Der Struwwelpeter (1955): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1955, Der Struwwelpeter is a fantasy and family film directed by Fritz Genschow, running about 79 minutes.

What it’s about. Der Struwwelpeter is a popular German children's book. It comprises of ten illustrated and rhymed stories, mostly about children. Each has a clear moral that demonstrates the disastrous consequences of misbehavior in an exaggerated way. Writer/director Fritz Genschow adapted Hoffmann's book to the big screen. He made a career doing such films, he had done Hansel and Gretel and would go on to adapt Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and other family films. Der Struwwelpeter, however, is weirder and darker than the Grimms' tales. They are heavy morality lessons in which children are burned to death, starved to death, or have their thumbs cut off. In Hoffmann's world the punishment usually far outweighs the crime. Genschow provided a happy ending: through the wonders of reverse action children are brought back from their fiery deaths, their thumbs are reattached, and their misdeeds undone through the power of St. Nicholas and some sort of Christmas miracle. (via forcesofgeek.com)

Who’s in it. Der Struwwelpeter stars Fredy Kaindl as Struwwelpeter, Traute Höhnisch as Paulinchen, Eric Canso as Friedrich and Renée Stobrawa.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, Der Struwwelpeter 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 Der Struwwelpeter page.

If you liked it. Fans of Der Struwwelpeter tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.