Wolfgang Petersen
Petersen in 2006
Born(1941-03-14)14 March 1941
Emden, Germany
Died12 August 2022(2022-08-12) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Citizenship
  • Germany
  • United States
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active1953–2016
Spouses
Ursula Sieg
​
​
(m. 1970; div. 1978)​
Maria Borgel-Petersen
​
​
(m. 1978)​
Children1

Wolfgang Petersen (14 March 1941 – 12 August 2022) was a German filmmaker. He was nominated for two Academy Awards for the World War II submarine warfare film Das Boot (1981). His other films include The NeverEnding Story (1984), Enemy Mine (1985), In the Line of Fire (1993), Outbreak (1995), Air Force One (1997), The Perfect Storm (2000), Troy (2004), and Poseidon (2006).

Early life

Petersen was born on 14 March 1941 in Emden,[1] the son of a naval officer.[2] From 1953 to 1960, Petersen attended the Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums in Hamburg.[3][4]

He made his first films with an 8 mm camera while still at school.[2] In the 1960s he was directing plays at Hamburg's Ernst Deutsch Theater.[5] After studying theater in Berlin and Hamburg, Petersen attended the Film and Television Academy in Berlin (1966–1970).[6]

Career

Petersen's first productions were for German television, and it was during his work on the popular German Tatort (Crime Scene) TV series that he first met and worked with the actor Jürgen Prochnow[7] — who would later appear as the U-boat captain in Petersen's famous Das Boot. The most famous of his Tatort episodes is Reifezeugnis (Maturity Certificate) from 1977 with the young Nastassja Kinski.[8] He shot 6 Tatort episodes.[9]

Petersen made his first theatrical feature film in 1974, the psychological thriller One or the Other of Us, based on the novel Einer von uns beiden by Horst Bosetzky and published anonymously under his pseudonym and starring Jürgen Prochnow.[10] He next directed the 1977 film Die Konsequenz, a black/white adaptation of Alexander Ziegler's autobiographical novel of homosexual love.[10] In its time, the film was considered so radical that when first broadcast in Germany, the Bavarian network Bayerischer Rundfunk turned off the transmitters rather than broadcast it.[11]

His next feature was the World War II epic Das Boot, released in early 1982.[12] The film chronicles the experiences of a German submarine crew engaged in the "Battle of the Atlantic".[13] Though not an immediate financial success, the film received highly positive reviews and was nominated for six Academy Awards, two of which (for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay) went to Petersen;[14] he was also nominated for a BAFTA Award and DGA Award.[15] The film starred Jürgen Prochnow as the U-boat Captain,[16] who became a good example of Petersen's action characters, a man at war who confronts danger and fate at sea.

From left to right: Stanley O'Toole, Dennis Quaid and Petersen in 1984

After The NeverEnding Story (1984),[17] Petersen's first English-language film, he directed Enemy Mine (1985),[18][14] which was not a critical or box office success. He hit his stride in 1993 with the assassination thriller In the Line of Fire.[19] Starring Clint Eastwood as an angst-ridden presidential Secret Service guard,[19] In the Line of Fire gave Petersen the box office clout he needed to direct another suspense thriller, Outbreak (1995), starring Dustin Hoffman.[20] The 1997 Petersen blockbuster Air Force One did very well at the box office, with generally positive critical reviews from movie critics. For both Air Force One and Outbreak, Petersen teamed up with the German cinematographer Michael Ballhaus,[21] who has also worked frequently with director Martin Scorsese.[22]

Petersen at the filming location of Air Force One

By 1998, Petersen was an established Hollywood director, with the power to both re-release his classic Das Boot in a new director's cut and to helm star-studded action-thrillers. As such, he was originally considered to direct the first movie in the Harry Potter film series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Petersen pulled out of the running in March 2000.[23]

In the 2000s, Petersen continued to direct two summer blockbusters, the films The Perfect Storm (2000) and Troy (2004). The success of the former helped his Radiant Productions company to sign a deal with Warner Bros.[24]

Petersen, Boulevard der Stars, Berlin

Petersen's $160 million epic film Poseidon, a re-telling of the 1969 Paul Gallico novel The Poseidon Adventure (previously adapted for the 1972 disaster film), was released by Warner Bros. in May 2006. The film performed poorly in the U.S., barely exceeding $60 million in domestic box office receipts by early August, but international sales surpassed $121 million.[25]

Although hired to direct the film adaptation of Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card that was scheduled for release in 2008, he later "moved on"[26] from the project. His potential projects included a live-action adaptation of the 2006 anime film Paprika[27] and a film adaptation of the science fiction novel Old Man's War.[28]

After a ten-year hiatus, Petersen returned in 2016 as director of the heist comedy Vier gegen die Bank, his first German-language film since Das Boot in 1981.[29]

Personal life

Petersen's first marriage was with actress Ursula Sieg [de];[8] they had a son.[30][14] In 1978, he married his assistant Maria Borgel.[8] Petersen moved to Los Angeles in 1986[8] and subsequently acquired American citizenship.[8]

Death

Petersen died of pancreatic cancer on 12 August 2022, at the age of 81, at his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, United States.[31][32]

Filmography

Source:[33][34]

Short films

Year Title Director Writer
1968 Die rote Fahne Yes No
1969 Ich nicht Yes Yes
1969 Der Eine, der Andere Yes Yes

Feature films

Year Title Director Producer Writer
1971 Ich werde dich töten, Wolf Yes No Yes
1974 One or the Other of Us Yes No No
1981 Das Boot Yes No Yes
1984 The NeverEnding Story Yes No Yes
1985 Enemy Mine Yes No No
1991 Shattered Yes Yes Yes
1993 In the Line of Fire Yes Executive No
1995 Outbreak Yes Yes No
1997 Air Force One Yes Yes No
2000 The Perfect Storm Yes Yes No
2004 Troy Yes Yes No
2006 Poseidon Yes Yes No
2016 Vier gegen die Bank Yes Yes No

Television

TV movies

Year Title Director Writer
1965 Stadt auf Stelzen Yes No
1972 Anna und Totò Yes No
1973 Smog [de] Yes No
Van der Valk und die Reichen [de] Yes No
1974 Aufs Kreuz gelegt Yes No
1975 Die Stadt im Tal [de] Yes No
Stellenweise Glatteis Yes No
1976 Hans im Glück [de] Yes No
Vier gegen die Bank Yes No
1977 Planübung Yes Yes
Die Konsequenz Yes Yes
1978 Schwarz und weiß wie Tage und Nächte Yes No

TV series

Year Title Director Writer Executive
producer 		Notes
1971–1977 Tatort Yes Yes No Directed 6 episodes;
Wrote 2 episodes
2001–2003 The Agency No No Yes 4 episodes

Critical reception

Year Film Rotten Tomatoes
1981 Das Boot 98%[35]
1984 The NeverEnding Story 81%[36]
1985 Enemy Mine 61%[37]
1991 Shattered 31%[38]
1993 In the Line of Fire 96%[39]
1995 Outbreak 60%[40]
1997 Air Force One 76%[41]
2000 The Perfect Storm 47%[42]
2004 Troy 54%[43]
2006 Poseidon 33%[44]

References

  1. ^ Bock, Hans-Michael; Bergfelder, Tim (2009). The Concise Cinegraph: Encyclopaedia of German Cinema. Berghahn Books. p. 359. ISBN 978-0-85745-565-9.
  2. ^ a b Brandstetter, Markus (16 August 2022). ""Das Boot"-Regisseur Wolfgang Petersen ist gestorben". Musikexpress (in German). Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Hier lernte ein Hollywood-Regisseur". Hamburger Abendblatt (in German). 25 May 2004. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Seit Jahrhunderten Hamburgs Elitenschmiede". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). 18 June 2004. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Wolfgang Petersen: Ostfriese und "Das Boot"-Regisseur ist tot". NDR.de (in German). 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Wolfgang Petersen – DFFB". Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (in German). 25 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Gespräch mit Jürgen Prochnow – Tatort". Erstes Deutsches Fernsehen (ARD) (in German). 7 October 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Wolfgang Petersen: Deutscher Starregisseur ist tot". Der Spiegel (in German). 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Trauer um Wolfgang Petersen: "Er tat das, was er am meisten liebte"". NDR.de (in German). 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  10. ^ a b ""Das Boot"-Regisseur Wolfgang Petersen ist tot". tagesschau.de (in German). 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Chronik der ARD – BR zeigt den Film »Die Konsequenz« nicht". web.ard.de (in German). Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Im Alter von 81 Jahren: "Das Boot"-Regisseur Wolfgang Petersen ist gestorben". FAZ.NET (in German). 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Das Boot". Fakultät für Informatik – OvGU Magdeburg Fakultät für Informatik (in German). Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  14. ^ a b c Smith, Harrison (16 August 2022). "Wolfgang Petersen, Oscar-nominated director of 'Das Boot,' dies at 81". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Das Boot (1981) – Wolfgang Petersen – Awards". AllMovie. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  16. ^ Arts, Academy of Motion Picture (16 August 2022). "Wolfgang Petersen, Oscar-Nominated Director of 'Das Boot,' Dies at 81". A.frame. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  17. ^ "The Neverending Movie Saga". Michael Ende. 30 March 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Grrrrrrrrrr im Weltraum". Der Spiegel (in German). 8 December 1985. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  19. ^ a b Coyle, Jake (17 August 2022). "'Das Boot,' 'Air Force One,' 'In the Line of Fire' director Wolfgang Petersen dies at 81". Japan Today. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Outbreak – Lautlose Killer". FILMSTARTS.de (in German). 30 March 1995. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Wolfgang Petersen zum Tod von Ballhaus". B.Z. – Die Stimme Berlins (in German). 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Trauer um Michael Ballhaus: "Er hat mir den Spaß am Filmen zurückgegeben"". FAZ.NET (in German). 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  23. ^ Linder, Brian (7 March 2000). "Two Potential "Harry Potter" Director's Back Out". IGN. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2007.
  24. ^ Fleming, Michael (12 January 2001). "Petersen hits beach at WB". Variety. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  25. ^ Duffy, Thomas (17 August 2022). "Prolific Action Movie Director Wolfgang Petersen Dies at 81". FilmBook. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  26. ^ io9 website article Archived 30 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine (4/18/08), accessed 20 June 2008
  27. ^ "Wolfgang Peterson Talks About His Live-Action Adaptation of Paprika". /Film. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  28. ^ Old Man's War at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  29. ^ Vier gegen die Bank at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  30. ^ Mouriquand, David (17 August 2022). "'Das Boot' director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81". euronews. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  31. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (16 August 2022). "Director Wolfgang Petersen Dies At 81; Hollywood Star Rose After 'Das Boot' To Include Blockbusters 'The Perfect Storm,' 'Air Force One' & 'In The Line Of Fire'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  32. ^ Goldmann, A. J. (16 August 2022). "Wolfgang Petersen, Director of 'Das Boot,' Is Dead at 81". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022 – via NYTimes.com.
  33. ^ "Filmografie Wolfgang Petersen". fernsehserien.de (in German). 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  34. ^ "Wolfgang Petersen". filmportal.de (in German). 14 March 1941. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  35. ^ "Das Boot (1981) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  36. ^ "The NeverEnding Story (1984) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  37. ^ "Enemy Mine (1985) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  38. ^ "Shattered (1991) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  39. ^ "In the Line of Fire (1993) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  40. ^ "Outbreak (1995) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  41. ^ "Air Force One (1997) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  42. ^ "The Perfect Storm (2000) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Troy (2004) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  44. ^ "Poseidon (2006) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.

External links

Films directed by Wolfgang Petersen
New German Cinema
Authority control databases
Categories