Skip to content
Motif
Helmut Berger

Helmut Berger

Actor · Died May 18, 2023, aged 78 · Bad Ischl, Austria

Helmut Berger (born Helmut Steinberger, 29 May 1944 - 18 May 2023) was an Austrian-born German film and television actor. He was most famous for his work with Luchino Visconti, particularly in his performance as King Ludwig II of Bavaria in Ludwig, for which he received a special David di Donatello award. He appeared primarily in European cinema, but also acted in films such as The Godfather Part III and Iron Cross. Description above from the Wikipedia article Helmut Berger, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 29, 1944
Died
May 18, 2023 (aged 78)
From
Bad Ischl, Austria
Works as
Actor
Titles
21 on Motif · 69 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 39 days to Oct 28Down 26% in 30 days

What are Helmut Berger's films like?

Across their 18 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Power.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Motif score: 86th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Motif score: 40th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Motif score: 49th percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Motif score: 44th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Motif score: 38th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif 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
22%
Power
18%
Morality
17%
Bonds
14%
Survival
13%
Society
11%
Ideas
4%
Identity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 1 · Serious 6 · Dark 11

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

Grounded 4 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 9 · Intense 8

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 5 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 3

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 2 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 10

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 12 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 6 of 14 analyzed roles.

Shadow
6 of 14
Shapeshifter
3 of 14
Hero
2 of 14
Threshold guardian
2 of 14
Mentor
1 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Melancholic
8
Dread
6
Contemplative
3
Romantic
3
Other
12

How their films linger

Haunting10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic7
  • Ambiguous4

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 Helmut Berger's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 21 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Helmut Berger's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif 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

69 credits, 21 with a Motif page; 23 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Portae Infernales (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    as Professor Schneider

  • Liberté(2019)

    as Duke of Walchen

    Motif score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Fascism on a Thread- The Strange Story of Nazisploitation Cinema(2019)

    as (archive footage)

    Motif score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Timeless (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    as Professor Martin

  • Fifty Shades of Erotica (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as (archive footage)

  • Saint Laurent(2014)

    as Yves Saint Laurent in 1989

    Motif score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Violinist(2013)

    as Lord Burghersh

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Murder Sisters (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    as Dr. Schleier

  • Iron Cross (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Shrager / Vogler

  • Initiation (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Gustav Tritzinsky

  • Zapping-Alien@Mozart-Balls (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Jack

  • Honey Baby (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    as Karl / Hades

  • Best of Harald Schmidt - Respektlos und Rezeptfrei (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • The Kiss (Let's Play Dynasty!) (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Alexis Carrington

  • Under the Palms (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as David

  • Jackie Brown(1997)

    Thanks

    Motif score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Last Cut (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Gabo Rey

  • Teo (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Signor Mastrovito

  • The Shadow of the Pharaoh (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • L'Affaire Dreyfus (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    as Schwartzkoppen

  • Das Sahara-Projekt (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Eurotrash (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ludwig 1881 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Ludwig II

  • Boomtown (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Richard Schwarzer

  • Adelaide (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Gilas

  • Le Chinois : Un grand flic de Marseille (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 8 episodes · as Michael Bogner

  • The Godfather Part III(1990)

    as Frederick Keinszig

    Motif score: 91st percentile of all films

  • I promessi sposi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Egidio

  • I promessi sposi (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 5 episodes · as Egidio

  • Act of Revenge (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Dr. Carlo Martora

  • Faceless(1988)

    as Dr. Frank Flamand

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Skipper (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    as Hans

  • Code Name: Emerald(1985)

    as Ernst Ritter

    Motif score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Victòria! 3: El seny i la rauxa (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    as Tinent Rodríguez Haro

  • Victòria! 2: La disbauxa del 17 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Tinent Rodríguez Haro

  • Victòria! La gran aventura d'un poble (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Tinent Rodríguez Haro

  • Great Transport (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Pukovnik Glassendorf

  • Femmes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Helmut

  • Deadly Game (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Boris

  • Le rose di Danzica (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · as Il barone Erich Von Lehner

  • Dynasty (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 9 episodes · as Peter De Vilbis

  • Ludwig (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 5 episodes · as Ludwig

  • Mia moglie è una strega(1980)

    as Asmodeo

    Motif score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Fantômas (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 4 episodes · as Fantomas

  • Fatal Fix (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1980)

    as Marco

  • Le rose di Danzica (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    as Baron Erich von Lehner

  • Das Dorf an der Grenze (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 4 episodes · as Peter

  • Return of the Saint (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Vidal

  • The Fifth Commandment (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Bernhard Redder

  • The Biggest Battle(1978)

    as Lt. Kurt Zimmer

    Motif score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Beast with a Gun(1977)

    as Nanni Vitali

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Victory at Entebbe(1976)

    as Wilfried Böse

    Motif score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Salon Kitty(1976)

    as Helmut Wallenberg

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Romantic Englishwoman(1975)

    as Thomas

    Motif score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Order to Kill (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1975)

    as Clyde Hart

  • Conversation Piece(1974)

    as Konrad Huebel

    Motif score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Ash Wednesday (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Erich

  • Reigen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Der junge Herr Alfred

  • La colonna infame (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Il capitano di giustizia Arconati

  • Ludwig(1973)

    as Ludwig

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Voracious Ones (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1973)

    as Kosta

  • The Bloodstained Butterfly(1971)

    as Giorgio

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Love Me Strangely (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    as Alain Revent

  • The Garden of the Finzi-Continis(1970)

    as Alberto

    Motif score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Dorian Gray(1970)

    as Dorian Gray

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Damned(1969)

    as Martin Von Essenbeck

    Motif score: 89th percentile of all films

  • What Did Stalin Do to Women? (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1969)

    as Aldo

  • The Young Tigers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1968)

    as Dario

  • The Witches(1967)

    as Hotel Page (segment "La strega bruciata viva")

    Motif score: 40th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 69 titles from 1967 to 2019; peak year 1989.

Biggest box office

The Devil's Violinist (2013)

$4.1M worldwide

Highest rated

Ludwig (1973)

Most popular right now

Salon Kitty (1976)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19672019

Peak 1989 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 3 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1967Screen debut· The Witches
  • 1970First top-billed film· Dorian Gray
  • 1973Breakout· Ludwig
  • 1973Career best· Ludwig

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting68 of 69: 68 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score44thOther crew1 of 69: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1960s4 · acting1970s20 · acting1980s18 · acting1990s13 · 12 acting · 1 crew2000s6 · acting2010s8 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 47% of 17 roles
677277

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 Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Helmut Berger's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 21; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Motif score across 21 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 21 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Liberté (2019)

77th percentile spread · 50% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Ludwig (1973)

80% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif 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 Helmut Berger's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 Motif titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 72 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles44–77 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 31
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 60 · moderateMedian 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 Helmut Berger work with?

People who share at least 2 of Helmut Berger's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Luchino Visconti shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors