Bernhard Wicki (28 October 1919 – 5 January 2000) was an

Austrian Austrian may refer to: * Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent ** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen, see Austrian nationality law * Austrian German dialect * Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ...

actor and film director.

Life and career

Wicki studied in the city of Breslau such topics as art history, history and German literature. In 1938, he transferred to the drama school of the Staatliches Schauspielhaus in Berlin. In 1939, because of his membership in the ''Bündische Jugend'', he was imprisoned for many months in the

Sachsenhausen concentration camp Sachsenhausen () or Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg was a German Nazi concentration camp in Oranienburg, Germany, used from 1936 until April 1945, shortly before the defeat of Nazi Germany in May later that year. It mainly held political prisoners ...

. After his release, he moved to Vienna, then in 1944 to Switzerland. After World War II, he starred in many films, including ''

Die letzte Brücke ''The Last Bridge'' (german: Die Letzte Brücke) is a 1954 Austrian-Yugoslavian war drama film directed by Helmut Käutner and starring Maria Schell, Bernhard Wicki and Barbara Rütting.Von Dassanowsky p.157 It tells the story of a German n ...

'' (1953) and '' Es geschah am 20. Juli'' (1955). He was also a photographer. His first attempt at directing came three years later with the documentary ''Warum sind sie gegen uns?'' (1958). He became internationally famous with his 1959 anti-war film ''

Die Brücke The Brücke (Bridge), also Künstlergruppe Brücke or KG Brücke was a group of German expressionist artists formed in Dresden in 1905. Founding members were Fritz Bleyl, Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Later memb ...

'', which was nominated for the

Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film The Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (known as Best Foreign Language Film prior to 2020) is one of the Academy Awards handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given to a ...

. In 1961 he won the

Silver Bear for Best Director The Silver Bear for Best Director (german: Silberner Bär/Bester Regie) is an award presented annually at the Berlin International Film Festival since 1956. It is given for the best achievement in directing and is chosen by the International Jury ...

at the 11th Berlin International Film Festival for his film ''

The Miracle of Father Malachia ''The Miracle of Father Malachia'' (german: Das Wunder des Malachias) is a 1961 West German black-and-white film directed by Bernhard Wicki and starring Horst Bollmann. The film is based on the 1931 novel '' Father Malachy's Miracle'' by Bruce Mar ...

''. His break in Hollywood came shortly thereafter when he was chosen to direct

Marlon Brando Marlon Brando Jr. (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004) was an American actor. Considered one of the most influential actors of the 20th century, he received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned six decades, including two Academ ...

and

Yul Brynner Yuliy Borisovich Briner (russian: link=no, Юлий Борисович Бринер; July 11, 1920 – October 10, 1985), known professionally as Yul Brynner, was a Russian-born actor. He was best known for his portrayal of King Mongkut in the ...

in the highly acclaimed World War II espionage thriller, '' Morituri'' in 1965. Wicki was a patron of the International Film Festival in Emden-Norderney, which first started in 1990. Wicki first married Agnes Fink, a fellow acting colleague, and later married Elisabeth Endriss, also a colleague. In the documentary ''Verstörung – und eine Art von Poesie'' (June 2007), Elisabeth Wicki-Endriss portrayed Wicki's life and work. Wicki is buried at the

Nymphenburg The Nymphenburg Palace (german: Schloss Nymphenburg, Palace of the Nymphs) is a Baroque palace situated in Munich's western district Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, in Bavaria, southern Germany. Combined with the adjacent Nymphenburg Palace Park it const ...

er cemetery in Munich (grave number 4-1-23). In 2001, the Bernhard Wicki Memorial Fund was established in Munich. Since 2002, it has awarded a yearly prize, ''The Bridge'', to selected films that promote peace. A further prize of 15,000 euros, endowed in 2006, is presented in his name in the city of

Emden Emden () is an independent city and seaport in Lower Saxony in the northwest of Germany, on the river Ems. It is the main city of the region of East Frisia and, in 2011, had a total population of 51,528. History The exact founding date of E ...

Selected filmography

Director * ''Warum sind sie gegen uns?'' (1958) * ''

'' (1959) * ''

'' (1961) * '' The Longest Day'' (with

Ken Annakin Kenneth Cooper Annakin, Order of the British Empire, OBE (10 August 1914 – 22 April 2009) was an England, English film director. His career spanned half a century, beginning in the early 1940s and ending in 2002, and in the 1960s he was notice ...

and

Andrew Marton Andrew Marton (born Endre Marton; 26 January 1904 – 7 January 1992) was a Hungarian-American film director. In his career, he directed 39 films and television programs, and worked on 16 as a second unit director, including the chariot race in ...

) (1962) * '' The Visit'' (1964) * '' Morituri'' (1965) * ' (1971) * ''Karpfs Karriere'' (1971) * ''

The Conquest of the Citadel ''The Conquest of the Citadel'' (german: Die Eroberung der Zitadelle) is a 1977 West German drama film directed by Bernhard Wicki. It was entered into the 27th Berlin International Film Festival. Cast * András Fricsay Kali Son as Hermann Bruc ...

'' (1977) * ' (1984) * ''Sansibar oder Der letzte Grund'' (1987) * '' Spider's Web'' (1989) Actor * ''

Der Postmeister ''Der Postmeister'' (English: ''The Postmaster'' or ''The Stationmaster'') is a 1940 Austrian-German film directed by Gustav Ucicky. Released during the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, it depicts Russians in a sympathetic light, unlike their depicti ...

'' (1940) – Statist (uncredited) * ''The Falling Star'' (1950) – Otto * ''

Young Heart Full of Love ''Young Heart Full of Love'' (german: Junges Herz voll Liebe) is a 1953 West German family drama film directed by Paul May and starring Heinrich Gretler, Hans Brenner and Lore Frisch.Holmstrom p. 210 Much of the film was shot on location in and ...

'' (1953) – Vitus Zingerl * '' The Last Bridge'' (1954) – Boro * ''

Circus of Love ''Circus of Love'' (german: link=no, Rummelplatz der Liebe) is a 1954 drama film directed by Kurt Neumann (director), Kurt Neumann and starring Eva Bartok, Curd Jürgens and Bernhard Wicki.Hayes p.152 It was made as a co-production (film), co-prod ...

'' (1954) – Franz * '' Prisoners of Love'' (1954) – Franz Martens * ''

The Mosquito ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1954) – Hugo * '' A Double Life'' (1954) – Rainer von Hohenburg * ''

The Eternal Waltz ''The Eternal Waltz'' (german: Ewiger Walzer, link=no) is a 1954 West German drama film dramatizing the life of Johann Strauss II.Bock & Bergfelder p. 529 The initial story was written by Hanns Marschall and Ruth Charlotte Silbermann, and the fil ...

'' (1954) – Johann Strauß Sohn * '' Children, Mother, and the General'' (1955) – Hauptmann Dornberg * ''

Jackboot Mutiny ''Jackboot Mutiny'' (german: Es geschah am 20. Juli, literally ''It Happened on 20 July'') is a 1955 German film directed by Georg Wilhelm Pabst about the 20 July Plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It features Bernhard Wicki as Stauffenberg. Cast ...

'' (1955) – Oberst Graf v. Stauffenberg * ''Du mein stilles Tal'' (1955) – Erik Linden * ' (1955) – Geert von Innstetten * ''

Fruit Without Love ''Fruit Without Love'' (german: Frucht ohne Liebe) is a 1956 West German romantic drama film directed by Ulrich Erfurth and starring Gertrud Kückelmann, Bernhard Wicki and Claus Holm.Bock & Bergfelder p.61 It was made at the Spandau Studios in ...

'' (1956) – Dr. Kolb * ''Weil du arm bist, mußt du früher sterben'' (1956) – Dr. Grüter * ' (1956) – Dr. Jan Vlimmen * '' Queen Louise'' (1957) – Zar Alexander * ' (1957) – Robert * ''

The Zurich Engagement ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1957) – Paul Frank * ''Es wird alles wieder gut'' (1957) – Unterhaltungschef Dr. Johann Krapp * '' Escape from Sahara'' (1958) – Luigi Locatelli * '' The Cat'' (1958) – Bernard Werner * '' Restless Night'' (1958) – Priest Brunner * ''Frauensee'' (1958) – Karl Anton Graf Chur * ' (1959) – Tex Richards * ''

Stage Fright Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, real or imagined, whether actually or potentially (for example, when perf ...

'' (1960) – Rohrbach * ''

La Notte ''La Notte'' (; en, "The Night") is a 1961 drama film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and starring Marcello Mastroianni, Jeanne Moreau and Monica Vitti (with Umberto Eco appearing in a cameo). Filmed on location in Milan, the film is the r ...

'' (1961) – Tommaso Garani * ''

L'amore difficile ''L'amore difficile'' (internationally released as ''Of Wayward Love'' and as ''Sex Can Be Difficult'') is a 1962 Italian comedy anthology film. The film represents the directorial debut of the four authors, who were however all experienced in ot ...

'' (1962) – Hans (segment "Il serpente") * '' Eleven Years and One Day'' (1963) – Karl Rodenbach * ''

Portuguese Vacation ''Portuguese Vacation'' (French: ''Vacances portugaises'') is a 1963 French-Portuguese drama film directed by Pierre Kast and starring Françoise Arnoul, Michel Auclair and Jean-Pierre Aumont.Oscherwitz & Higgins p.26 Cast * Françoise Arnoul as ...

'' (1963) – Bernard * ' (1969) – Vaeter / Father * '' Carlos'' (1971, TV Movie) – Philipp * ''

Crime and Passion ''Crime and Passion'', also known as ''Ace Up My Sleeve'', is a 1975 comedy drama film.Ebert, Roger (May 4, 1976)''Crime and Passion''. RogerEbert.com. Plot André Ferren learns from his girlfriend and co-worker Susan Winters that the biggest clie ...

'' (1976) – Rolf * ''

Derrick A derrick is a lifting device composed at minimum of one guyed mast, as in a gin pole, which may be articulated over a load by adjusting its guys. Most derricks have at least two components, either a guyed mast or self-supporting tower, and a ...

'' (1977, Season 4, Episode 3: "Eine Nacht im Oktober") – Dr. Lechner * '' The Glass Cell'' (1978) – Police Commissioner Österreicher * '' Despair'' (1978) – Orlovius * ''

The Left-Handed Woman ''The Left-Handed Woman'' (german: Die linkshändige Frau) is a 1978 West German drama film directed by Peter Handke. It was based on Handke's own novel. It was entered into the 1978 Cannes Film Festival. Cast * Edith Clever as Marianne * Bruno ...

'' (1978) – Verleger * ''

The Man in the Rushes ''The Man in the Rushes'' (German: ''Der Mann im Schilf'') is a 1978 West German thriller film directed by Manfred Purzer and starring Jean Sorel, Erika Pluhar and Nathalie Delon.Bock & Bergfelder p.529 The film's sets were designed by the art dir ...

'' (1978) – Sir Gerald * ''

Death Watch ''Death Watch'' (french: La Mort en direct) is a 1980 science fiction film directed by Bertrand Tavernier. It is based on the 1973 novel ''The Unsleeping Eye'' by David G. Compton. The film was entered into the 30th Berlin International Film F ...

'' (1980) – Katherine's Dad * ''

'' (1980, Season 7, Episode 9: "Zeuge Yuroski") – Karl Yurowski * ' (1982) – Lehrter * ''

The Mysterious Stranger ''The Mysterious Stranger'' is a novel attempted by the American author Mark Twain. He worked on it intermittently from 1897 through 1908. Twain wrote multiple versions of the story; each involves a supernatural character called "Satan" or "No. ...

'' (1982, TV Movie) – Heinrich Stein * ''

Spring Symphony The Spring Symphony is a choral symphony by Benjamin Britten, his Opus 44. It is dedicated to Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It was premiered in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, on Thursday 14 July 1949 (not 9 July which is ...

'' (1983) – Baron von Fricken * ''

A Love in Germany ''Eine Liebe in Deutschland'' (''A Love in Germany'') is a 1983 feature film directed by Andrzej Wajda. The film is based on the novel by Rolf Hochhuth about a woman who commits adultery with a prisoner of war while her husband serves as a soldier ...

'' (1983) – Dr. Borg * ''

Dangerous Moves ''Dangerous Moves'' (french: La Diagonale du fou) is a 1984 French-language film about chess, directed by Richard Dembo, produced by Arthur Cohn, starring Michel Piccoli, Alexandre Arbatt, as well as Liv Ullmann, Leslie Caron, and Bernhard W ...

'' (1984) – Pühl * ''

Paris, Texas Paris is a city and county seat of Lamar County, Texas, United States. Located in Northeast Texas at the western edge of the Piney Woods, the population of the city was 24,171 in 2020. History Present-day Lamar County was part of Red River Co ...

'' (1984) – Doctor Ulmer * ''Bereg'' (1984) – Weber, Verleger * ''

A Kind of Anger ''A Kind of Anger'' is a novel by British thriller writer Eric Ambler, first published in 1964. Like many of Ambler's post-war novels the thriller plot is laced with elements of comedy. Plot summary A car comes hurtling down the drive of a rem ...

'' (1984, TV Movie) – Philipp Sanger * ' (1985) – George Abbot * ' (1986) – Von der Mühle * '' Spider's Web'' (1989) – Herr Waizenbaum * '' Martha and I'' (1990) – Narrator (scenes deleted) * '' Success'' (1991) – Bichler * ''Das Geheimnis'' (1993) – Dr. Virgil Schwarz * ''Prinzenbad'' (1993) – Dany

Decorations and awards

* 1958: Film Award in Silver (documentary) for ''Warum sind sie gegen uns?'' (''Why they are against us?'') * 1960: The Golden Bowl, Film Award (Director),

German Film Critics Award The Preis der deutschen Filmkritik is a prize given by the German Film Critics Association, awarded to the best German films of the past year. The Preis der deutschen Filmkritik is the only German film prize issued exclusively by film critics. The ...

, German Youth Film Award,

Golden Globe The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...

and an

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

nomination (Best Foreign Film) for ''

'' (''The Bridge'') * 1960: United Nations award for contribution to peace * 1961:

Silver Bear The Berlin International Film Festival (german: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (), is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festi ...

at the

Berlin Film Festival The Berlin International Film Festival (german: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (), is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festi ...

(Best Director) for ''

'' * 1962:

Bambi ''Bambi'' is a 1942 American animated drama film directed by David Hand (supervising a team of sequence directors), produced by Walt Disney and based on the 1923 book ''Bambi, a Life in the Woods'' by Austrian author and hunter Felix Salten ...

* 1972: Golden Camera (Director) and Film Award (Director) for ''Das falsche Gewicht'' (''The wrong weight'') * 1976: Film Award for many years of excellent work in the German film industry * 1977: Film Award in Silver for ''

'' * 1979: St. Jakob Prandtauer Prize for Science and Art of the city of St Pölten * 1982: Great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany * 1985: Film Award (Director) for ''Die Grünstein-Variante'' (''The greenstone variant'') * 1986: Helmut Käutner Award * 1986: Critics Award for ''Die Grünstein-Variante'' * 1988:

Adolf Grimme Award The Grimme-Preis ("Grimme Award"; prior to 2011: Adolf-Grimme-Preis) is one of the most prestigious German television awards. It is named after the first general director of Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk, Adolf Grimme.Bavarian Film Award The Bavarian Film Awards (german: Bayerischer Filmpreis) have been awarded annually since 1979 by the state government of Bavaria in Germany for “exceptional achievement in German filmmaking.” Along with the German Film Awards, these are the ...

* 1989: Honorary Award of the ''

Abendzeitung The Abendzeitung (''"Evening Paper"''), sometimes abbreviated to AZ, is a liberal morning tabloid newspaper from Munich, Germany. A localized edition is published in Nuremberg. The paper is published six days a week; the masthead of the Saturday ...

'' (''Evening Paper'') * 1989: Academy Award nomination (Best Foreign Film) and Film Award (Director) for '' The Spider's Web'' * 1990:

Berlin International Film Festival The Berlin International Film Festival (german: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (), is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festi ...

: Berlinale Camera * 1990:

Schwabing Art Prize Since 1961, the Schwabing Art Prize has been awarded annually by the city of Munich to persons or institutions that have their seat in the Munich district Schwabing or whose achievements have been made "in the spirit of Schwabing tradition". It is ...

(prize) * 1992:

Universum Film AG UFA GmbH, shortened to UFA (), is a film and television production company that unites all production activities of the media conglomerate Bertelsmann in Germany. Its name derives from Universum-Film Aktiengesellschaft (normally abbreviated as ...

prize * 1992:

Bavarian Order of Merit The Bavarian Order of Merit (german: Bayerischer Verdienstorden) is the Order of Merit of the Free State of Bavaria. It is awarded by the Minister-President of Bavaria as a "recognition of outstanding contributions to the Free State of Bavaria ...

* 1998:

DIVA Award Diva (; ) is the Latin word for a goddess. It has often been used to refer to a celebrated woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, theatre, cinema, fashion and popular music. If referring to an actress, the meaning of ''diva'' is clo ...

* 1999: Medal "Munich shines" in gold * 2000:

Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (german: Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst) is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria and forms part of the Austrian national honours system. History The "Austrian D ...

References

External links

* *
Photographs and literature
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wicki, Bernhard 1919 births 2000 deaths People from Sankt Pölten Austrian film directors Austrian male film actors Austrian male television actors German-language film directors Silver Bear for Best Director recipients Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Recipients of the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class 20th-century Austrian male actors Best Director German Film Award winners

Life and career

Selected filmography

Decorations and awards

References

Further reading

External links