Bringemovies
← Browse Movies
Contergan: Die Eltern
TITLE DETAILS

Contergan: Die Eltern

2003-05-04 · 101 min · ★ 9.0

Documentary

From 1959 to 1962, about 5000 disabled children were born in Germany, often with shortened and altered limbs, but also very often with damage to internal organs. About half of the children did not survive. In November 1961, it turned out that the sleeping pill and sedative Contergan was responsible for the disabilities. The active ingredient thalidomide had disrupted the growth process of the children in the womb in the early stages of pregnancy. In this documentary, parents of the so-called "Contergan children" tell how they experienced the tragedy.

Open detail page

Trailers are previews, not full movies.

No authorized playback source configured. Use the legal watch options below.

Production details

Directors
Andreas Fischer
Production companies
Bundesverband Contergangeschädigter, Moraki-Film
Countries
Germany
Status
Released

Top Cast

Wolfgang KorruhnNarrator
Sigrid Baumann-SennSelf
Karin Berg-KotterbaSelf
Gisela BrücknerSelf
Joachim BrücknerSelf
Renata CohenSelf
Gretel HerzelSelf
Alfred HerzelSelf
Walburga Schmidt-HingerlSelf
Helga TosanaSelf
Linde Schulte-HillenSelf
Karl-Herrmann Schulte-HillenSelf

Title information and images are supplied by TMDb. Explore our discovery guide for advice on comparing metadata and legal viewing options.

Where to watch

Availability provided by JustWatch via TMDb. Offers can change. Provider links are listed on TMDb; full playback requires a separately authorized source.

Availability not listed for this country.

Recommendations

Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story
★ 6.2
Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story2025Documentary

Unravel the case of Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, whose child abuse arrest with parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke exposed a twisted tale of manipulation.

Take Care of Maya
★ 7.6
Take Care of Maya2023Documentary

When Jack and Beata Kowalski are wrongfully accused of child abuse after their 10-year-old daughter Maya visits the ER, a nightmare unfolds.

Sugarcane
★ 7.0
Sugarcane2024Documentary

An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school in Canada ignites a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.

42 Up
★ 7.6
42 Up1999Documentary

Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.

21 Up
★ 7.4
21 Up1977Documentary

After another 7 year wait, director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born children from Seven Up! and 7 Plus Seven. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.

A Toxic Love Story
★ 6.4
A Toxic Love Story2026Documentary

A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.

Come See Me in the Good Light
★ 7.1
Come See Me in the Good Light2025Documentary

In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.

To Kill a Tiger
★ 7.6
To Kill a Tiger2023Documentary

Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.

Who Are You, Charlie Brown?
★ 6.9
Who Are You, Charlie Brown?2021Documentary

Lupita Nyong'o narrates a documentary about Peanuts and its creator, Charles M. Schulz. Famous fans—including Drew Barrymore, Kevin Smith, and Al Roker—share its influence on them, and a new animated story finds Charlie Brown on a quest.

S4: The Bob Lazar Story
★ 8.4
S4: The Bob Lazar Story2026Documentary

Over 35 years after Bob Lazar's revelations, this documentary exposes secrets of a facility the government still denies. Featuring Lazar's testimony, recreations, and new evidence, it reopens a case that continues to spark global curiosity

Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers
★ 7.0
Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers2025Documentary

Aileen Wuornos remains a rarity: a female serial killer. From childhood abuse to death-row revelations, this documentary revisits her life and crimes.

Above Majestic
★ 7.4
Above Majestic2018Documentary

A look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", a clandestine group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.

The Class of ‘92
★ 7.1
The Class of ‘922013Documentary

A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.

My Mom Jayne
★ 8.0
My Mom Jayne2025Documentary

Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish
★ 6.7
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish2025Documentary

Vulgar, taunting texts blow up the phones of a teen and her boyfriend. Who's sending them — and why? This twisty documentary reveals the shocking answer.

In the Realms of the Unreal
★ 7.2
In the Realms of the Unreal2004Documentary

In the Realms of the Unreal is a documentary about the reclusive Chicago-based artist Henry Darger. Henry Darger was so reclusive that when he died his neighbors were surprised to find a 15,145-page manuscript along with hundreds of paintings depicting The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glodeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Cased by the Child Slave Rebellion.

As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
★ 7.8
As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty2000Documentary

A compilation of over 30 years of private home movie footage shot by Lithuanian-American avant-garde director Jonas Mekas, assembled by Mekas "purely by chance", without concern for chronological order.

Sidney
★ 6.9
Sidney2022Documentary

This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.

Directed by John Ford
★ 7.0
Directed by John Ford1971Documentary

A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.

The Cheshire Murders
★ 6.5
The Cheshire Murders2013Documentary

In the early-morning hours of July 23, 2007, in Cheshire, Conn., ex-convicts Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky broke into the family home of William Petit, his wife, Jennifer, and their daughters, Michaela, 11, and Hayley, 17. Dr. Petit was beaten and tied to a pole in the basement. The three women were bound in their bedrooms while the men ransacked the house. The brutal ordeal continued throughout the morning, ending with rape, arson and a horrific triple homicide.

Similar titles

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Vítězství nad osudem1948Documentary

Doctors of the Dark Side
★ 6.8
Doctors of the Dark Side2011Documentary

Doctors of the Dark Side is the first feature length documentary about the pivotal role of physicians and psychologists in detainee torture. The stories of four detainees and the doctors involved in their abuse demonstrate how US Army and CIA doctors implemented the Enhanced Interrogation Techniques and covered up signs of torture at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib. Interviews with medical, legal and intelligence experts and evidence from declassified government memos document what has been called the greatest scandal in American medical ethics. Based on four years of research by Producer/Director Martha Davis, written by Oscar winning Mark Jonathan Harris, and filmed in HD by Emmy winning DP Lisa Rinzler, the film shows how the torture of detainees could not continue without the assistance of the doctors.

Desplazamientos
Not rated
Desplazamientos2026Documentary

Não Me Pare Agora
Not rated
Não Me Pare Agora2022Documentary

Poster unavailable
★ 4.0
Wright's Law2012Documentary

Every now and then, we get a teacher who doesn't just connect with us -- they make us a better person in the world. Jeffrey Wright of Louisville, Ky. is one of those teachers. He uses wacky experiments to teach high school kids about science and the universe. But it's his own personal story about his relationship with his disabled son that shows his students the true meaning of life.

Handicapped Future
★ 6.8
Handicapped Future1971Documentary

A documentary by Werner Herzog exploring the different treatment accorded to the disabled in Germany and the USA.

Kinderraub - Ein dunkles Kapitel der katholischen Kirche
Not rated
Kinderraub - Ein dunkles Kapitel der katholischen Kirche2023Documentary

The Children of San Simon
★ 9.5
The Children of San SimonDocumentary

Sima Shimony, age 69, embarks on a mission to find her friends and staff from the "ALYN" Institute for Children with Disabilities, which was situated in the secluded San-Simon monastery in Jerusalem, during the 1960s. Armed with a small camera attached to her wheelchair, she sets off on a journey across the country together with her friend Pini Newirth, also a polio child, to unfold and reclaim the story of the children affected by the Polio epidemic. In a futile attempt to rebuild their bodies so they could walk, the children were subjected to excruciating medical procedures with no parents or family at their side. But growing up together forged a group of remarkable, self-driven women and men with disabilities who eventually launched the Disability Rights movement in Israel.

A Long Way to School
Not rated
A Long Way to School2021Documentary

Gongjin Elementary School in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, was shut down due to the dramatic decrease of the number of students. At the end of 2013, the Education Office of Seoul started a project to establish a special-education school(Seojin School, tentatively). But even after about 5 years, its construction hasn’t started yet. Could Seojin School open with all the obstacles?

Voices from the Shadows
Not rated
Voices from the ShadowsDocumentary

‘Voices from the Shadows’ shows the brave and sometimes heartrending stories of five ME patients and their carers, along with input from Dr Nigel Speight, Prof Leonard Jason and Prof Malcolm Hooper. These were filmed and edited between 2009 and 2011, by the brother and mother of an ME patient in the UK. It shows the devastating consequences that occur when patients are disbelieved and the illness is misunderstood. Severe and lasting relapse occurs when patients are given inappropriate psychological or behavioural management: management that ignores the severe amplification of symptoms that can be caused by increased physical or mental activity or exposure to stimuli, and by further infections. A belief in behavioural and psychological causes, particularly when ME becomes very severe and chronic, following mismanagement, is still taught to medical students and healthcare professionals in the UK. As a consequence, situations similar to those shown in the film continue to occur.

Mondo Cane 2
★ 5.6
Mondo Cane 21963Documentary

The official sequel to the original shockumentary presents a series of bizarre, shocking and grotesque cultural rituals, practices and events from around the world. Featured segments include the burning monks of Saigon in Vietnam, slave markets in Sudan, religious hysteria, mortician schools, and unusual global subcultures.

Hard to Believe
★ 7.5
Hard to Believe2016Documentary

A documentary that examines the issue of forced live organ harvesting from Chinese prisoners of conscience, and the response - or lack of it - around the world. It's happened before: governments killing their own citizens for their political or spiritual beliefs. But it’s never happened like this. It’s happened so often that the world doesn’t always pay attention.

Reel Rock 20
Not rated
Reel Rock 202026Documentary

Reel Rock 20 World Tour showcases the world's best climbing stories: Olympic champion Janja Garnbret sets her sights on the legendary climb Bibliographie, Michaela Kiersch goes on a global sending spree, Ben Mayforth redefines adaptive climbing in his intense pursuit of 5.13, and Colin Haley attempts an historic solo winter ascent of Cerro Torre.

Hold On, Pain Ends
Not rated
Hold On, Pain Ends2026Documentary

Ben Mayforth redefines adaptive climbing in his intense pursuit of 5.13.

Untold: Hall of Shame
★ 6.6
Untold: Hall of Shame2023Documentary

Examine one of sports' biggest steroid scandals via interviews with the head of BALCO lab, athletes suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs and more.

Barreda
★ 7.2
Barreda2026

A fictionalized drama film based on one of the most shocking crimes in Argentina's history. In 1992, Ricardo Barreda was an unassuming dentist, brutally murdered his wife, mother-in-law, and two adult daughters in their family home. Branding himself as a victim, Ricardo Barreda ignited a media storm and fueled a national scandal.

Rumble in the Bronx
★ 6.9
Rumble in the Bronx1995

Keung comes from Hong Kong to visit New York for his uncle's wedding. His uncle runs a market in the Bronx and Keung offers to help out while Uncle is on his honeymoon. During his stay in the Bronx, Keung befriends a neighbour kid and beats up some neighbourhood thugs who cause problems at the market. One of those petty thugs in the local gang stumbles into a criminal situation way over his head.

Chinese Roulette
★ 7.1
Chinese Roulette1977

Ariane and Gerhard Christ, a wealthy Munich couple, plan for the weekend on separate trips, lying to the other about their trysts. However, their itineraries are complicated when they both arrive at the family's country home with their respective lovers.

Mersal
★ 7.3
Mersal2017

A few individuals in the medical profession are murdered or kidnapped, and the cop investigating the case suspects a doctor and arrests him. But is he the one who is behind these crimes? And why are they being committed?

Le Beau Serge
★ 6.9
Le Beau Serge1959

After long absence, a man returns to his hometown only to find his best friend has become an alcoholic.

Your favorites

Recently viewed

Watch

Choose an authorized server.

Full video from an operator-configured authorized source. Official trailers use a separate player. If a server fails, retry or select another authorized server.

Legal watch options

Official trailer

Trailer preview only. Press Play to start.

Privacy choices

Favorites stay in your browser. Movie images load from TMDb. YouTube trailers contact YouTube only after you allow external media and choose a trailer. Advertising consent, if ads are enabled, is managed separately by the operator’s certified CMP.

Privacy policy

After allowing external media, choose the trailer button to load its player.