markus.st

This movie has been part of my life as long as I can remember. Fortunately Swiss TV made it a habit to broadcast it on or around Christmas every year. This would make it seem unnecessary to purchase a DVD, but I did so today anyway, as soon as I noticed it the fist time in the store, I didn't even bother looking at the price tag, which is uncommon for a me as a Swiss...

What makes this movie so unique in its kind is its appeal to every age group. For a small child, it's just a delightfull fairy tale with all necessary ingredients. A couple years older one appreciates the wonderful pictures of castles, animals, hunting scenes. Then I started understanding its special humour. Later of course I fell in love with the gorgeous youthful tomboyish main actress and couldn't see enough of her riding in moon light through a snowy landscape. Then I started noticing how innovative the style of the movie was in its time, how well done the cutting, how fitting the soundtrack. I also saw how well it portrays women as equal partners that are not defined by beauty alone. After all the prince has to acknowledge all of Cindarella's roles, (worker, huntress, and ball princess) before she agrees on marrying him.

Of course it has its little imperfections. Some of the actors can't quite reach the standard set by others. Some tricks like the flight of Rosalie (the owl) don't look right. Sometimes the pics are just a little too "kitsch". But it just doesn't matter. It's my favorite fairy tale movie, and it always will be. It's a lifelong love story, hopefully to be passed on to other generations.

The film goes beyond Tucholsky's light autobiographic Novel by picturing the process of Nazi takeover and its effect on the intellectual and artist community. Writer and journalist Kurt Tucholsky is trying to evade the growing political and legal pressure aimed against his pacifist activism by taking some vacation together with his girlfriend Lydia. Together they spend some happy days in Gripsholm Castle, Sweden. Although a visit by his old pal Karl who has turned into a Nazi admirer temporarily reminds him of the unpleasant changes that take place back home, he finds distraction in comfy country life, in caring for an unfortunate runaway child and erotic adventures together with Lydia and Billie, a Berlin variété singer. Ultimately his attempt to evade reality lead into exile and isolation. Although quite conventional and ultimately predictable in its making, the film succeeds in depicting the dilemma of German intellectuals in exile. A beautiful soundtrack and excellent acting are additional assets.