Bertelsmann and the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation: Partners in the Preservation of Silent Films

Historic Ufa is a household name among film enthusiasts. In its heyday, it was one of the most important film production studios in the world, giving rise to some of the greatest stars of German cinema. From Fritz Lang and Erich Pommer to Marlene Dietrich and Hildegard Knef, many of the immortal names of cinematic history celebrated successes with unforgotten Ufa classics. The history of Ufa is part of Germany’s cultural legacy. Bertelsmann acquired Ufa, which had become insolvent after reprivatization, with effect from January 1, 1964. In 1966, the film stocks of historic Ufa were transferred to the newly founded Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation, which is devoted to the preservation of cinematic heritage to this day, and has already completed elaborate restorations of various silent film classics. Since 2013, it has regularly received crucial financial support for its projects from Bertelsmann.

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Black-and-white film still of a man and a woman seated at a simple wooden table, both resting their heads on their hands. The setting is sparse, with a painted wall featuring ornamental motifs in the background.

Kohlhiesel's Daughters

In 2023/24, Bertelsmann supported the restoration of another Lubitsch classic: KOHLHIESEL'S DAUGHTERS (1920), which was screened at the UFA Film Nights 2024.

Two silent film characters face each other closely; a dark-haired, bearded man gazes intently at a proud woman wearing a lace veil and a dark curl on her cheek.

Carmen

Ernst Lubitsch’s CARMEN from 1918 is loosely adapted from the opera of the same name. The restored version was premiered at the UFA Film Nights 2021

A dark haired man and a woman with a bob stand closely embraced, gazing intently at each other, he is smiling, her arm around his neck in an intimate black and white silent film scene.

The Fiddler of Florence

2018 saw the premiere of yet another silent movie classic, again restored with Bertelsmann's support. Paul Czinners "The Fiddler of Florence", restored to former glory, was first shown at Berlin's 2018 UFA Film Nights.

Two figures in historical clothing face each other fencing in a large space with tall stone columns and an ornamented floor. At the top of the image, red text reads: “Fritz Lang – Der müde Tod.”

Fritz Lang: Destiny

In 2016, the digitally restored and newly colorized version of Fritz Lang's classic “Der Müde Tod” (Destiny) celebrated its world premiere at the Berlinale Classics, an event at the International Film Festival in Berlin.

Close-up of an expressionistically lit male face from a silent film, wide-open eyes dark with make up against a dark background.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari – A Classic Goes Digital

The classic of expressionist cinema, Robert Wiene's “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” was the first major silent film restoration project Bertelsmann chose to support.