In the south of Munich, on the edge of the Perlach Forest near the highest bank of the River Isar, lies pure film and television. Visitors of ‘Bavaria Filmstadt’ are really in the thick of it: between production halls and the massive stock of sets, costumes and scenery from films of years gone by. Two recent classics of German film are ‘Das Boot’ and ‘The Never Ending Story’.

The original submarine from ‘Das Boot’ remains one of the biggest attractions of the studios. There are so many anecdotes surrounding director Wolfgang Petersen’s film, which was nominated for six Oscars. One such tale is that the director supposedly locked his cast in the submarine for fourteen days at once (!) in order to film the scenes in as realistic a way as possible. In 1981, after the end of production, the prop was set to be scrapped. However, two resourceful co-workers came across the idea of opening the newly famous ‘U-Boat’ to the public, and so on 1st August 1981, the gates to ‘Bavaria Filmstadt’ were opened.

Falkor, the lucky dragon from ‘The Never Ending Story’, the masterpiece by Michael Ende, is a children’s favourite. In the same small hall are the sea-bass and the allergic, ancient tortoise, as well as other props which remind us of this wonderful film.

Visitors can also become film stars themselves on the Bavaria Film Tour: An amusing trailer is shot on the set of ‘(T)raumschiff Surprise’ (a parody of Star Trek), a successful movie by Michael ‘Bully’ Herbig. At the end of filming, the trailer can be purchased after a viewing in the Filmstadt-Shop.

Besides the submarines, fantasies, monoliths and comedy, Bavaria Filmstudios is also the location for the filming of well known series and soaps. ‘Marienhof’ inspires one million viewers and is shown every weekday at 6pm on ARD. Since 1993 it has been a fixture on the studio tour. The sets for crime series such as ‘Rosenheim-Cops’ and ‘Tatort’ are also particularly popular.

Sounds great, but what’s a film studio without a stunt show? From the end of March until the start of November, Mac Steinmeier’s stunt team entertain crowds with a spectacular 45 minute display. The brand new show developed as an indoor show at the Bavaria Stunt Centre. The theme and story relate to New York, where a desolate neighbourhood has been recreated to provide the background for daring stunts and amazing tricks. Pure adrenaline and action – an experience which gives you goose bumps and breathtaking interludes.

Last but not least, the 4D-Cinema, complete with IOSONO sound system, is a highlight of the studio tour. An astounding 436 speakers transform the cinema into an audio spectacle. Every visitor is thrown down a deserted tunnel in a wagon with hydraulically-moving seats and endures a descent into hell, ending safe and sound after fifteen minutes.

Bavaria Filmstadt is open every day except 25th and 26th December from 10th March until 4th November from 9am ‘til 4pm and in winter from 10am ‘til 3pm. Several tours are available every hour and of interest to foreign visitors, there is an English language tour at 1pm every day.

by Dietmar Stanka

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