The book is so well known in many countries as it's part of the standard curriculum (I had to read it when I was 16), so I think the German film makers felt it

The book is so well known in many countries as it's part of the standard curriculum (I had to read it when I was 16), so I think the German film makers felt it needed no particular references to the story. It's right next to Animal Farm, Brave New World, and 1984. See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wave_(2008_film)#Differences_from_the_1981_film https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wave_(2008_film)#Differenc...