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This epic documentary/drama about arguably the greatest German author of the 20th century is really fascinating. Watching Elisabeth Mann-Borgese return to the places of her childhood is quite a moving experience and you feel the wisdom and the experience this old lady can share with the world. And it is a great gift for all of us that she did so shortly before her death. What a great family story this is! Everybody does a tremendous job in acting their roles (well, apart from Veronica Ferres' Nelly Kröger, whom I don't hold as such a good actress; especially her faked Northern German accent didn't convince me), and I fear I'll have difficulties not seeing the face of Armin Mueller-Stahl before me whenever I'll think of Thomas Mann in the future. This mixture of historical movie and documentary is just about perfect and may establish a new genre.

It's a real shame for an Emmy winning production that the lavish German DVD box does not have English subtitles. But for anyone interested in the story of the Mann family this is a must. The casting is sublime down to bit parts (Katharina Thalbach as Therese Giehse and the very tasty Torben Liebrecht as Klaus's lover Tomski are impressive) we see the best actors German film has to offer with Sebastian Koch (Klaus Mann) and Sophie Rois (Erika Mann) standing out. A little letdown is that Armin Mueller-Stahl is very subdued and passive, mumbling his words whereas Thomas Mann was a mercurial, often aggressive person with a very expressive way of talking. But lookwise he's got it and he has his magic moments. As his wife Katia Monica Bleibtreu does a great job, but is denied the esprit Katia had. She is only shown as a dedicated wife but she influenced Mann's work a great deal with her wicked wit and observation. But these flaws aside the mixture of movie and documentary scenes is mesmerizing. Elisabeth Mann, Thomas's last surviving child at the time of filming is a gift as a chaperone through the complex story of her family's life. Heinrich Breloer really was lucky to catch all the people interviewed as by now most of them have gone, the vivacious Klaus Pringsheim jr, Thomas' devoted secretary Hilde Kahn among others. Sadly Elisabeth has died by now also. The sensitive way Breloer digs deep when they both visit places of the Mann story (Klaus's grave!) without being intrusive and her long moments of silence and then again her hearty giggle about her family's ways when you don't expect it are great moments. The documentary "Unterwegs zur Familie Mann" which features more prolonged interviews with all involved but also short glimpses of the movie is more than complementary, you should even watch it first. Again, a shame that this DVD was not made for international viewing.

I like so much the TV-movie "Die Manns - Ein Jahrhundertroman"! As Marianne Krull wrote in her beautiful book "Im Netz der Zauberer" (I think in English it is "In the Net of the Magicians"), I'm intrigued by Family Mann's world since I was a teenager. First of all, by Erika and Klaus, but also by the double soul of Thomas, the literary talent (Heinrich, Thomas, Klaus and Erika wrote such beautiful intense books!) and the problematic lives of the entire family, in a so dramatic age!

Also by the frustration of the younger Manns: Golo, Monika, Elisabeth and Michael, who worked hard to find their own way, with their passion for music and arts. Heinrich and his strange love for self-destructive women. And the sweet, mysterious Katia, a real angel who supported her husband career. This movie shows all that with good, convincing actors. It's good the director has inserted real interviews and photos between the fiction.

In the end: the real Erika (9 November 1905) was almost exactly one year elder than Klaus (18 November 1906), they had the same zodiacal sign and were called "the twins", (many friends thought that they were really twins). Well, Sophie Rois was born 1 June 1961 - Sebastian Koch 31 May 1962!!! What a coincidence!!!

No question, I highly recommend that somebody is taking this movie and make it available to more viewers than those that speak German. It was originally broadcasted on TV and later became available as a 3-disc DVD Set. I cannot comment on the authenticity of that picture but it is highly interesting and gives a great inside view of the life of the MANNs and the life what it has been in Germany before, while and after WWII in an academic environment. We have totally enjoyed the 3 DVDs and could hardly wait for the next DVD to watch. A picture that probably would have gotten plenty of Oscars if ever been presented to an American public - tells you a lot about how these pictures get selected.....

I am unbale to track down this series with Hungarians or English audio. Can you help me please?