--- name: "Otto Sander" canonical: "https://film.one/person/otto-sander" fi1m_id: "otto-sander" imdb_id: "nm0761420" tmdb_id: 2311 wikidata_id: "Q68468" roles: ["Actor"] born: "30 June 1941" died: "12 September 2013" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_fi1m_score: 85 average_as: "actor" average_over: 4 updated: "2026-10-07T10:49:11.127528+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Otto Sander ## Identity Otto Sander - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/otto-sander - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** otto-sander - **IMDb ID:** nm0761420 - **TMDB ID:** 2311 - **Wikidata ID:** Q68468 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Sander, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68468, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0761420/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2311 Actor. Born 30 June 1941 in Hanover, Germany. Died 12 September 2013. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 30 June 1941, Hanover, Germany - **Died:** 12 September 2013 - **Active:** 1979–1987 - **Berlin International Film Festival:** 2 Berlin prizes (2 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 85, as actor, over 4 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 78 (1), 1980s 87 (3) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 85 to 78 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, History 2, War 2, Fantasy 1, Romance 1, War & Politics 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $106m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Sander, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68468, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0761420/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2311 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Wings of Desire*](https://film.one/film/wings-of-desire.md) (88) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Otto Sander > Otto Sander’s warm baritone and melancholy presence made him a distinctive supporting actor. We recommend his Cassiel in *Wings of Desire*, while recognising that the films give only a partial account of his gifts for physical comedy. In *Wings of Desire* (1987), Otto Sander’s Cassiel watches the people of divided Berlin alongside Bruno Ganz. Sander was often cast as men marked by melancholy or disillusionment, and Wim Wenders gives that familiar sadness a good home. We value him as a supporting actor, while recognising that these disappointed figures tell only part of the story. His film work developed alongside the theatre in the mid-1970s, with Rohmer’s *The Marquise of O* (1976) and Schlöndorff’s *The Tin Drum* (1979). In the latter, he plays the trumpeter Meyn. *Das Boot* (1981), with Sander as U-boat officer Phillip Thomsen, brought international attention. The literary and historical supporting parts suited his gift for disillusioned figures. They also help explain why the screen offers a narrower impression of him than the work with Peter Stein’s Schaubühne ensemble. *Wings of Desire* remains our recommendation, with a caveat about its pacing. Bruno Ganz and cinematographer Henri Alekan’s roaming camera keep the film welcoming, even when its dialogue grows solemn. We were moved by the angels’ attention to ordinary lives, because Wenders makes those people worth the time spent watching them. The romance slows things down, and there are passages where the solemnity becomes wearing. These are reasons to approach the film with patience, not to pass it over. The theatre gives a useful corrective: at the Schaubühne, his work in Botho Strauss productions, including *Kalldewey Farce*, drew on serious comedy and precise physical business. The cinema rarely gave those abilities comparable room. His warm baritone had another substantial life in documentary narration, audiobooks and dubbing, work that a list of film parts cannot convey. That makes the familiar melancholy casting seem both understandable and rather restrictive. Start with Cassiel, then try *Das Boot*; do not expect either to explain why he was valued for slapstick. ## Biography Otto Sander was a German film, theatre and voice actor. Born on 30 June 1941 in Hanover, he died on 12 September 2013 in Berlin. His stage career was closely linked to the Schaubühne in Berlin under Peter Stein. He appeared in several Berlin theatres, including the Schillertheater and the Komödie am Kurfürstendamm, and later at the Schauspielhaus Bochum. In 1990 he served on the jury of the Berlin International Film Festival. Sander is known for playing the angel Cassiel in Wim Wenders’s *Wings of Desire* (1987) and its sequel *Faraway, So Close!* (1993), and as Kapitänleutnant Philipp Thomsen in Wolfgang Petersen’s *Das Boot* (1981). Other film roles include appearances in *The Tin Drum* (1979) and *Comedian Harmonists* (1997). He was married to actress Monika Hansen and was stepfather to actors Ben Becker and Meret Becker. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, bbc.co.uk.* ## On Fi1m (4) - *Wings of Desire* (1987), Fi1m 88, as Cassiel — [page](https://film.one/film/wings-of-desire.md) - *Das Boot* (1985), Fi1m 84, as Kapitänleutnant Philipp — [page](https://film.one/tv/das-boot-1985.md) - *Das Boot* (1981), Fi1m 89, as Phillip Thomsen — [page](https://film.one/film/das-boot.md) - *The Tin Drum* (1979), Fi1m 78, as Meyn — [page](https://film.one/film/the-tin-drum.md) ## Complete filmography (105) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *About Narration* (2025), Actor - *Fly Away* (2012), as Eckehardt Tiedgen - *Die Schuld der Erben* (2012), as Leonhard Asmussen - *Life Is Too Long* (2010), Actor - *Krabat* (2008), as Narrator (voice) - *The Heart Is a Dark Forest* (2007), as Helmut - *Little King Macius* (2007), as Erasmus (voice) - *Unter kaiserlicher Flagge* (2006), series, as Erzähler / Narrator - *Vienna Crime Squad* (2005), series, as Conrad Ribarski - *Kaluoka'hina: The Enchanted Reef* (2004), as Narrator (voice) - *Aus Liebe zu Deutschland - Eine Spendenaffäre* (2003), as Voice - *The Danube* (2003), as Franz - *Werner - Gekotzt wird später!* (2003), as Erzähler (voice) - *Tödliches Vertrauen* (2002), as Bernd Kortens - *Atlantic Affairs* (2002), as Maitre de Plaisir on Stage - *Das Jahrhundert des Theaters* (2002), series, as Narrator - *100 Pro* (2001), as Narrator - *Sass* (2001), as Vater Sass - *Les Misérables* (2000), series, as Monseigneur Bienvenu - *The Einstein of Sex: Life and Work of Dr. M. Hirschfeld* (2000), as Professor Steinach - *Marlene* (2000), as Bühnenmanager - *E-m@il an Gott* (1999), as Petrus - *Majestät brauchen Sonne* (1999), as Kaiser Wilhelm II (voice) - *Girls under investigation* (1999), as Staatsanwalt Baldur Meixner - *Männer sind wie Schokolade* (1999), as Vater Lano - *Der Kuß des Vergessens* (1999), as Herr Jelke - *The Shop* (1998), series, Actor - *Stan Becker - Auf eigene Faust* (1998), as Walker - *Am I Beautiful?* (1998), as David - *The Harmonists* (1997), Actor - *Conversation with the Beast* (1997), as Adolf Hitler Double - *Liebe Lügen* (1997), as Vater - *Friedemann Brix - Eine Schwäche für Mord* (1996), series, as Rainer Kleinhundert - *The Killer Condom* (1996), as Mr. Higgins - *Lumière & Company* (1995), as Cassiel (segment "Wim Wenders") - *Matulla und Busch* (1995), as Korte - *Nikolaikirche* (1995), as kirchlicher Superintendent - *The Promise* (1995), as Professor Lorenz - *Bauernschach* (1995), as Dr. Gerold Stadler - *A.S. Gefahr ist sein Geschäft* (1995), series, as Freddy Klinke - *Das Loch* (1995), as Der Mann - *The White Horse Inn in St. Wolfgang* (1994), as Prof. Hinzelmann - *Hölderlin-Comics* (1994), Actor - *Movie Days* (1994), as Maður á hesti - *Three Sisters* (1994), as Vershinin - *The Film Narrator* (1993), as Salzmann - *The Olympic Summer* (1993), as Sprecher - *Faraway, So Close!* (1993), as Cassiel - *Inge, April und Mai* (1993), Actor - *Schlusschor* (1993), Actor - *Wolffs Revier* (1992), series, as Schenk - *Lyrische Suite. Das untergehende Vaterland* (1992), Actor - *Bescheiß kein Kind!* (1992), as Vater - *Werner and the Wizard of Booze* (1990), as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) - *Time of Vengeance* (1990), as Robert - *Vorwärts* (1990), Actor - *The Break* (1989), as Erwin Lubowitz - *Wie du mir..* (1989), as Markus Petarka - *The Case of Mr. Spalt* (1988), as Otto Spalt - *Wings of Desire* (1987), as Cassiel — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/wings-of-desire.md) - *Close Up* (1987), as Professor Spalt - *Boundaries of Time - Caspar David Friedrich* (1986), as Gerichtsgehilfe - *Drei Schwestern* (1986), as Alexander Ignatjewitsch Werschinin - *Miko: From the Gutter to the Stars* (1986), as Loan officer Grop - *Wahnfried* (1986), as Richard Wagner - *Rosa Luxemburg* (1986), as Karl Liebknecht - *Eine Reise wert… Der Dichter Günter Kunert (be)sucht Berlin* (1986), as Rezitation - *Das Boot* (1985), series, as Kapitänleutnant Philipp — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/das-boot-1985.md) - *Der Fahnder* (1984), series, as Bähr - *Der Mord mit der Schere* (1984), as Inspector Spalt - *A Love in Germany* (1983), as Narrator - *Remembrance: Film for Curt Bois* (1982), Director - *Der Mann im Pyjama* (1981), as Rudi - *Das Traumschiff* (1981), series, as James Korthals, Johannes Lippelt - *Who's Going Crazy Here, Doctor?* (1981), as Nummer Sieben - *Das Boot* (1981), as Phillip Thomsen — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/das-boot.md) - *Strike Back* (1981), as Kowalski - *Gesucht wird... Drei Geschichten um nicht ganz ehrenwerte Herren* (1981), Actor - *Im Schlaraffenland. Ein Roman unter feinen Leuten* (1981), as Kalfisch - *Die Ursache* (1980), Actor - *Der Mond scheint auf Kylenamoe* (1980), Actor - *Palermo or Wolfsburg* (1980), as Staatsanwalt - *The Tin Drum* (1979), as Meyn — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-tin-drum.md) - *Trilogie des Wiedersehens* (1979), as Richard - *Phantom* (1979), Actor - *Plastikfieber* (1979), as Wilfried - *Die Ängste des Dr. Schenk* (1978), Actor - *Heinrich Zille* (1977), Actor - *Four Against the Bank* (1976), as Eberhard Winter - *The Marquise of O* (1976), as Brother, Forstmeister - *Summer Guests* (1976), as Pjotr Suslov - *Lehmanns Erzählungen* (1975), as Lehmann - *Meine Sorgen möcht' ich haben* (1975), as Harald Bornemann - *Die Bakchen* (1974), as Tiresias - *One or the Other of Us* (1974), as Rulle Ruhlsdorff - *Ermittlungen gegen Unbekannt* (1974), Actor - *Prinz Friedrich von Homburg* (1973), as Obrist Kottwitz - *The Ignoramus and the Madman* (1972), Actor - *Polizeiruf 110* (1971), series, as Ludwig Stolze, Lansky, Richard Lansky - *Die Mutter* (1971), Actor - *Sonntags am Meer* (1970), as Fritzchen - *Scene of the Crime* (1970), series, as Manfred Enders, Otto Androsch - *No Pawing, Darling* (1970), Actor - *Sonnabend, der 1.* (1970), Actor - *Ludwig* (1964), as Ludwig ## Gallery - ![Otto Sander](https://film.one/media/person/119029/gallery-53dadc4973e0.jpg) Otto Sander — Siebbi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Otto_Sander_Berlinale_2008.jpg/1280px-Otto_Sander_Berlinale_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Das Grab des deutschen Schauspielers Otto Sander auf dem Dorotheenstädtischen Friedhof in Berlin. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/119029/gallery-af56074a83ff.jpg) Das Grab des deutschen Schauspielers Otto Sander auf dem Dorotheenstädtischen Friedhof in Berlin. (2019) — Harvey Kneeslapper, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Grab_Otto_Sander.jpg/1280px-Grab_Otto_Sander.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Maren Courage mit Otto Sander bei der Premierenfeier zu den Salzburger Festspielen, Abend der Premiere der Aufführung „Jedermann“ am So. 23. Juli 2000, darin sp](https://film.one/media/person/119029/gallery-5d7783c59759.jpg) Maren Courage mit Otto Sander bei der Premierenfeier zu den Salzburger Festspielen, Abend der Premiere der Aufführung „Jedermann“ am So. 23. Juli 2000, darin sp — Lilian K., CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Maren_Courage_and_Otto_Sander.jpg/1280px-Maren_Courage_and_Otto_Sander.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Otto Sander, 2004, Weimar](https://film.one/media/person/119029/gallery-3f3d7201b6c8.jpg) Otto Sander, 2004, Weimar — Grenzlandstern, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Otto_Sander.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Otto Sander (1980) in der Rolle des ottO treberT (Episode "Rückwärts" im Film "Zum Beispiel Otto Spalt" von René Perraudin (2020)](https://film.one/media/person/119029/gallery-4c093eec5232.jpg) Otto Sander (1980) in der Rolle des ottO treberT (Episode "Rückwärts" im Film "Zum Beispiel Otto Spalt" von René Perraudin (2020) — 24bps, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Otto_Sander_%281980%29%2C_Foto_von_Ren%C3%A9_Perraudin.jpg/1280px-Otto_Sander_%281980%29%2C_Foto_von_Ren%C3%A9_Perraudin.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Berlin International Film Festival — 2 won - 2008: Berlinale Camera (won) - 1998: Berliner Bär (won) ### Other awards — 4 won - German Actor Award 1989: German Actor Award (won) - Ernst Lubitsch award 1982: Ernst Lubitsch award (won) - German Actor Award 1980: German Actor Award (won) - German Critics' Prize for Theatre 1979: German Critics' Prize for Theatre (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/otto-sander