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The Wave

Original title: Die Welle
  • 2008
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
119K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,916
158
The Wave (2008)
The Wave: Clip 8
Play clip1:07
Watch The Wave: Clip 8
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Psychological DramaPsychological ThrillerDramaThriller

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.

  • Director
    • Dennis Gansel
  • Writers
    • Ron Jones
    • Johnny Dawkins
    • Ron Birnbach
  • Stars
    • Jürgen Vogel
    • Frederick Lau
    • Max Riemelt
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    119K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,916
    158
    • Director
      • Dennis Gansel
    • Writers
      • Ron Jones
      • Johnny Dawkins
      • Ron Birnbach
    • Stars
      • Jürgen Vogel
      • Frederick Lau
      • Max Riemelt
    • 134User reviews
    • 105Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos4

    The Wave: Clip 8
    Clip 1:07
    The Wave: Clip 8
    The Wave: Clip 2
    Clip 0:41
    The Wave: Clip 2
    The Wave: Clip 2
    Clip 0:41
    The Wave: Clip 2
    The Wave: Clip 6
    Clip 1:43
    The Wave: Clip 6
    The Wave: Clip 4
    Clip 0:49
    The Wave: Clip 4

    Photos338

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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Jürgen Vogel
    Jürgen Vogel
    • Rainer Wenger
    Frederick Lau
    Frederick Lau
    • Tim Stoltefuss
    Max Riemelt
    Max Riemelt
    • Marco
    Jennifer Ulrich
    Jennifer Ulrich
    • Karo
    Christiane Paul
    Christiane Paul
    • Anke Wenger
    Jacob Matschenz
    Jacob Matschenz
    • Dennis
    Cristina do Rego
    Cristina do Rego
    • Lisa
    Elyas M'Barek
    Elyas M'Barek
    • Sinan
    Maximilian Vollmar
    • Bomber
    Max Mauff
    Max Mauff
    • Kevin
    • (as Maximilian Mauff)
    Ferdinand Schmidt-Modrow
    • Ferdi
    Tim Oliver Schultz
    Tim Oliver Schultz
    • Jens
    Amelie Kiefer
    • Mona
    Fabian Preger
    • Kaschi
    Odine Johne
    Odine Johne
    • Maja
    Tino Mewes
    Tino Mewes
    • Schädel
    Karoline Teska
    • Miri
    Marco Bretscher-Coschignano
    • Dominik
    • Director
      • Dennis Gansel
    • Writers
      • Ron Jones
      • Johnny Dawkins
      • Ron Birnbach
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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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
      Although set somewhere in western Germany, all policemen wear insignia of the state of Berlin.
    • 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 Die Johannes B. Kerner Show: Episode dated 12 March 2008 (2008)
    • 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 reviews134

    Featured review
    9/10

    The Wave

    That's what the title "Die Welle" means. A teacher makes an experiment. He wants his class to understand what autocracy means. It starts with them stopping calling him by first name. Then they have to rise while addressed. Then, there are uniforms and a special saluting. And then, it runs out of control.

    The most disturbing thing is that the teacher slowly loses control over himself, until there is a disaster.

    OK, does it take a week to form young people to fascists? That's not the point. How ever long it takes, the interesting answer here is that it is possible at all. Do we run that risk too? Well, if you look into yourself, you maybe won't find a fascist, but you'll probably find someone who wants to be a part of something. Whatever it is.
    • stensson
    • Jan 2, 2009
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

    • How long is The Wave?Powered by Alexa
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    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

    Tech specs

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

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