---
name: "Thomas Kretschmann"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/thomas-kretschmann"
fi1m_id: "thomas-kretschmann"
imdb_id: "nm0470981"
tmdb_id: 3491
wikidata_id: "Q57614"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 September 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 15
average_fi1m_score: 66
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-07T19:03:50.392011+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."
---

# Thomas Kretschmann

## Identity

Thomas Kretschmann

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/thomas-kretschmann
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** thomas-kretschmann
- **IMDb ID:** nm0470981
- **TMDB ID:** 3491
- **Wikidata ID:** Q57614
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kretschmann, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57614, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0470981/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3491

Actor. Born 8 September 1962 in Dessau, German Democratic Republic [now Germany].

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 September 1962, Dessau, German Democratic Republic [now Germany]
- **Active:** 1992–present
- **Also known as:** 토마스 크레취만, توماس کرچمان
- **Frequently works with:** [Adrien Brody](https://film.one/person/adrien-brody.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 66, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 47 (1), 2000s 72 (6), 2010s 61 (3), 2020s 64 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 64 to 61 across 13 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 13 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Action 7, Adventure 5, War 5, Thriller 4, History 3
- **Screen time:** 30 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,237m across 12 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kretschmann, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57614, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0470981/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3491

## Coming up

- *Samo Lives* (2026-12-11)

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Pianist*](https://film.one/film/the-pianist.md) (87), [*The Sinking of the Laconia*](https://film.one/tv/the-sinking-of-the-laconia.md) (77), [*The Young Victoria*](https://film.one/film/the-young-victoria.md) (73)
- **Tubi:** [*Downfall*](https://film.one/film/downfall.md) (81), [*Infinity Pool*](https://film.one/film/infinity-pool.md) (63)
- **Disney+:** [*Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny.md) (58), [*Gran Turismo*](https://film.one/film/gran-turismo.md) (56)
- **Netflix:** [*King Kong*](https://film.one/film/king-kong-2005.md) (81)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Windermere Children*](https://film.one/film/the-windermere-children.md) (78)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Wanted*](https://film.one/film/wanted.md) (68)
- **Apple TV:** [*Jungle*](https://film.one/film/jungle.md) (44)
- **AMC+:** [*Resident Evil: Apocalypse*](https://film.one/film/resident-evil-apocalypse.md) (43)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Thomas Kretschmann

> At his best, Thomas Kretschmann gives military officers enough individuality to make us look beyond the uniform. We rate him more highly than the casting habits that keep returning him to underwritten German authority figures.

Thomas Kretschmann is often introduced in an officer’s uniform, with the audience already primed to distrust him. Casting him that way saves a film time, but can leave him little to do beyond confirming expectations. His breakthrough as Lieutenant Hans von Witzland in *Stalingrad* (1993) began an association with military roles that international work would keep reinforcing. We rate him when he is allowed to give these officers some individuality; the underwritten parts make poor use of what he can do.

*The Pianist* (2002), directed by Roman Polanski, gives him that opportunity as Captain Wilm Hosenfeld. He makes the officer feel like a particular man, which matters in a film so careful about the people subjected to violence. We found it painful to watch because Adrien Brody makes the physical effort of staying alive so apparent. Kretschmann’s contribution fits the restraint of the film without needing to compete with its lead performance. The early family dialogue is stiff, but this remains the strongest film among those of his we have reviewed.

The part brought international recognition, and Peter Jackson later cast him as Captain Englehorn in *King Kong* (2005), reuniting him with Brody. There were further German military roles, including Major Otto Ernst Remer in *Valkyrie* (2008), so the move into Hollywood did not free him from familiar casting. Kretschmann describes his approach as instinctive, choosing by the script and the character’s interest rather than by personal identification. We would like more of his parts to reward that curiosity.

The films from 2023 are less persuasive recommendations. His Colonel Weber appears in James Mangold’s *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023), where Harrison Ford’s weariness is more interesting than the succession of chases. *Gran Turismo* (2023), with Kretschmann as Patrice Capa, has racing with real weight but a formulaic underdog story. Brandon Cronenberg’s *Infinity Pool* (2023), in which he plays Thresh, repeats a promising premise until Mia Goth becomes the chief reason to stay. Start with *The Pianist*; a familiar supporting actor is not sufficient reason to sit through an indifferent film.

## Biography

Thomas Kretschmann is a German actor. He was born on 8 September 1962 in Dessau.

He is known for his performances as Captain Wilm Hosenfeld in *The Pianist* (2002), Captain Englehorn in *King Kong* (2005), Baron Wolfgang von Strucker in *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* (2014) and *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), and Professor Z in *Cars 2* (2011). In 2023 he appeared as Colonel Weber in *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*, Patrice Capa in *Gran Turismo*, and Thresh in *Infinity Pool*.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (15)

- *Gran Turismo* (2023), Fi1m 56, as Patrice Capa — [page](https://film.one/film/gran-turismo.md)
- *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023), Fi1m 58, as Colonel Weber — [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny.md)
- *Infinity Pool* (2023), Fi1m 63, as Thresh — [page](https://film.one/film/infinity-pool.md)
- *Greyhound* (2020), Fi1m 66, as Grey Wolf (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/greyhound.md)
- *The Windermere Children* (2020), Fi1m 78, as Oscar Friedmann — [page](https://film.one/film/the-windermere-children.md)
- *Jungle* (2017), Fi1m 44, as Karl — [page](https://film.one/film/jungle.md)
- *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), Fi1m 63, as Strucker — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md)
- *The Sinking of the Laconia* (2011), Fi1m 77, as Karl Dönitz — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sinking-of-the-laconia.md)
- *The Young Victoria* (2009), Fi1m 73, as King Leopold — [page](https://film.one/film/the-young-victoria.md)
- *Wanted* (2008), Fi1m 68, as Cross — [page](https://film.one/film/wanted.md)
- *King Kong* (2005), Fi1m 81, as Captain Englehorn — [page](https://film.one/film/king-kong-2005.md)
- *Downfall* (2004), Fi1m 81, as SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein — [page](https://film.one/film/downfall.md)
- *Resident Evil: Apocalypse* (2004), Fi1m 43, as Major Cain — [page](https://film.one/film/resident-evil-apocalypse.md)
- *The Pianist* (2002), Fi1m 87, as Captain Wilm Hosenfeld — [page](https://film.one/film/the-pianist.md)
- *Shining Through* (1992), Fi1m 47, as Mann in Zürich — [page](https://film.one/film/shining-through.md)

## Complete filmography (143)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Samo Lives* (2026), Actor
- *Los Vampires* (2026), as Kürt Orlov
- *Fall for Me* (2025), as Nick
- *Putin* (2025), as General
- *Upgraded* (2024), as Arnold Grant
- *American Star* (2024), as Thomas
- *Deliver Us* (2023), as Father Saul
- *Gran Turismo* (2023), as Patrice Capa — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/gran-turismo.md)
- *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* (2023), as Colonel Weber — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny.md)
- *Last Sentinel* (2023), as Hendrichs
- *Infinity Pool* (2023), as Thresh — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/infinity-pool.md)
- *American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally* (2021), as Joseph Goebbels
- *Greyhound* (2020), as Grey Wolf (voice) — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/greyhound.md)
- *Penny Dreadful: City of Angels* (2020), series, as Richard Goss
- *Waiting for Anya* (2020), as Korporal
- *The Windermere Children* (2020), as Oscar Friedmann — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-windermere-children.md)
- *Dragged Across Concrete* (2019), as Lorentz Vogelmann
- *Discarnate* (2019), as Dr. Andre Mason
- *Project Blue Book* (2019), series, as Wernher von Braun
- *Das Boot* (2018), series, as Friedrich Berger
- *Balloon* (2018), as Lieutenant Colonel Seidel
- *Lore* (2017), series, as Inspector Georg Reingruber
- *A Taxi Driver* (2017), as Jürgen Hinzpeter
- *The Saint* (2017), as Rayt Marius
- *Stratton* (2017), as Grigory Barovsky
- *Jungle* (2017), as Karl — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/film/jungle.md)
- *Four Against the Bank* (2016), Actor
- *Westworld* (2016), series, as Gerald — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/westworld-2016.md)
- *Central Intelligence* (2016), as The Buyer
- *Whiskey Tango Foxtrot* (2016), as Airplane Passenger
- *The Blue Mauritius* (2016), as Holtz
- *Hitman: Agent 47* (2015), as Le Clerq
- *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015), as Strucker — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-age-of-ultron.md)
- *United Passions* (2014), as Horst Dassler
- *Plastic* (2014), as Marcel
- *The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden* (2014), as Friedrich Ritter (voice)
- *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* (2014), as Baron Wolfgang von Strucker (uncredited) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-the-winter-soldier.md)
- *Dracula* (2013), series, as Abraham Van Helsing
- *Stalingrad* (2013), as Kapitan Kan
- *Open Grave* (2013), as Lukas
- *Dracula 3D* (2012), as Dracula
- *The River* (2012), series, as Kurt Brynildson
- *Hostel: Part III* (2011), as Flemming
- *What a Man* (2011), as Jens
- *Cars 2* (2011), as Professor Z (voice)
- *Jungle Child* (2011), as Vater Klaus Kuegler
- *The Big Bang* (2011), as Frizer
- *The Cape* (2011), series, as Gregor Molotov
- *The Sinking of the Laconia* (2011), series, as Karl Dönitz — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sinking-of-the-laconia.md)
- *Die Grenze* (2010), as Maximilian Schnell
- *Rabbit Without Ears 2* (2009), as Thomas Kretschmann
- *Romy* (2009), as Harry Meyen
- *FlashForward* (2009), series, as Stefan Krieger
- *Separation City* (2009), as Klaus Becker
- *The Young Victoria* (2009), as King Leopold — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-young-victoria.md)
- *Valkyrie* (2008), as Otto Ernst Remer
- *Mogadischu* (2008), as Captain Jürgen Schumann
- *Der Seewolf* (2008), series, as Wolf Larssen
- *Wanted* (2008), as Cross — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/wanted.md)
- *In Tranzit* (2008), as Max
- *TransSiberian* (2008), as Myassa
- *Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps* (2007), as Paul
- *Bionic Woman* (2007), series, as The Man
- *Eichmann* (2007), as Adolf Eichmann
- *Next* (2007), as Mr. Smith
- *Wild Chicks in Love* (2007), as Herr Slättberg
- *Grimm Love* (2006), as Oliver Hartwin
- *The Karate Dog* (2006), as Gerber
- *The Celestine Prophecy* (2006), as Wil
- *Immortal* (2006), as Alexander Nikopol
- *Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II* (2006), as Pope John Paul II
- *King Kong* (2005), as Captain Englehorn — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/king-kong-2005.md)
- *Snowland* (2005), as Aron
- *Frankenstein* (2004), as Victor Helios
- *Downfall* (2004), as SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/downfall.md)
- *Resident Evil: Apocalypse* (2004), as Major Cain — Fi1m 43, [page](https://film.one/film/resident-evil-apocalypse.md)
- *Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2* (2004), as Roscoe
- *Head in the Clouds* (2004), as Major Thomas Bietrich
- *Immortal* (2004), as Nikopol
- *In Enemy Hands* (2004), as Ludwig Cremer
- *My Father* (2003), as Hermann M.
- *Der Solist - Kuriertag* (2003), as Philip Lanart
- *The Pianist* (2002), as Captain Wilm Hosenfeld — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/the-pianist.md)
- *Der Solist - In eigener Sache* (2002), as Philip Lanart
- *Blade II* (2002), as Damaskinos
- *24* (2001), series, as Max — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *Knights of the Quest* (2001), as Vanni delle Rondini
- *Ein tödliches Wochenende* (2001), as Christian
- *Der Solist - Niemandsland* (2001), as Philip Lanart
- *Hostile Takeover* (2001), as Robert Fernau
- *U-571* (2000), as Capt. Lt. Gunther Wassner
- *Poison* (2000), as Johnny Krieger
- *Green Sails* (2000), as Robert Fowler
- *Miss Diamond* (1999), as Tim
- *Der Solist – Kein Weg zurück* (1999), as Philip Lanart
- *Relic Hunter* (1999), series, as Kurt Reiner
- *Esther* (1999), as König Xerxes
- *Der Tod in deinen Augen* (1999), as Billy Tanauer
- *Total Recall 2070* (1999), series, Actor
- *V.I.P.* (1998), series, as The Owl
- *Killer Couple* (1998), as Domenico
- *Girl's Trap – Death Comes Online* (1998), as Magnus Sieber
- *The Princess and the Pauper* (1997), as Migal
- *La principessa e il povero* (1997), series, as Migal
- *Prince Valiant* (1997), as Thagnar
- *Rack Up* (1997), as Cristopher
- *Total Reality* (1997), as Commander Tunis
- *Unter die Haut* (1997), as Santos
- *La dernière fête* (1996), as Joseph
- *Marching in Darkness* (1996), as Gianni Tricarico
- *Alarm for Cobra 11: The Motorway Police* (1996), series, as Robert Michalke
- *The Stendhal Syndrome* (1996), as Alfredo Grossi
- *Wir zusammen allein mit dir* (1995), as Wolf Jensen
- *I Love My Daughter's Husband* (1995), as Michael
- *Women* (1995), as Franck
- *Burning Heart* (1995), as Junger Gustav Regler
- *Anna: Under the Spell of Evil* (1995), as Stephan Richter
- *Nachtbus* (1995), Actor
- *Tödliche Besessenheit* (1994), as Sebastian Goebel
- *Affären* (1994), Actor
- *Queen Margot* (1994), as Nançay
- *Jenseits der Brandung* (1994), as Paul Augustin
- *Die Ratte* (1993), as Sven
- *Stalingrad* (1993), as Lieutenant Hans von Witzland
- *Engel ohne Flügel* (1993), as Achim Possart
- *The Warrior's Heart* (1992), as Lt. Maximillian Lüdt
- *Shining Through* (1992), as Mann in Zürich — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/shining-through.md)
- *Rothenbaumchaussee* (1991), as o.A.
- *Radiofieber* (1989), series, Actor
- *Molle mit Korn* (1989), series, as Heringsbändiger
- *Der Mitwisser* (1989), as Paul
- *Die Männer vom K3* (1988), series, as Dieter Koller
- *Hals über Kopf* (1987), series, as Bankräuber
- *Praxis Bülowbogen* (1987), series, Actor
- *Westler: East of the Wall* (1985), as Soldat
- *Das Traumschiff* (1981), series, as Niko Waldkron
- *The Old Fox* (1977), series, as Karsten Winterberg
- *Derrick* (1974), series, as Eberhard Kraus, Roland Ortner
- *The Prominents*, as Bogislow Von Bonin
- *The Stalking Moon*, as Aurick Fenstermacher
- *Eyes in the Trees*, Actor
- *Tacheles*, Actor
- *Wagner In Venice*, as Richard Wagner

## Gallery

- ![Dario Argento at the screening of "Dracula 3D" at the Cannes film festival. In the background : Asia Argento and Thomas Kretschmann. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-20601911b9d0.jpg) Dario Argento at the screening of "Dracula 3D" at the Cannes film festival. In the background : Asia Argento and Thomas Kretschmann. (2012) — Olivier06400, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Argento_2012.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![German actor Thomas Kretschmann with Brittany Rice, Opening of the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-8450373f0f64.jpg) German actor Thomas Kretschmann with Brittany Rice, Opening of the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. (2012) — Siebbi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Thomas_Kretschmann_%28Berlinale_2012%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Thomas Kretschmann](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-b4e400e47c15.jpg) Thomas Kretschmann — OmTe5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Thomas_Kretschmann_in_March_2012.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Pressekonferenz zum Film Transsiberian in Berlin auf der Berlinale. v. l. n. r. Thomas Kretschmann, Brad Anderson, Eduardo Noriega, Ben Kingsley, Julio Fernánde (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-8ffd01f798ad.jpg) Pressekonferenz zum Film Transsiberian in Berlin auf der Berlinale. v. l. n. r. Thomas Kretschmann, Brad Anderson, Eduardo Noriega, Ben Kingsley, Julio Fernánde (2008) — Franz Richter (User:FRZ), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Transsiberian-Pressekonferenz_0974.jpg/1280px-Transsiberian-Pressekonferenz_0974.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Thomas Kretschmann](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-b03728cb8e1b.jpg) Thomas Kretschmann — Image via TMDB
- ![Thomas Kretschmann](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-eca3c34a2997.jpg) Thomas Kretschmann — Image via TMDB
- ![Thomas Kretschmann](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-59b531bb9105.jpg) Thomas Kretschmann — Image via TMDB
- ![Thomas Kretschmann](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-aec35a8335e7.jpg) Thomas Kretschmann — Image via TMDB
- ![Thomas Kretschmann](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-4fba6f15ac42.jpg) Thomas Kretschmann — Image via TMDB
- ![Thomas Kretschmann](https://film.one/media/person/16116/gallery-561652aff971.jpg) Thomas Kretschmann — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 2 won, 1 nominated

- Osgar 2006: Osgar (won)
- Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award 2006: Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award (won), for *Grimm Love*
- Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actor 2004: Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actor (nominated), for *Immortal*

*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/thomas-kretschmann