Joachim Hansen(1930-2007)

Joachim Hansen was the 'poster boy' for German movie officers in films of the 1950's and 60's. Masculine and of commanding presence, he portrayed such historical figures as Luftwaffe ace Hans Joachim Marseille in Der Stern von Afrika (1957) and Generaloberst Alfred Jodl in Le souffle de la guerre (1983) and Les orages de la guerre (1988). His many international credits as men in uniform include Captain Baumann in Le pont de Remagen (1969), a British lieutenant caught up in a sectarian uprising in India in Kali-Yug, déesse de la vengeance (1963) and a senior SS officer in L'aigle s'est envolé (1976).

A teacher's son, Hansen began his working career as an English and French translator. He studied acting at the Max Reinhardt Academy in Berlin and was spotted there by the director Alfred Weidenmann who starred him in his 1956 film debut. Thereafter, he rarely found himself out of uniform, but remained firmly in command just the same, as police inspectors (Le secret des valises noires (1962)), men of impeccable integrity (Via Mala (1961)) or outdoorsy heroes in romantic melodramas (Les géants de la forêt (1959)). Hansen segued into character roles on the small screen during the 1970's and 80's. He emigrated to Canada in 1986, but returned to Germany for occasional theatrical appearances. He died in Berlin after suffering a stroke in September 2007, aged 77.