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The Wave

Original title: Die Welle
  • 20082008
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
108K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Die Welle (2008)
  • Drama
  • Thriller
A high school teacher's experiment to demonstrate to his students what life is like under a dictatorship spins horribly out of control when he forms a social unit with a life of its own.A high school teacher's experiment to demonstrate to his students what life is like under a dictatorship spins horribly out of control when he forms a social unit with a life of its own.A high school teacher's experiment to demonstrate to his students what life is like under a dictatorship spins horribly out of control when he forms a social unit with a life of its own.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
108K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Dennis Gansel
  • Writers
    • Ron Jones(short story and original protocols)
    • Johnny Dawkins(screenplay "The Wave")
    • Ron Birnbach(screenplay "The Wave")
  • Stars
    • Jürgen Vogel
    • Frederick Lau
    • Max Riemelt
Top credits
  • Director
    • Dennis Gansel
  • Writers
    • Ron Jones(short story and original protocols)
    • Johnny Dawkins(screenplay "The Wave")
    • Ron Birnbach(screenplay "The Wave")
  • Stars
    • Jürgen Vogel
    • Frederick Lau
    • Max Riemelt
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 133User reviews
    • 101Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 8 nominations

    Photos54

    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Jennifer Ulrich in Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)
    Die Welle (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jürgen Vogel
    Jürgen Vogel
    • Rainer Wengeras Rainer Wenger
    Frederick Lau
    Frederick Lau
    • Tim Stoltefussas Tim Stoltefuss
    Max Riemelt
    Max Riemelt
    • Marcoas Marco
    Jennifer Ulrich
    Jennifer Ulrich
    • Karoas Karo
    Christiane Paul
    Christiane Paul
    • Anke Wengeras Anke Wenger
    Jacob Matschenz
    Jacob Matschenz
    • Dennisas Dennis
    Cristina do Rego
    Cristina do Rego
    • Lisaas Lisa
    Elyas M'Barek
    Elyas M'Barek
    • Sinanas Sinan
    Maximilian Vollmar
    • Bomberas Bomber
    Max Mauff
    Max Mauff
    • Kevinas Kevin
    • (as Maximilian Mauff)
    Ferdinand Schmidt-Modrow
    • Ferdias Ferdi
    Tim Oliver Schultz
    Tim Oliver Schultz
    • Jensas Jens
    Amelie Kiefer
    • Monaas Mona
    Fabian Preger
    • Kaschias Kaschi
    Odine Johne
    Odine Johne
    • Majaas Maja
    Tino Mewes
    Tino Mewes
    • Schädelas Schädel
    Karoline Teska
    • Mirias Miri
    Marco Bretscher-Coschignano
    • Dominikas Dominik
    • Director
      • Dennis Gansel
    • Writers
      • Ron Jones(short story and original protocols)
      • Johnny Dawkins(screenplay "The Wave")
      • Ron Birnbach(screenplay "The Wave")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the novel "The Wave" by Todd Strasser (under the pen name Morton Rhue), a fictionalized account of the "Third Wave" teaching experiment by Ron Jones that took place in a Cubberley High School history class in Palo Alto, California in April 1967.
    • Goofs
      The action is clearly set in the 21st century, but the license plates of most or all cars begin with 'BE' (district 'Beckum', North Rhine-Westphalia). These licenses expired on January 1st, 1975. (This surely is intended to set the action 'somewhere in Germany')
    • Quotes

      Rainer Wenger: So you don't think there could be another dictatorship in Germany?

      Jens: No, we are too enlightened now.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening and closing credits appear as graffiti.
    • Connections
      Featured in We Are the Night (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Rock 'n' Roll High School
      Written by Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone

      Performed by EL*KE

      Produced by Mirko Schaffer

      ©1980 WB Music Corp. and Taco Tunes

    User reviews133

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A wonderful and moving film that had me gripped throughout. Absolutely brilliant.
    This is a wonderful film with a superb screenplay and direction and great acting from its mainly young cast. I felt myself being drawn into the film in the same way as Mr Wenger's students were being drawn into his 'experiment'. The drama unfolds relatively slowly at first, but with gathering momentum and consequences. There is also a very moving portrayal of some of the tensions produced within some of the romantic pairings as well as the extreme anguish caused in one student by his heightened susceptibility. I think the depth to which personal relationships and social groupings are explored make this into much more of a fascinating drama than an exercise in the condemning of fascism. Please don't be put off by the subtitles. I can't recommend this film too highly.
    helpful•119
    31
    • geoffgee
    • Sep 19, 2008

    FAQ1

    • What song is played when...?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 27, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • France
    • Official site
      • Constantin Film [Germany]
    • Language
      • German
    • Also known as
      • La ola
    • Filming locations
      • Berlin, Germany
    • Production companies
      • Rat Pack Filmproduktion
      • Constantin Film
      • B.A. Produktion
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $32,350,637
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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