The First Polka
Die erste Polka
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 07 Jun 2026 at 04:29 IST
About
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.
Cast
Maria Schell
as Valeska Piontek
Ernst Stankovski
as Anwalt Wondrak
Claus Theo Gärtner
as Feldwebel Metzmacher
Eva Maria Bauer
as Tante Lucie
Erland Josephson
as Leo Maria Piontek
Guido Wieland
as Herr Montag
René Schell
as Josef Piontek
Marco Kröger
as Andreas
Jan Biczycki
as Archpriest Pattas
Regine Lamster
as Irma
Where does The First Polka rank today?
The First Polka is #10000 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
- Highest: #10000
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Watch The First Polka Online Free in HD
Looking for a place to watch The First Polka online for free? You've landed on the right page. The First Polka is a highly acclaimed German drama movie from 1979 that you can stream right now on Bowood.TV in high quality, no signup required.
About The First Polka
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. Running 96 minutes.
The First Polka Cast and Characters
The cast features Maria Schell (as Valeska Piontek), Ernst Stankovski (as Anwalt Wondrak), Claus Theo Gärtner (as Feldwebel Metzmacher), Eva Maria Bauer (as Tante Lucie), and Erland Josephson (as Leo Maria Piontek). Their performances are a major reason The First Polka has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The First Polka Online
Bowood.TV lets you stream The First Polka online free, instantly, in HD. There's nothing to install — open the page, hit play, done. Works perfectly on Jio, Airtel, Vi networks across India and on slow mobile data thanks to our adaptive video pipeline.
▶ Watch The First Polka NowWhy People Are Watching The First Polka
There's a reason The First Polka keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. If you enjoy German storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of film you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The First Polka
Where can I watch The First Polka online for free?
You can watch The First Polka online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How long is The First Polka?
The First Polka runs for 96 minutes (about 1.6 hours).
Is The First Polka good? What's the rating?
The First Polka holds a 9.0/10 rating based on 1 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of The First Polka?
The main cast includes Maria Schell, Ernst Stankovski, Claus Theo Gärtner, and Eva Maria Bauer, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is The First Polka available in German?
Yes — The First Polka was originally produced in German and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was The First Polka released?
The First Polka was released in 1979.
Do I need an account to watch The First Polka on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The First Polka without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The First Polka
Where can I watch The First Polka for free?
You can watch The First Polka (1979) online for free on Bowood.TV. Just click "Watch Free" on this page to start streaming instantly — no account, subscription, or downloads required.
What is The First Polka about?
The First Polka is a Drama film. 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.
When was The First Polka released?
The First Polka was released on February 28, 1979. It has a runtime of 1h 36m. The film was produced by Bavaria Film.
Who stars in The First Polka?
The First Polka stars Maria Schell, Ernst Stankovski, Claus Theo Gärtner and Eva Maria Bauer. The full cast list is available in the Cast section above.
Is The First Polka available in HD?
Yes, The First Polka is available to stream in high definition (HD) on Bowood.TV. Our players automatically deliver the best quality your connection supports — no extra setup needed.