German film is diverse and multifaceted its history includes five distinct German governments Wilhelmine Germany the Weimar Republic the Third Reich the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic two national industries Germany and Austria and a myriad of styles and production methods. Paradoxically the political disruptions that have produced these distinct film eras as well as the natural inclination of artists to rebel and create new styles allow for the construction of a narrative of German film. While the disjuncture generates distinct points of separation it also highlights continuities between the ruptures.Outlining the richness of German film The A to Z of German Cinema covers mainstream alternative and experimental film from 1895 to the present through a chronology introductory essay appendix of the 100 most significant German films a bibliography and hundreds of crossreferenced dictionary entries on directors actors films cinematographers composers producers and major historical events that greatly affected the direction and development of German cinema. The books broad canvas will lead students and scholars of cinema to appreciate the complex nature of German film.