The Kaiser's Lackey (1951): cast, story & where to watch
1951 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 1951, The Kaiser's Lackey is a comedy, drama and history film directed by Wolfgang Staudte, running about 109 minutes.
What it’s about. Diederich Heßling is scared of everything and everyone. But as he grows up, he comes to realize that he has to offer his services to the powers-that-be if he wants to wield power himself. His life motto now runs: bow to those at the top and tread on those below. In this way, he always succeeds: as a student in a duel-fighting student fraternity and as a businessman in a paper factory. He cajoles the obese district administrative president Von Wulkow and wins his favor. He slanders his financial rivals and hatches a plot with the social democrats in the town council. On his honeymoon with his rich wife Guste, he finally finds a chance to do his beloved Kaiser a favor. And when a memorial to the Kaiser is unveiled in the town where Diederich lives and works, he delivers the address. He stands behind the lectern in the pouring rain, saluting his Kaiser. The crowd is dispersed. Everything is laid in ruins...
Who’s in it. The Kaiser's Lackey stars Werner Peters as Diederich Heßling, Paul Esser as Regierungspräsident von Wulckow, Blandine Ebinger as Frau von Wulckow and Renate Fischer as Guste Daimchen, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, The Kaiser's Lackey 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 Kaiser's Lackey page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Kaiser's Lackey tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Kaiser's Lackey (1951)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Kaiser's Lackey change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Kaiser's Lackey worth watching?
- The Kaiser's Lackey holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Kaiser's Lackey?
- The Kaiser's Lackey stars Werner Peters, Paul Esser, Blandine Ebinger, Renate Fischer and Carola Braunbock.
- When was The Kaiser's Lackey released?
- The Kaiser's Lackey was released in 1951, with a runtime of about 109 minutes.