Karl May is a 1974 West German biographical drama film directed by Hans-Jürgen Syberberg, starring Helmut Käutner as the writer Karl May. It is considered the second part in Syberberg's "German trilogy", preceded by Ludwig: Requiem for a Virgin King from 1972 and succeeded by Hitler: A Film from Germany from 1977. It was shot at the Bavaria Studios in Munich with sets designed by Nino Borghi. Location shooting took place in Vienna from 4 April to 17 May 1974. The budget was 1.1 million Deutsche Mark, of which the broadcaster ZDF provided 700,000 Mark.