Der Untertan

1951 [GERMAN]

Comedy / Drama

2
IMDb Rating 7.3/10 10 1010 1K

Director

Wolfgang Staudte Photo
Wolfgang Staudte

Top cast

Johannes Maus Photo
Johannes Maus as Mann
Harry Riebauer Photo
Harry Riebauer as (uncredited)
Friedrich Richter Photo
Friedrich Richter as Fabrikbesitzer Lauer
Werner Peters Photo
Werner Peters as Diederich Heßling
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
1000.9 MB
960*720
German 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 48 min
Seeds 3
1.81 GB
1440*1080
German 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 48 min
Seeds ...

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by planktonrules 8 / 10

An interesting interpretation of German history

To fully understand "The Kaiser's Lackey" (of "Man of Straw"), you need to understand who made the film and the purpose of it. This is an East German film and in the view of the German Democratic Republic (the Soviet-controlled East Germans), the enemies of the State are the upper and middle classes--particularly those who control the means of production (this is from Socialism 101 as taught by Professor Marx). So, the film looks at the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II as a struggle between the workers and these ultra-nationalists--in a single representative town and featuring a particularly nasty and soul-less man (Diederich Heßling). The film follows Heßling from his childhood to adulthood--during which he used his position and privilege to exploit or ignore those beneath him, while sucking up to all those above him in the social system.While not obviously funny when you watch it today, the film is social satire. Naturally, the film was the party line in East Germany and was embraced. However, its reinterpretation of history (which ignored liberal reforms and blamed the Prussian middle-class and militarism on the Nazis) did not sit well in the West--especially since West Germany was being rebuilt and molded by the middle and upper classes. Because of this, the film was at first suppressed and only allowed to be released with a few judicious edits---most of which seem very harmless today but which were fuel for the Cold War at the time. Much of this analysis is NOT because I am some sort of a genius--the special features on the DVD featured a professor from UMass-Amhearst that analyzed and explained the film--something that you should definitely see.Well acted and thought-provoking. While its history lesson is a bit simplistic, it is well made and quite compelling.
Reviewed by mingus_x 10 / 10

As great as Fritz Lang's "M"

This is a must see movie. Werner Peters and all the other cast members deliver superb performances. It has got an ensemble of top german character actors playing together on the same high level as we are used to get from the best of Preston Sturges' movies.The photography of Robert Baberske is a sheer delight, both lighting and framing are masterly done.If you have enjoyed Fritz Lang's "M" than you certainly will enjoy this one. The appeal of the story and characters may a bit more specific german, but the moral and "message" is timeless and is true to all western societies.Comedic film jewels like this are not made anymore - this makes it even less understandable that there is no DVD version around yet. (I know for certain that a top notch flawless negative for a digital transfer exists !!!)
Reviewed by jaybob 7 / 10

A biting wicked satire about Imperial Germany era of Wilhem 11

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