Heart of Stone (1950 film)
Encyclopedia
Heart of Stone is an East German fantasy film
directed by Paul Verhoeven
. The first East German film made in Agfacolor
, it was released in 1950.
where he exists by selling charcoal
. Stung by the ridicule of the wealthier inhabitants of the village and desiring to marry the beautiful Lisbeth, he sees his only chance for prosperity by locating a good forest spirit, the small Glasmännlein who grants him two wishes at first, then a third wish later. Peter wishes for wealth that he purchases a glassworks but due to his inexperience the glassworks fails and he gambles his money away.
Unable to marry Lisbeth due to his being pursued by creditors, Peter locates a dark forest spirit, Holländer-Michel, to make more wishes for wealth. Holländer-Michel agrees to grant him wealth, but only in exchange for his heart that Holländer-Michel replaces with one made of stone. Holländer-Michel shows that the wealtheir inhabitants of the village already have done so and shows Peter their hearts that he displays on the wall. Peter agrees and becomes a ruthlessly successful businessman but at the cost of Lisbeth and his happiness.
Fantasy film
Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap...
directed by Paul Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven (Germany)
Paul Verhoeven was a German actor, writer, and film and theatre director.He had 13 siblings and the family lived in modest circumstances.He directed and acted in over 50 films, and wrote over 20 film scripts, the first of which was Das kleine Hofkonzert in 1935, an operetta with music by Edmund...
. The first East German film made in Agfacolor
Agfacolor
thumb|An Agfacolor slide dating from the early 1940s. While the colors themselves hold up well after 60 years, damages visible include dust and [[Newton's rings]].Agfacolor is a series of color photographic products produced by Agfa of Germany...
, it was released in 1950.
Plot
Peter, a woodsman and his mother live in the Black ForestBlack Forest
The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It is bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 metres ....
where he exists by selling charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
. Stung by the ridicule of the wealthier inhabitants of the village and desiring to marry the beautiful Lisbeth, he sees his only chance for prosperity by locating a good forest spirit, the small Glasmännlein who grants him two wishes at first, then a third wish later. Peter wishes for wealth that he purchases a glassworks but due to his inexperience the glassworks fails and he gambles his money away.
Unable to marry Lisbeth due to his being pursued by creditors, Peter locates a dark forest spirit, Holländer-Michel, to make more wishes for wealth. Holländer-Michel agrees to grant him wealth, but only in exchange for his heart that Holländer-Michel replaces with one made of stone. Holländer-Michel shows that the wealtheir inhabitants of the village already have done so and shows Peter their hearts that he displays on the wall. Peter agrees and becomes a ruthlessly successful businessman but at the cost of Lisbeth and his happiness.
Cast
- Lutz Moik as Peter Munk
- Hanna Rucker as Lisbeth
- Paul BildtPaul BildtPaul Hermann Bildt was a German film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1910 and 1956. He was born and died in Berlin, Germany.- Selected filmography :* Ludwig II: Glanz und Ende eines Königs...
as Glasmännlein - Paul EsserPaul EsserPaul Esser was a German stage and television actor and voice actor. He is remembered for playing the lead role in the Sender Freies Berlin version of the detective series Tatort....
as Ezechiel - Lotte Loebinger as Peter Munk's Mutter
- Alexander EngelAlexander EngelAlexander Engel was a German film actor. He appeared in 73 films between 1932 and 1968.He was born in Berlin, Germany and died in Saarbrücken, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Heart of Stone...
as Lisbeths Oheim - Hannsgeorg Laubenthal as Hannes
- Karl HellmerKarl HellmerKarl Hellmer was an Austrian film actor. He appeared in 92 films between 1932 and 1969.He was born in Vienna, Austria and died in Berlin, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Ungeküsst soll man nicht schlafen gehn...
as Meister Anton - Walter Tarrach as Amtmann
- Eva ProbstEva ProbstEva Probst is a German actress.Born in Berlin-Kreuzberg, Probst was married to Austrian actor Gerhard Riedmann from 1954 to 1960. In the 1950s she starred in romantic comedy films and Heimatfilme. From its inception in 1992 until the following year she played Jessica Naumann in the German soap...
as Bärbel - Herbert Kiper as Hochzeitslader
- Erwin GeschonneckErwin GeschonneckErwin Geschonneck was a German actor. His biggest success occurred in the German Democratic Republic, where he was considered one of the most famous actors of the time.-Early life:...
as Holländer-Michel - Karl Heinz Deickert as Elias