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Wolfgang Petersen

Wolfgang Petersen

Wolfgang Petersen was a German-born screenwriter, producer and film director who spent most of his career in the United States. In the 1960s he began working directing plays at the Ernst Deutsch Theater in Hamburg. After becoming interested in theater in Berlin and Hamburg, Petersen attended the Berlin Film and Television Academy (1966-70). His first productions were for German state television, and it was during his work on the popular crime series Crime Scene that he met actor Jürgen Prochnow, who would later appear in his iconic film Das Boot (1981). His other films include The NeverEnding Story (1984), cult film Enemy Mine (1985), Shattered (1991), In the Line of Fire (1993), Outbreak (1995), Air Force One (1997), The Perfect Storm (2000), Troy (2004), Poseidon (2006) and Four Against the Bank (2016), his latest film.

Known for

U-96, The True Story of 'Das Boot'
U-96, The True Story of 'Das Boot'
2023 • Self (archive footage)
Das Boot Revisited: An Underwater Success Story
Das Boot Revisited: An Underwater Success Story
2021 • Self - Das Boot Screenwriter and Director
Stardust Hollywood - Sternenstaub und Götterwelten
2013 • Self
Der Bernd
2012 • Self
Wolfgang Petersen: Back to the Boat
Wolfgang Petersen: Back to the Boat
2011 • Self
Gottschalk meets Petersen
2005 • Himself
Starbuck Holger Meins
2002 • Self
Hollywood, Germany - Die amerikanische Herausforderung
1996 • Self

Full filmography

U-96, The True Story of 'Das Boot'
U-96, The True Story of 'Das Boot'
2023 • Self (archive footage)
View movie
Das Boot Revisited: An Underwater Success Story
Das Boot Revisited: An Underwater Success Story
2021 • Self - Das Boot Screenwriter and Director
View movie
Der Bernd
2012 • Self
View movie
The NeverEnding Story
The NeverEnding Story
1984 • Man Who Drops Milk (uncredited)
View movie