Im Westen ging die Sonne auf (2002): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2002, Im Westen ging die Sonne auf is a documentary film directed by Wolfgang Ettlich, running about 84 minutes.

What it’s about. The mining industry, which always had been “sponsor” and “financier” of the soccer clubs in the Ruhr valley during the post-war period, doesn’t exist anymore nowadays in that form. Many of the once glorious clubs which dominated German soccer until the 1970s faded into obscurity without financial backers. The documentary “Im Westen ging die Sonne auf" ("The sun had risen in the west“) shows the history of the “Revierfußball” from after the second World War until the decline of the mining industry and recalls legendary players and forgotten clubs. The film shows especially how deeply rooted the sport was back then in the entire lifestyle of the Ruhr area - in private life as well as in society - and how structural change also left clearly visible marks in sports. With pictures from back then, interviews with contemporary witnesses, and footage of original locations nowadays, a contemporary document of German post-war history, by taking the example of soccer, has been created.

Who’s in it. Im Westen ging die Sonne auf stars Willi Lippens, Paul Nigelski, Anton Stark and Horst Szymaniak, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Im Westen ging die Sonne auf page.

If you liked it. Fans of Im Westen ging die Sonne auf tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.