Sabine Hake presents the second edition of her comprehensive account of German cinema from its origins to the present. From The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to Run Lola Run, Hake examines a range of films in relation to the social, political, economic and technological events surrounding them.

The second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to include: an expansion of the final chapter on Post-unification cinema; references to recent film releases (through 2006) such as Downfall, Goodbye Lenin, and The Edukators; Analysis of German-Turkish cinema, gay and lesbian cinema, new documentary styles (Berlin School), and the question of postnational or transnational cinema.

Covering a wide range of genres, Hake assesses the work of directors and stars alike, exploring the competing definitions of German cinema as art cinema, quality entertainment, political propaganda and rival of Hollywood.