Episode guide
Berlin Alexanderplatz: Limited Series
14 episodes · premiered Oct 12, 1980
In late 1920s Berlin, Franz Biberkopf is released from prison and vows to go straight. However, he soon finds himself embroiled in the city’s criminal underworld.
- Episode 1: The Punishment Begins Oct 12, 1980 · 1h 22m In 1928 Berlin, Franz Biberkopf is released after serving four years in Tegel prison for the murder of his girlfriend Ida. After settling into his old apartment, he visits Ida's sister…
- Episode 2: How Is One to Live If One Doesn’t Want to Die? Oct 13, 1980 · 1h Biberkopf is self-employed, hawking necktie holders on the street, but has trouble making enough and doesn't consider himself an orator. After turning down the opportunity to sell sex ed…
- Episode 3: A Hammer Blow to the Head Can Injure the Soul Oct 20, 1980 · 59m Troubled by the dubious nature of Franz's job, Lina introduces him to family friend Otto Lüders, who turns out to be an ex-con he knows from prison, but Franz thinks Otto is good. With…
- Episode 4: A Handful of People in the Depths of Silence Oct 27, 1980 · 59m Franz goes on an alcohol binge as former medical orderly Baumann searches for him in rooms in a building opposite the one occupied by the prisoners' charity on which he depends for his…
- Episode 5: A Grim Reaper with Powers from Almighty God Nov 3, 1980 · 1h Franz, after several fleeting encounters, has finally become reacquainted with his former pimp Eva, who feels a deep affection for him, and has paid the rent for his old rooms in his…
- Episode 6: Love Has Its Price Nov 10, 1980 · 59m Franz explains to Reinhold that he wants Cilly to stay with him. Franz gets sucked into Pums's gang when he is drafted for a job as a last-minute replacement for Bruno, who is beaten in…
- Episode 7: Remember—An Oath Can Be Amputated Nov 17, 1980 · 58m Franz has survived, but his right arm has been amputated. He recuperates for a time with Eva and Eva's lover Herbert, who agitates against Pums's syndicate, so the boss decides to take up…
- Episode 8: The Sun Warms the Skin, But Burns It Sometimes Too Nov 24, 1980 · 59m Franz becomes involved in an illegal enterprise with Willy, whom he met at a cabaret. Eva and Herbert drop by to see Franz and bring a young woman, Emilie Karsunke, whom they offer as a…
- Episode 9: About the Eternities Between the Many and the Few Dec 1, 1980 · 59m Eva explains to Franz that Mieze just wants to work to support him as Franz cannot due to his missing arm. After reconciling with Mieze, Franz attends a communist rally, during which he…
- Episode 10: Loneliness Tears Cracks of Madness Even in Walls Dec 8, 1980 · 1h As Mieze cannot conceive, Eva tells her she'll have a child with Franz that Mieze can then raise. Mieze is delighted, to the point that Eva asks if she is a lesbian. Eva also tells Mieze…
- Episode 11: Knowledge Is Power and the Early Bird Catches the Worm Dec 15, 1980 · 59m Franz tells Reinhold he wants to get involved with Pums again. Reinhold still has his suspicions but Franz is allowed to assist the gang with a job. Mieze is upset that Franz is earning…
- Episode 12: The Serpent in the Soul of the Serpent Dec 22, 1980 · 1h Franz introduces Mieze to Meck. Reinhold blackmails Meck to set up a meeting for him with Mieze. Meck takes Mieze on a drive to Bad Freienwalde and delivers her to Reinhold. Reinhold takes…
- Episode 13: The Outside and the Inside and the Secret of Fear of the Secret Dec 29, 1980 · 59m Franz tells Eva that Mieze has left him. Eva reassures him, though she is a bit concerned herself. A robbery pulled off by Pums' gang goes wrong and Franz takes Meck to his apartment to…
- Episode 14: My Dream of the Dream of Franz Biberkopf by Alfred Döblin, An Epilogue Dec 29, 1980 · 1h 52m In a fantasy sequence, Franz walks along a street of the dead with two angels. He finds Mieze, but she disappears from his arms. Reinhold is in prison for the crimes committed by a man…