Amazon MGM Studios has decided to dive fully into European cinema and has chosen Germany for its first major step. “Der Tiger” is its first German production that will premiere first on the big screen, not directly on streaming. It opens on September 18 in selected CineStar theaters and will arrive later on Prime Video. And no, it’s not your typical war movie. Set in the middle of World War II, it has a strong psychological approach that won’t leave anyone indifferent.
What is Der Tiger about?
The story takes place in 1943, on the Eastern Front, and follows the crew of a German Tiger tank on a secret mission that takes them beyond enemy lines. But what begins as a military operation ends up becoming an immersion into the minds of the protagonists, with the tension intensified by the use of methamphetamines (historically documented, by the way) that the Nazi army distributed to its troops. So more than a traditional war movie, this looks like a raw exploration of how morals and the human mind start to fall apart under extreme pressure.
A local production with global backing
The project has been carried out by Pantaleon Films along with Amazon MGM Studios Germany, with Frank Kusche and Dan Maag as producers. The script is by Dennis Gansel (the same one from The Wave) along with Colin Teevan, and the cast is led by David Schütter, Laurence Rupp, Leonard Kunz, Sebastian Urzendowsky and Yoran Leicher. The technical crew is also top-notch: Carlo Jelavic as director of photography and Anke Winckler in charge of costumes.
War cinema from the inside
No military epic or motivational speeches. “Der Tiger” focuses on the soldiers, their psychological breakdown, the orders they receive and everything that breaks inside when someone enters combat. The use of Pervitin, a methamphetamine that really was used among Nazi troops, adds a much more disturbing layer to the story. And that rawness is exactly what convinced Amazon that this story couldn’t go straight to the catalog. According to Philip Pratt, head of original German content at Amazon MGM Studios, from the very beginning it was clear that this film had to be seen in theaters.
A different way to premiere
Although Amazon had already released other films in German theaters, like The Accountant 2, this is the first time they’re doing it with a local production. And the goal is clear: to strengthen their presence in Europe and show that they can also tell culturally relevant stories outside the American framework. The fact that the project is directed by Dennis Gansel is no coincidence either. He has already shown with Napola and The Wave that he knows how to address complex historical topics without falling into sensationalism, right?
It’s not just a war movie
Gansel has expressed his excitement about the theatrical release. He says it’s a sign of Amazon’s commitment to quality cinema. And CineStar is also confident that the story will connect with audiences. Because yes, it’s a war film, but with a different perspective. It’s not about explosions or heroics. It’s about what’s going on inside, about what happens to soldiers in the middle of chaos.
And what does this mean for German cinema?
More than it seems. This collaboration between a streaming platform and the local film industry opens the door to new productions of this kind. And it makes one thing clear: cinema in theaters is not dead yet. When there’s a powerful story with strong drama, it still makes sense to sit and watch it on the big screen.
Der Tiger is not just another film for Amazon’s catalog. It’s a statement of intent. They want to show that they can make good films outside the US, with local teams, tackling tough topics and without giving up quality. Everything suggests it won’t be the last time we see something like this. And if this is the beginning… we’d better stay tuned. Get the popcorn ready!!