Based on the novel "The Wave" by Todd Strasser (under the pen name Morton Rhue), a fictionalized account of the "Third Wave" teaching experiment by Ron Jones that took place in a Cubberley High School history class in Palo Alto, California in April 1967.
Ron Jones has stated that he thinks the film is much closer to the actual events of the experiment than the novel by Morton Rhue/Todd Strasser.
Much like Napola, the film was partly inspired by Gansel's grandfather, with whom Gansel had a lot of fights when young because his grandfather used to tell him he was supportive of the Nazi government when they where in power. It was not until Gansel's grandfather told him of his ambition to become an artist - which family poverty could only avail him towards joining the National Political Academy (NAPOLA) instead - that Gansel understood the lure of fascism was all about seduction and psychology. This laid the basis for the film and its themes.
Ron Jones, the initiator of the original experiment, attended the film's world premiere at Sundance Film Festival.
Dennis Gansel has stated that he will never make another film about national socialism again after The Wave as he feels he has said all he has to say about the subject.
Dennis Gansel: The guy Dennis, played by Jacob Matschenz, talks to at the bar, who is later seen making out with Marco's mother.