Reich mir die Hand, mein Leben (1955): Besetzung, Handlung & Streaming

Released in 1955, Reich mir die Hand, mein Leben is a drama and musik film directed by Karl Hartl, running about 87 minutes.

What it’s about. This movie takes place during the premiere of Mozart's Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute). Not really depicting his entire life and loves, much of this is fictionalized scatology. Although not without basis in fact, Mozart has attained a somewhat colorful reputation and this is really just more of the same. The music is a joy, but the movie bogs down in titillation. Mozart's last days were lived in poverty and disgrace--stemming chiefly from his embracing of the Freemason stance, which was essentially a heresy in Austria and the rest of Europe at that time. None of this is depicted and even a satyr could not sustain the lifestyle Mozart has been portrayed as having here. Still, this is an interesting movie and worth a listen to.

Who’s in it. Reich mir die Hand, mein Leben stars Oskar Werner as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johanna Matz as Annie Gottlieb, Gertrud Kückelmann as Constanze Mozart geb. Weber and Nadja Tiller as Aloysia Weber, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Reich mir die Hand, mein Leben has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Reich mir die Hand, mein Leben page.

If you liked it. Fans of Reich mir die Hand, mein Leben tend to enjoy Die Verurteilten, Der Pate, Schindlers Liste and Der Pate - Teil II.