Despair backdrop
19781h 57m6.5(47)

Despair

A hysterical comedy

DramaThriller
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We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 11:08 IST

1978-09-15
1h 57m
English
Released
Bavaria Studios

About

Berlin, 1930, during the rise of Nazism. Hermann Hermann, a Russian emigrant and chocolate manufacturer, married to the capricious Lydia, loses his temper more and more every day when dealing with his workers and other businessmen; until he meets Felix, a vagrant, who seems to be physically identical to him; a disconcerting fact that leads Hermann Hermann to plot a particular way out of a fake world he actually hates.

#berlin, germany#husband wife relationship#based on novel or book#businessman#chocolate#identity#paranoia#identity crisis#attempt to escape#painter#republic of weimar#alienation#antisemitism#mental illness#madness#assumed identity#doppelgänger#insurance policy#double#vagrant#nazism#russian emigre#murder plot#1930s#perfect murder#self image#film within a film#performative#dissociation#jewish ancestry#jewish wife#rise of fascism#rise of nazism#victimhood

Cast

Where does Despair rank today?

Despair is #10000 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.

  • Highest: #10000
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Watch Despair Online Free in HD

Stream Despair online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A popular drama and thriller movie originally produced in English and released in 1978, it's earned a solid 6.5/10 from 47 viewers worldwide.

About Despair

A hysterical comedy

Berlin, 1930, during the rise of Nazism. Hermann Hermann, a Russian emigrant and chocolate manufacturer, married to the capricious Lydia, loses his temper more and more every day when dealing with his workers and other businessmen; until he meets Felix, a vagrant, who seems to be physically identical to him; a disconcerting fact that leads Hermann Hermann to plot a particular way out of a fake world he actually hates. Running 117 minutes.

Despair Cast and Characters

The cast features Dirk Bogarde (as Hermann Hermann), Andréa Ferréol (as Lydia Hermann), Klaus Löwitsch (as Felix Weber), Volker Spengler (as Ardalion), and Bernhard Wicki (as Orlovius). Their performances are a major reason Despair has built such a passionate audience.

Where to Watch Despair Online

On Bowood.TV you can watch Despair free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full film in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.

▶ Watch Despair Now

Why People Are Watching Despair

Despair flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts and tight pacing that earns its twists. If you enjoy English 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 Despair

Where can I watch Despair online for free?

You can watch Despair 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 Despair?

Despair runs for 117 minutes (about 2 hours).

Is Despair good? What's the rating?

Despair holds a 6.5/10 rating based on 47 reviews — a solid pick if the genre interests you.

Who is in the cast of Despair?

The main cast includes Dirk Bogarde, Andréa Ferréol, Klaus Löwitsch, and Volker Spengler, plus a strong supporting ensemble.

Is Despair available in English?

Yes — Despair was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.

When was Despair released?

Despair was released in 1978.

Do I need an account to watch Despair on Bowood.TV?

No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Despair without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.

Similar Movies You Might Like

If you enjoyed Despair, check out Diary of a Chambermaid, Dark Waters, Roman eines Frauenarztes, Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974, and Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1980.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Despair

Where can I watch Despair for free?

You can watch Despair (1978) 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 Despair about?

Despair is a Drama/Thriller English-language film. Berlin, 1930, during the rise of Nazism. Hermann Hermann, a Russian emigrant and chocolate manufacturer, married to the capricious Lydia, loses his temper more and more every day when dealing with his workers and other businessmen; until he meets Felix, a vagrant, who seems to be physically identical to him; a disconcerting fact that leads Hermann Hermann to plot a particular way out of a fake world he actually hates.

When was Despair released?

Despair was released on September 15, 1978. It has a runtime of 1h 57m. The film was produced by Bavaria Studios.

Who stars in Despair?

Despair stars Dirk Bogarde, Andréa Ferréol, Klaus Löwitsch and Volker Spengler. The full cast list is available in the Cast section above.

Is Despair available in HD?

Yes, Despair 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.

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