The Clown (1976): cast, story & where to watch
1976 · Film · ★ 5.5
Released in 1976, The Clown is a drama film directed by Vojtěch Jasný, running about 111 minutes.
What it’s about. Based on the best-selling novel by Nobel-laureate Heinrich Böll, this drama is a passionate indictment of Catholicism. Hans Schnier (Helmut Griem) has earned his living as a clown, though he is in fact a very covert sort of social critic. After enduring a difficult childhood in Bonn during the Second World War, including his mother's fanatic Nazism, he is appalled to discover many of the people he knows and loves swept deeply into involvement in the Catholic Church.
Who’s in it. The Clown stars Helmut Griem as Hans Schnier, Hanna Schygulla as Marie, Eva Maria Meineke as The Mother and Hans Christian Blech as Derkum, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, The Clown 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 The Clown page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Clown tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Clown (1976)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Clown change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Clown worth watching?
- The Clown holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Clown?
- The Clown stars Helmut Griem, Hanna Schygulla, Eva Maria Meineke, Hans Christian Blech and Jan Niklas.
- When was The Clown released?
- The Clown was released in 1976, with a runtime of about 111 minutes.