Karl-Heinz Klopf (born 1930) is a German film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his films of the 1960s and 1970s, often focusing on crime and social issues.
Klopf was born in 1930 in Stuttgart, Germany. He attended the University of Tübingen, where he studied philosophy, literature, and theater. After graduating, he began working as a film editor and director.
Klopf's first feature-length film was the 1960 film Der Tod eines Freundes, which was based on a true story about the murder of a young student. The film was a success, and it established Klopf as a director to watch.
In the 1960s, Klopf directed several films focusing on the social issues of the time. His 1961 film Die Gebrüder Karamazov was a modern adaptation of Dostoyevsky's novel of the same name, and it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. His other films from the period include Der Verlorene (1962), Die Schuldigen (1963), and Die Wohnung (1964).
Klopf's most famous film is the 1967 crime drama Das Ende des Spieles, which was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film follows a former Nazi officer as he tries to clear his name and find redemption. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Klopf as one of Germany's leading auteurs.
In the 1970s, Klopf continued to make films focusing on crime and social issues. His films from this period include Das Gebet des Bösen (1972), Der Mann im Hintergrund (1973), and Der Kontrakt (1976). Klopf also directed the television series Der Kommissar (1969-1976), which was one of the most successful police dramas in German television history.
Klopf's later films include the war drama Der Krieg des Friedens (1981) and the romantic drama Der Schatten des Windes (1986). He also directed several documentaries, including Der Tag der Freiheit (1986) and Der Weg nach Europa (1989).
Klopf has won several awards over the course of his career, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz (German Order
