Black Gold S01E07 · The History of the Oil Boom in Germany

Overview

This companion documentary delves into the real-life origins of the oil boom in the Lüneburg Heath. Actor Aaron Hilmer from the series "Black Gold" travels to Wietze in search of historical traces. Once a hub of the German oil industry, the town in the Celle district served as the real-world inspiration for the fictional series. In 1858, geologist Georg Hunäus drilled Germany’s first oil well here. By the early 20th century, oil derricks crowded the landscape of Wietze. Through conversations with historians and contemporary witnesses, Aaron Hilmer explores how the oil boom transformed this small village on the heath.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Source2025-12-22 · 48mIn 1900, the Lambert farming family falls into financial hardship. Twenty-year-old Johanna loses her job as a maid and is forced to leave her home for the city in search of new wor
2. 2 2. Vein2025-12-22 · 45mJohanna wants to uncover the truth behind her father's death, but the corrupt police officer Theis is obstructing the investigation. Oil is gushing from the derricks for the first
3. 3 3. Abyss2025-12-22 · 46mThe Papes' oil field is expanding rapidly. The workers are starving, and the farmers lack clean water. Richard wants to help and points Johanna to the auction of a lakefront proper
4. 4 4. Pressure2025-12-22 · 43mJohanna finds a new ally in Tyler in her fight against the powerful Papes. Although she loses the auction of the lakefront property to Wilhelm, it proves costly for him. Elisabeth,
5. 5 5. Embers2025-12-22 · 44mJohanna and Jakub lead the workers in a strike, which Wilhelm brutally suppresses. The pact between Johanna and Tyler Robertson is on the verge of collapse. A robbery and murder pu
6. 6 6. Fire2025-12-22 · 46mRichard wants to end his father's reign of terror and fights alongside Johanna. In a bitter struggle, Johanna aims to bring down Wilhelm's oil empire. Wilhelm reveals to her the se
7. 7 7. The History of the Oil Boom in Germany2025-12-29 · 43mThis companion documentary delves into the real-life origins of the oil boom in the Lüneburg Heath. Actor Aaron Hilmer from the series "Black Gold" travels to Wietze in search of h