In "German Dynasties: The Opels", family members of the Opels tell how they revolutionised our society with their car factory in a lasting way, but they also report critically how the success changed the life of the family itself. When the family sells the factory in 1929, the Opels are among the nine richest families in Germany. The money brought glamour; one famous family member is Gunter Sachs, whose mother was a born Opel. However, wealth did not only bring blessings, but also posed a great challenge for some Opels, which threatened to cause them to fail.

For the first time, family members Carlo von Opel, Gregor von Opel, Christoph von Opel, Countess Ivonne von Schönburg-Glauchau (née von Opel) as well as Rolf Sachs, the son of Gunter Sachs, tell the story of their family and also speak openly about the dark side of success and wealth. Unpublished, colour film footage from the family allows an intimate keyhole perspective into the lives of the Opels.

First broadcast: Mon., 30 April 2012, 23:45, ARD.