Wolfgang Petersen
Film director · 3 films (1981–2004)
Wolfgang Petersen is a director whose work here spans Das Boot (1981) to Troy (2004), across drama and history. 2 of those films were photographed by Jost Vacano. All 247 frames from 3 films are indexed here, searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, colour and mood.
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.
Born 14 March 1941 · Emden, Germany · died 12 August 2022
Directing style
Petersen constructs high-stakes narratives using a grounded, eye-level camera perspective that relies heavily on shallow depth of field to isolate characters in medium shots and closeups. His lighting schemes favor naturalistic and motivated sources, contrasting the harsh glare of the sun in exterior locations with the intimate glow of firelight and practical lamps during night scenes. The color palette shifts between warm, earth-toned browns and deep, cool blues, reinforcing a visual atmosphere that balances expansive, historic scale with tense, claustrophobic isolation.
Awards
- Bavarian Order of Merit · 2003
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany · 1987
- Goldene Kamera · 2007
- Bambi Award · 1997
- Goldener Gong · 1985
- Goldene Leinwand · 1984
- Goldene Leinwand · 1982
- Bavarian Film Awards (Best Director) · 1981
- Grimme-Preis · 1978
- German Critics' Prize · 1978
- German Film Award · 1974
- Prix Italia · 1973
Films directed by Wolfgang Petersen
About Wolfgang Petersen
When was Wolfgang Petersen born?
Wolfgang Petersen was born on 14 March 1941 in Emden, Germany and died on 12 August 2022.
What films has Wolfgang Petersen directed?
FrameThrower holds stills from 3 of them: Das Boot (1981), The NeverEnding Story (1984) and Troy (2004).
What awards has Wolfgang Petersen won?
Bavarian Order of Merit (2003), Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1987), Goldene Kamera (2007) and Bambi Award (1997).
Search every frame of Wolfgang Petersen’s films
All 247 indexed frames from 3 films directed by Wolfgang Petersen — searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, mood or plain language.