Weimar Republic as it respects the audience and doesn't feel like a history lesson but is full of period detail subtle references or major plot drivers based on actual events. My wife loved it too but went off and bought a non fiction history of 1920s Berlin. Not her usual reading material but a testimant to how fascinatingly the period is presented in this series.
Just finished season one in German with English subtitles. I initially stayed away because I was afraid it was just a glitzy vehicle for violence and crime. This series is so detailed and well done, I don’t know anything like it. I’m doing everything not to race through the remaining seasons. I was always intrigued by post war European history. I absolutely love this review as well. It hits on all of the many moving parts of this incredible time in history and how they are played out in the series. Thank you for posting!
15:12
Babylon Berlin is also available in Norway through the state networks streaming service.
Go to ARD Mediathek.
Watching B.B. on and off this past summer. Wonderful show, but very multilayered and complex. This review has helped a lot. I’ve also viewed and read more about Weimar Berlin and that has helped immensely. Thank goodness for internet, google safari to help getting through this show.
However, the more one reads about this era, the scarier our present global situation becomes. …I take a break and watch a couple of episodes of Scooby Doo. To reset my brain and laugh a bit.
I agree, for me Babylon Berlin is one of the top ten series ever, maybe even top 5. Due to it's unique setting, dense atmosphere and complexity.
@hipstorian It's a Sky Germany co-production, so can be watched on Sky in the UK (and Germany?) and it's also on Prime.
Brilliant series. Their attention to the actual politics, cultural and history is extraordinary.
Excellent review, especially regarding matters of historical context.
Babylon Berlin is now on my priority watch list.
It’s a fascinating look at Germany between the wars, the production values are really good.
I love this series! Netflix owes you a few bills for your great thematic review- you are doing a far better job then any standard trailer- you know, such as"In a city torn by strife, love was difficult to find and difficult to hold on to" etc. etc. One question- why did you choose to use the English W instead of the German V in your accented presentation? I flinched a little each time... Just asking! Still. great job!
"In a world..."
Sincere Thanks, I have been looking for some information about life in Berlin in 1927 for a book that I am writing, my characters go to Berlin, I have watched Babylon Berlin but thanks for the details Cheers Ed
Outstanding series.
This is one of my favorite series
Bravo !!!!!!
Is this on DVD? It looks fascinating. Great overview.
You can get it on DVD but it might be more accessible in some regions via Netflix.
Have you seen season 3? Its already out
Around 1983 (50th anniversary of the fall of Weimar) I read a review in the Irish Times of a book about a famous "liberal" Weimar journal. Apparently the writers ranted about the Churches, Capitalists, Army, Junkers etc but - until close to the end - had little to say about the Nazis. They were too caught up in hatred of Traditional opponents to notice the REAL ones!
Despite a few trawls of the internet, I can't identify the book. Can anyone help?
Is there an English subtitle version? Just finished generation war with the lead in this. He’s a great actor.
You should watch it in German and enable English subtitles....dubbing a film ruins it !
I've watched all four series on Sky Atlantic in the UK. Netflix USA have the first three series and you should be able to get it in English subtitles there.
Yes, Volker Bruch is a great actor as was Tom Schilling in "Generation War".
one of my favorites too
Fabulous.
Love this series, the characters, the music, the politics, history, the budding love story... Have watched it 3 times so far. Can't wait for season 4. This series is among the best period series I've seen such as Berlin Alexanderplatz, Boardwalk Empire, Deadwood, The Knick... Do yourself a favor and do not watch it dubbed!
I'd love to know your take on the Das Boot series. it was brilliant.
I agree and have watched it at least three times in German with English subtitles. History through art! I can’t wait for season 4.
the most expensive drama out of germany, that virtually no on knows about...
babylon berlin is wunderbar.... in 2020 the berliner schloss is complete,.... broadwalk empire-peaky blinders all have a 20's theme.... but babylon berlin surely should win multiple awards....
will the show return for series season 4 in 2020,2021?
They plan to shoot season 4 in spring 2021
@@vitachamilueva8248 : wunderbar.... is dogs of berlin on netflix , das boot on sky returning in 2021 too?
@@jardon8636 no idea 😀 but let’s hope for the better. We need more of these amazing series!👍🏼
Another highlight - Brian Ferry at 14:47 :-)
the books by Volker Kutscher are great as well
looked fantastic and I would love to watch it all. I cannot get it on netflix uk. can you tell me where I can thanks
change your country code on netflix, gives you other content. Use VPN
You'll find it on amazon uk :)
It's on Sky Atlantic in the UK. All four series, but I don't know for how much longer.
Will check it out. It came to my attention via Bryan Ferry. I planned to check it out for that reason alone.
When will we ever be able to see season 4 in the US?
Babylon Berlin's first two seasons costing 40 million euros makes total sense: they have a lush, film-esque cinematographic language, the costumery and even the extras are all uniquely interesting/engaging (as would be subjects in a painted portrait), and it boldly reveals the truly glamorous and filthy extremes of the era's lifestyles. Babylon Berlin nails that whole vibrant/bright-with-grainy-shadows, Moulin-Rouge-y aesthetic... with class and style to spare.
This show scratched my Bernhard Gunther itch. RIP P Kerr.
I love it.
I thought this show was marvelous, stunning in its atmospheric portrait of the time, a true work of art 😊👍