Camp elder and covert communist leader. He stalls evacuation preparations by feigning cooperation, orders the armed uprising, and retrieves the hidden child during liberation.
Holländer-Michel is a giant, dark forest spirit who offers Peter Munk wealth in exchange for his living heart, replacing it with a heart-shaped stone. This bargain makes Peter ruthlessly successful but destroys his compassion, love, and scruples. Holländer-Michel's possession of Peter's heart enables the final struggle to restore Peter's humanity.
Klott is a gangster who owns a bar serving American soldiers. He recruits Klaus and Max to steal valuable circus horses from East Berlin, offering payment for their help. His criminal plan places him in opposition to the two boys, whose change of heart ultimately leads to his scheme being stopped.
Kalle is a single, vegetarian former cigarette-factory worker from Dresden who travels to Wittenberge to obtain carbide for rebuilding the factory roof. His return journey lasts six weeks and brings arrests, accidents, romance, theft, and imprisonment before he finally delivers two barrels and turns back toward Karla.
Karl Achilles has worked for thirty years at the chemical collective in Bitterfeld and is now leaving his position as a master to retire. He finds the end of his working life difficult and must seek a new sense of purpose. On his final day, he encounters colleagues and other people before his colleagues' farewell dinner.
Dirk's grandfather was a stoker on a shunting locomotive, though he has told Dirk embellished stories of adventurous journeys around the world. He promises Dirk a chance to steer a locomotive and arranges a ride with Franz's help. At the mother's urging, he later admits the truth about both his stories and the ride.
A soldier whom Till tries to persuade to lead his men across a river. The men resist, objecting that they are not fish, and the available account does not reveal whether they cross. This brief episode places him among the forces Till is attempting to coordinate during the conflict.
Workers participating in the sporting event where Anni and Fritz reunite after both face unemployment and relationship strain.
Erwin Geschonneck has 62 screen credits in a career dating back to 1932. Signature works include The Cap Arcona Case, Like Father, Like Son, Levin's Mill. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
