Under the motto "A Myth is Born - Karl May in Film," Michael Petzel recounts over 70 years of German film history, which has always been intertwined with Karl May's legacy. From the very first silent films of the 1920s (On the Ruins of Paradise, The Death Caravan, The Devil Worshippers) to the great classics of the 1960s (The Treasure of Silver Lake, the Winnetou Trilogy, Old Shatterhand, and many more), the narrative spans a wide range. In addition to portraits of stars like Lex Barker, Pierre Brice, Stewart Granger, and Marie Versini, the book also explores film historical questions, such as the impact of the major Karl May wave starting in 1963 on German cinema as a whole, and the reception these films received from international audiences. Additionally, it documents all the plans and projects that unfortunately remained unrealized, yet illustrate the intense connection.