Thomas Müntzer

Thomas Müntzer

131 mins | Drama, History | May 16, 1956

In 1523, young Thomas Müntzer arrives with his wife Ottilie in the Thuringian village Allstedt to assume the rectorate. As a follower of Luther′s teachings, he finds in the Bible not only reasons for clerical, but also for secular reforms. But when Luther turns away from the rural population after a discord with Müntzer, it is Müntzer who becomes the peoples′ spokesman. He is forced to go to Southern Germany, where he convenes with revolting farmers. But his way leads him back to Thuringia. In 1525, he and Heinrich Pfeiffer form the centre of the Thuringian peasant uprising in Mühlhausen, but their success is diminished by the fact that peasants and craftsmen don′t seem to be able to work together. In Frankenhausen, Müntzer becomes the leader of a peasants′ army that is set to fighting the ruler′s army – and sustains a devastating loss. Müntzer is arrested and sentenced to death by decapitation for his insurgency.

Thomas Müntzer

131 mins | Drama, History | May 16, 1956

Thomas Müntzer
In 1523, young Thomas Müntzer arrives with his wife Ottilie in the Thuringian village Allstedt to assume the rectorate. As a follower of Luther′s teachings, he finds in the Bible not only reasons for clerical, but also for secular reforms. But when Luther turns away from the rural population after a discord with Müntzer, it is Müntzer who becomes the peoples′ spokesman. He is forced to go to Southern Germany, where he convenes with revolting farmers. But his way leads him back to Thuringia. In 1525, he and Heinrich Pfeiffer form the centre of the Thuringian peasant uprising in Mühlhausen, but their success is diminished by the fact that peasants and craftsmen don′t seem to be able to work together. In Frankenhausen, Müntzer becomes the leader of a peasants′ army that is set to fighting the ruler′s army – and sustains a devastating loss. Müntzer is arrested and sentenced to death by decapitation for his insurgency.
Producers DEFA
Original title Thomas Müntzer – Ein Film deutscher Geschichte
Directors Martin Hellberg
Writers Friedrich Wolf, Martin Hellberg

Cast

Wolfgang Stumpf

as Thomas Müntzer

Margarete Taudte

as Ottilie von Gersen

Aribert Grimmer

as Fuhrmann von Thomas Müntzer

Wolf Kaiser

as Schwabenhannes

Martin Flörchinger

as Heinrich Pfeiffer

Heinz Giese

as Hans Buss

Ruth-Maria Kubitschek

as Bärbel Buss

Albert Garbe

as Bauer Barthel

Maly Delschaft

as Frau Barthel

Jochen Diestelmann

as Gerber Martin

Hans W. Hamacher

as Apel Wynmeister

Doris Thalmer

as Frau Wynmeister

Franz Arzdorf

as Bürger

Gerhard Bienert

as Graf Ernst von Mansfeld

Otto Sauter-Sarto

as Fürst