Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
08-16-22, 01:12 PM
#1
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
08-16-22, 01:22 PM
#2
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
He was a really solid action director, which isn't something that's easy to be. In the Line of Fire is definitely a highlight. I remember seeing that with a couple buddies at the theater when it first came out. Sad news.
08-16-22, 01:30 PM
#3
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
Sad that it was pancreatic cancer that killed him. I had a co-worker die from it a few years ago.
But, back to his career, I admit that I never saw Das Boot, which set him on the map. But, I did watch pretty much all of his American films and In the Line of Fire and Air Force One were two of my favorites. He had a good career.
But, back to his career, I admit that I never saw Das Boot, which set him on the map. But, I did watch pretty much all of his American films and In the Line of Fire and Air Force One were two of my favorites. He had a good career.
08-16-22, 01:33 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
Damn. That’s too bad. He had a really solid run in the 90s and was one of my favorite directors for a time.
Das Boot is a classic but he also directed some really entertaining movies in In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, The Perfect Storm, and Outbreak.
During that stretch when I became a fan I was also surprised to find out he also directed The Neverending Story too, which was practically played on a loop when I was a little kid.
Das Boot is a classic but he also directed some really entertaining movies in In the Line of Fire, Air Force One, The Perfect Storm, and Outbreak.
During that stretch when I became a fan I was also surprised to find out he also directed The Neverending Story too, which was practically played on a loop when I was a little kid.
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08-16-22, 02:28 PM
#6
Administrator
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
I watch Thief, couple days later, James Caan dies. I watch Poseidon, couple days later, Wolfgang Peterson dies. 
I think he was a breed of director that doesn't exist anymore, unfortunately. Troy, Air Force One, In the Line of Fire, Outbreak... some pretty entertaining, relatively original work.
I think he was a breed of director that doesn't exist anymore, unfortunately. Troy, Air Force One, In the Line of Fire, Outbreak... some pretty entertaining, relatively original work.
08-16-22, 02:51 PM
#8
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
I forgot that he directed Outbreak, that is one of the earlier films my brother in law worked on (special effects artist) which just makes me smile that a member of my family has that connection to a Wolfgang Peterson film. The man was a wonderful action director, and I have seen quite a few of his films. RIP. Also, married for 50 years, that is also quite an accomplishment.
08-16-22, 03:33 PM
#9
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
The Neverending Story was a childhood staple. Raise your hand if you grew up in the 80's and were shown this at school. I revisited it a few years ago and it still holds up.
When I was 13, I'd tell anyone who'd listen that In the Line of Fire was my favorite movie. I thought Malkovich and his plastic gun was the coolest thing I'd ever seen.
In recent years I caught up with Shattered, a preposterous neo-noir that just oozes 1991. Petersen gives it a hazy, dreamlike quality (not unlike Neverending Story) that is perfect for the story being told. I absolutely love it.
When I was 13, I'd tell anyone who'd listen that In the Line of Fire was my favorite movie. I thought Malkovich and his plastic gun was the coolest thing I'd ever seen.
In recent years I caught up with Shattered, a preposterous neo-noir that just oozes 1991. Petersen gives it a hazy, dreamlike quality (not unlike Neverending Story) that is perfect for the story being told. I absolutely love it.
08-16-22, 06:24 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
Das Boot and Enemy Mine were two of his best films. He was a very good director. His films certainly ran the gamut of genres.
08-16-22, 07:02 PM
#13
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
His last film was actually a German heist comedy called FOUR AGAINST THE BANK, but I don't remember it ever getting released in North America. Don't know if it's any good.
08-16-22, 07:07 PM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
What about Shattered(underrated)?
08-16-22, 07:30 PM
#15
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
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08-16-22, 07:49 PM
#17
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
DAS BOOT alone would secure his reputation as a talented filmmaker. No submarine movie since has matched it but what a string of blockbusters in the 90's. It was a good time at the movies when something like "In the Line of Fire" or "Air Force One" was showing. A couple of his movies found a resurgence in recent years with Outbreak of course but also The NeverEnding Story getting referenced in Strange Things. I remember seeing Enemy Mine on VHS as a kid and really enjoying it. Need to revisit that one.
08-17-22, 02:25 AM
#18
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
As a kid I visited the Bavaria Film Studios in Munich and they still had a lot of the sets of Enemy Mine, Das Boot and the Neverending Story. Back then I hadn't watched Das Boot, but Enemy Mine was always one of my favorites. Last year I showed it to my wife and while the movie screams 80s as lout as possible, it's still pretty good.
I liked all of his American movies, even his last one Poseidon. Movies like In the Line of Fire, Outbreak or Air Force One helped shaping the face of 90s mid budget movies. His last movie in 2016 'Four against the Bank' was his first german language movie since Das Boot and a remake of his own TV movie from 1976. It was actually pretty funny, although most critics didn't like it.
Besides Das Boot he didn't make a lot of movies in Germany, at least for a theatrical release. Most of the money in German show business is in TV.
I liked all of his American movies, even his last one Poseidon. Movies like In the Line of Fire, Outbreak or Air Force One helped shaping the face of 90s mid budget movies. His last movie in 2016 'Four against the Bank' was his first german language movie since Das Boot and a remake of his own TV movie from 1976. It was actually pretty funny, although most critics didn't like it.
Besides Das Boot he didn't make a lot of movies in Germany, at least for a theatrical release. Most of the money in German show business is in TV.
08-17-22, 11:00 PM
#21
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
I wanted to watch a Petersen movie, but couldn't motivate my wife for action or thriller. We then watched The NeverEnding Story, which I haven't seen for 30 years. It's quite good, although the ending comes abruptly.
Wolfgang
08-18-22, 03:25 PM
#24
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
I do watch my movies, but yesterday I wanted to watch a movie with my wife, but she wasn't interested in those I fancied most. I'm sure I'll watch In the Line of Fire and/or Outbreak in the next couple of days.
08-20-22, 12:49 AM
#25
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Director Wolfgang Petersen dead at 81
I watched In the Line of Fire in 1993 in the theater (may have been opening weekend) and enjoyed it. I go back to it every 5 years or so and it still holds up, even though I've seen it like a lot of times. It's perfectly cast too. I couldn't imagine anyone but Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich playing the two main leads.
RIP Wolfgang
RIP Wolfgang
