The Fat and the Lean (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 6.2
Released in 1961, The Fat and the Lean is a notable film directed by Roman Polanski, running about 15 minutes.
What it’s about. A small and thin barefoot slave (played by Polanski) plays a flute and beats a drum to entertain his large master who rocks in a rocking chair in front of his mansion. The slave jumps and leaps like a madman, wipes his master's brow, feeds him, washes his feet, shades him from the sun with an umbrella and holds a urinal for him.
Who’s in it. The Fat and the Lean stars André Katelbach as the fat and Roman Polanski as the lean.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, The Fat and the Lean has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Fat and the Lean page.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Fat and the Lean (1961)?
- In US, The Fat and the Lean is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Fat and the Lean worth watching?
- The Fat and the Lean holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Fat and the Lean?
- The Fat and the Lean stars André Katelbach and Roman Polanski.