
The First Polka
1979, German. Directed by Klaus Emmerich.
The intertwined lives of people of both Polish and German extraction who live on the pre-World War II border between the two countries are explored in this drama. Valeska is the Polish/German matriarch of a family living on the German side of the border. Her son is involved with the Hitler youth, but nonetheless keeps secret the presence on family land of a Jew who is hiding from the authorities. When the son inadvertently kills a soldier to prevent his sister from being raped, he runs away after borrowing money from the Jewish man. When soldiers come to the family's door looking for the missing soldier who had been billeted there, the Jewish man commits suicide. In another episode, one of the family's daughters marries a German soldier in a ceremony presided over by a Polish priest.
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- German
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch The First Polka
The First Polka isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 28 February 1979.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 28 February 1979
- Original title
- Die erste Polka
- Country
- Germany
- Written by
- Helmut Krapp
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked The First Polka

The German Lesson
2019 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Remember
2015 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

SAS: Red Notice
2021 · 5.8/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers

What Maisie Knew
2013 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Young One
1960 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Paula
2016 · 6.3/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Kindness of Strangers
2019 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Charm City Kings
2020 · 7.8/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Georgetown
2019 · 5.9/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers

F.I.S.T.
1978 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The First Polka: quick answers
Is The First Polka worth watching?
The First Polka doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The First Polka?
The First Polka runs 96 minutes (1h 36m).
Does The First Polka have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The First Polka. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The First Polka parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The First Polka yet.
Which OTT platform is The First Polka on?
The First Polka isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 28 February 1979. (Checked 9 November 2026.)
What movies are like The First Polka?
If you liked The First Polka, try The German Lesson, Remember, SAS: Red Notice.
Who directed The First Polka?
The First Polka (1979) was directed by Klaus Emmerich and stars Maria Schell, Ernst Stankovski, Claus Theo Gärtner.