The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser
Encyclopedia
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser is a 1974 West German drama film
written and directed by Werner Herzog
about the legend of Kaspar Hauser
. Its original German
title is Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle, which means "Every man for himself and God against them all". (In fact, a sentence taken from the novel
Macunaíma
, by Brazil
ian writer Mário de Andrade
.)
The film follows the real story of Kaspar Hauser quite closely, using the text of actual letters found with Hauser, and following many details in the opening sequence of Hauser's confinement and release. One departure is his age: the historical Hauser was 17 when he was discovered in Nuremberg. The film does not specify Kaspar's age, but Bruno S.
was 41 years old at the time of filming.
), who lived the first seventeen years of his life chained in a tiny cellar with only a toy horse to occupy his time, devoid of all human contact except for a man who wears a black overcoat and top hat who feeds him. One day, in 1828, the same man takes Hauser out of his cell, teaches him a few phrases, and how to walk, before leaving him in the town of Nuremberg
. Hauser becomes the subject of much curiosity, and is exhibited in a circus before being rescued by Herr Daumer (Walter Ladengast
), who patiently attempts to transform him. Hauser soon learns to read and write, and develops unorthodox approaches to logic and religion, but music is what pleases him most. He attracts the attention of academics, clergy, and nobility, but is then physically attacked by the same unknown man who brought him to Nuremberg. The attack leaves him unconscious with a bleeding head. He recovers but is again mysteriously attacked, this time stabbed in the chest. Hauser rests in bed describing visions he has had of nomadic Berbers
in the Sahara Desert, and then dies. An autopsy
reveals an enlarged liver
and cerebellum
.
, despite the fact that he had no training as an actor. Bruno's own life bears some similarities to Kaspar Hauser's, and his own unbalanced personality was often expressed on set. In Herzog's commentary for the English language DVD release, he recalls that Bruno remained in costume for the entire duration of the production, even after shooting was done for the day. Herzog once visited him in his hotel room, to find him sleeping on the floor by the door, in his costume. The outdoor scenes were filmed in the town of Dinkelsbühl
and on a nearby mountain called Hesselberg
.
at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival
, where it won 3 awards including the Grand Prize of the Jury and Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. The film also won three prizes at the German Film Awards in 1975.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
written and directed by Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog Stipetić , known as Werner Herzog, is a German film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and opera director.He is often considered as one of the greatest figures of the New German Cinema, along with Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Margarethe von Trotta, Volker Schlöndorff, Werner...
about the legend of Kaspar Hauser
Kaspar Hauser
Kaspar Hauser was a German youth who claimed to have grown up in the total isolation of a darkened cell. Hauser's claims, and his subsequent death by stabbing, sparked much debate and controversy....
. Its original German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
title is Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle, which means "Every man for himself and God against them all". (In fact, a sentence taken from the novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
Macunaíma
Macunaíma (novel)
Macunaíma is a 1928 novel by Brazilian writer Mário de Andrade. It is one of the founding texts of Brazilian modernism.The novel follows a young man, Macunaíma, "a hero without a character," born in the Brazilian jungle and possessing strange and remarkable abilities , as he travels to São Paulo...
, by Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian writer Mário de Andrade
Mário de Andrade
Mário Raul de Morais Andrade was a Brazilian poet, novelist, musicologist, art historian and critic, and photographer. One of the founders of Brazilian modernism, he virtually created modern Brazilian poetry with the publication of his Paulicéia Desvairada in 1922...
.)
The film follows the real story of Kaspar Hauser quite closely, using the text of actual letters found with Hauser, and following many details in the opening sequence of Hauser's confinement and release. One departure is his age: the historical Hauser was 17 when he was discovered in Nuremberg. The film does not specify Kaspar's age, but Bruno S.
Bruno S.
Bruno Schleinstein was a German film actor, artist, and musician.-Life:Schleinstein was often beaten as a child, and spent much of his youth in mental institutions. He was a largely self-taught musician, who over the years developed considerable skill on the piano, accordion, glockenspiel and...
was 41 years old at the time of filming.
Plot
The film follows Kaspar Hauser (played by Bruno S.Bruno S.
Bruno Schleinstein was a German film actor, artist, and musician.-Life:Schleinstein was often beaten as a child, and spent much of his youth in mental institutions. He was a largely self-taught musician, who over the years developed considerable skill on the piano, accordion, glockenspiel and...
), who lived the first seventeen years of his life chained in a tiny cellar with only a toy horse to occupy his time, devoid of all human contact except for a man who wears a black overcoat and top hat who feeds him. One day, in 1828, the same man takes Hauser out of his cell, teaches him a few phrases, and how to walk, before leaving him in the town of Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
. Hauser becomes the subject of much curiosity, and is exhibited in a circus before being rescued by Herr Daumer (Walter Ladengast
Walter Ladengast
Walter Ladengast was an Austrian film actor. He appeared in 72 films between 1928 and 1979.He was born in Vienna, Austria and died in Munich, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Wunschkonzert * Hanussen...
), who patiently attempts to transform him. Hauser soon learns to read and write, and develops unorthodox approaches to logic and religion, but music is what pleases him most. He attracts the attention of academics, clergy, and nobility, but is then physically attacked by the same unknown man who brought him to Nuremberg. The attack leaves him unconscious with a bleeding head. He recovers but is again mysteriously attacked, this time stabbed in the chest. Hauser rests in bed describing visions he has had of nomadic Berbers
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
in the Sahara Desert, and then dies. An autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
reveals an enlarged liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
and cerebellum
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. It may also be involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language, and in regulating fear and pleasure responses, but its movement-related functions are the most solidly established...
.
Cast
- Bruno S.Bruno S.Bruno Schleinstein was a German film actor, artist, and musician.-Life:Schleinstein was often beaten as a child, and spent much of his youth in mental institutions. He was a largely self-taught musician, who over the years developed considerable skill on the piano, accordion, glockenspiel and...
as Kaspar Hauser - Walter LadengastWalter LadengastWalter Ladengast was an Austrian film actor. He appeared in 72 films between 1928 and 1979.He was born in Vienna, Austria and died in Munich, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Wunschkonzert * Hanussen...
as Professor Daumer - Brigitte MiraBrigitte MiraBrigitte Mira was a German actress. She worked in both theater and film, often with Rainer Werner Fassbinder....
as Kathe, servant - Willy SemmelroggeWilly SemmelroggeWilly Semmelrogge was a German actor. He appeared in 65 films and television shows between 1957 and 1984.-Selected filmography:* The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser * Woyzeck...
as circus director - Michael Kroecher as Lord Stanhope
- Hans Musäus as unknown man
- Marcus Weller
- Gloria Doer as Frau Hiltel
- Volker PrechtelVolker PrechtelVolker Prechtel was a German actor. He appeared in 52 films and television shows between 1974 and 1997.-Selected filmography:* The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser...
as Hiltel the prison guard - Herbert Achternbusch as Bavarian chicken hypnotizer
- Wolfgang Bauer
- Wilhelm Bayer as taunting farmboy
- Franz Brumbach
- Johannes Buzalski
- Helmut Döring as little King
Production
Herzog discovered the lead actor, Bruno S., in a documentary about street musicians. Fascinated, Herzog cast him as the lead in two of his films, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser and StroszekStroszek
Stroszek is a 1977 film by German director Werner Herzog. It was written in four days specifically for Bruno S. and was shot in Berlin, two towns in Wisconsin, and in North Carolina. Most of the lead roles are played by non-actors.-Plot:...
, despite the fact that he had no training as an actor. Bruno's own life bears some similarities to Kaspar Hauser's, and his own unbalanced personality was often expressed on set. In Herzog's commentary for the English language DVD release, he recalls that Bruno remained in costume for the entire duration of the production, even after shooting was done for the day. Herzog once visited him in his hotel room, to find him sleeping on the floor by the door, in his costume. The outdoor scenes were filmed in the town of Dinkelsbühl
Dinkelsbühl
Dinkelsbühl is a historic city in Bavaria, Germany and a former Free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire. Now it belongs to the district of Ansbach, north of Aalen.-History:...
and on a nearby mountain called Hesselberg
Hesselberg
Hesselberg is the highest point in Middle Franconia and the Franconian Jura and is situated 60 km south west of Nuremberg, Germany. The mountain stands isolated and far from the center of the Franconian Jura, in its southwestern border region, 4 km to the north west of Wassertrüdingen...
.
Awards
The film was part of the competition for the Palme d'OrPalme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival
1975 Cannes Film Festival
- Jury :*Jeanne Moreau, President, actress*André Delvaux, director*Anthony Burgess, writer*Fernando Rey, actor*George Roy Hill, director*Gérard Ducaux-Rupp, producer*Léa Massari, actress*Pierre Mazars, journalist*Pierre Salinger, writer...
, where it won 3 awards including the Grand Prize of the Jury and Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. The film also won three prizes at the German Film Awards in 1975.
See also
- Feral childFeral childA feral child is a human child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, and has no experience of human care, loving or social behavior, and, crucially, of human language...
- List of submissions to the 48th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of German submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film