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Michael Ballhaus

Michael Ballhaus

Cinematographer, also actor, director, producer, editor and writer · Died April 11, 2017, aged 81 · Berlin, Germany

Oscar nominee · BAFTA Award nominee · 2 other major award bodies

Michael Ballhaus, A.S.C. (August 5, 1935 – April 12, 2017) was a German cinematographer who collaborated with directors such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, James L. Brooks, and Wolfgang Petersen. He was a member of both the Academy of Arts, Berlin, and the American Society of Cinematographers.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 5, 1935
Died
April 11, 2017 (aged 81)
From
Berlin, Germany
Works as
Cinematographer, also actor, director, producer, editor and writer
Titles
52 on MovieCove · 107 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 34% in 30 days

What are Michael Ballhaus' films like?

Across their 52 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama17 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile
: browse their Documentary movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 94th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 95th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
26%
Bonds
20%
Morality
20%
Power
12%
Society
8%
Survival
7%
Ideas
6%
Romantic love13 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition8 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass7 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 52 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 19 · Serious 10 · Dark 23

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 21 · Stylized 20 · Heightened 11

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 13 · Charged 22 · Intense 17

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 27 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 8

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 31 · Some laughs 15 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 26 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 7

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 17 · Engaged 29 · Full focus 6

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 19 · Affecting 16 · Heavy 17

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 32 · Open-ended 15 · Ambiguous 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
29
Melancholic
22
Contemplative
20
Warm
13
Romantic
12
Other
48

How their films linger

Thought-provoking21 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet31
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michael Ballhaus' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 52 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Ballhaus' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

107 credits, 52 with a MovieCove page; 36 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • 3096 Tage(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Remembrance(2011)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Rainer Werner Fassbinder's World on a Wire: Looking Ahead to Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Thanks · as Self

  • Max Raabe: Heute Nacht Oder Nie - Live in Berlin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • In Berlin(2009)

    Director · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Departed(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Something's Gotta Give(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Uptown Girls(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Gangs of New York(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Legend of Bagger Vance(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Gone Underground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • What Planet Are You From?(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Wild Wild West(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Thirteenth Floor(1999)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Primary Colors(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Boogie Nights(1997)

    as Cameraman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Air Force One(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Sleepers(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Outbreak(1995)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Quiz Show(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • I'll Do Anything(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Age of Innocence(1993)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Dracula(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Mambo Kings(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • What About Bob?(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Guilty by Suspicion(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Madonna: The Immaculate Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • Postcards from the Edge(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • GoodFellas(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Fabulous Baker Boys(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Working Girl(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dirty Rotten Scoundrels(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Last Temptation of Christ(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The House on Carroll Street(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Baja Oklahoma(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Broadcast News(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Glass Menagerie(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Color of Money(1986)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Under the Cherry Moon(1986)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • After Hours(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Death of a Salesman(1985)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Heartbreakers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Old Enough(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Magic Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · Cinematographer

  • The Autograph (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Reckless(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Edith's Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • Baby It's You(1983)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Sheer Madness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • Dear Mr. Wonderful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • Der Auslöser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • The Magic Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • Today We're Playing Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • Malou (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • Lili Marleen(1981)

    Additional Photography · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Looping (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • The Uprising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Cinematographer

  • Big and Little (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Cinematographer

  • Trilogie des Wiedersehens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Cinematographer

  • The Marriage of Maria Braun(1979)

    Cinematographer · as Counsel

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The First Polka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Cinematographer

  • Bourbon Street Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Cinematographer

  • Venedig - Die Insel der Glückseligen am Rande des Untergangs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Cinematographer

  • Spiel der Verlierer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Dr. Müller

  • Der Gehilfe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Cinematographer

  • Despair(1978)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Little Godard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Germany in Autumn(1978)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Stationmaster’s Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Women in New York (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Curd Jürgens - Der Filmstar, der vom Theater kam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Auf dem Chimborazo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Adolf and Marlene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Portrait of Valeska Gert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Cinematographer

  • Chinese Roulette(1976)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Die Alpensaga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

  • Satan's Brew(1976)

    Cinematographer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Dorothea Merz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • I Only Want You to Love Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • Sommergäste(1976)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Cold Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Cinematographer

  • Mother Kusters Goes to Heaven(1975)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Fox and His Friends(1975)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • From the Family of Reptiles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • The Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • Made in Germany and USA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer

  • Martha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Cinematographer · as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

  • The Sinful Bed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • World on a Wire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 2 episodes · Cinematographer

  • Chetan, Indian Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Cinematographer

  • The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant(1972)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Adele Spitzeder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Der Held (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Cinematographer

  • Beware of a Holy Whore(1971)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Whity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • Fassbinder Produces: Film No. 8 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer

  • Sand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • We Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Cinematographer

  • Der Kidnapper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • Your Caresses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • Several Times Daily (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Cinematographer

  • Gold für Montevasall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer

  • Abschied (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Cinematographer

  • Das Martyrium des Peter OHey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Cinematographer

  • Dreamland of Desire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • Die Kassette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • Lola Montès(1955)

    Still Photographer

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 106 titles from 1955 to 2013.

Biggest box office

Air Force One (1997)

$315M worldwide

Highest rated

GoodFellas (1990)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

The Departed (2006)

Film career

  • 1974Screen debut· Martha

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting6 of 106: 3 only acting, 3 with another roleDirecting3 of 106: 1 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting1 of 106: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 106: 1 only producing, 1 with another roleCinematography97 of 106: 93 only cinematography, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score77thEditing1 of 106: 0 only editing, 1 with another roleOther crew3 of 106: 3 only other crew, 0 with another role

106 titles, 5 with more than one role — cinematography and acting overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1950s1 · crew1960s8 · crew1970s40 · 5 acting · 38 crew1980s29 · crew1990s17 · 1 acting · 16 crew2000s9 · crew2010s2 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

Awards

2 major awards from 9 major nominations, 1986–2016.

WinNomination
  1. 2016
    • Berlinale award, won
  2. 2006
    • Berlinale award, won
  3. 2003
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Cinematography
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  4. 1994
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  5. 1991
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  6. 1990
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Cinematography
  7. 1988
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Cinematography
  8. 1986
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Cinematography

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Michael Ballhaus' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 79th percentile, the median of all 52; across their 52 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 76th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Approval · how many liked their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 52

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up30
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

35 of their 52 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser35
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · director, cinematographer

Under the Cherry Moon (1986)

77th percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

GoodFellas (1990)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 73/100 in their films, across 38 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 53. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Michael Ballhaus' work okay for kids?

Across up to 32 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films and violence & gore lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore25 titles8–92 · median 32 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity32 titles10–71 · median 43 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity27 titles33–77 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs25 titles17–60 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense24 titles9–85 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Michael Ballhaus work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Ballhaus' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Rainer Werner Fassbinder shares the most, 10.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles