Tsar and Carpenter (1956)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Tsar and carpenter |
| Country of production | GDR |
| original language | German |
| Publishing year | 1956 |
| length | 101 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Hans Müller |
| script | A. Artur Kuhnert |
| production | DEFA |
| music | Albert Lortzing |
| camera | Joachim Hasler |
| cut | Hilde Tegener |
| occupation | |
| |
Zar und Zimmermann is a German opera adaptation of DEFA by Hans Müller from 1956. It is loosely based on the comic opera Zar und Zimmermann by Albert Lortzing .
action
The young Tsar Peter I stayed incognito under the name Peter Michailow in the small Dutch town of Saardam to learn the craft of a shipbuilder as a journeyman carpenter . Together with the deserter Peter Ivanov, he is the only Russian who is involved in the construction of a ship for Peter I. Both Peters are in love with the young Marie, but she cannot decide on either of them.
The presence of the Tsar in Saardam is evident when both the Ambassador of France and the Ambassador of England appear in the city in search of him. Both want to win the tsar over to a treaty with their country. When the mayor van Bett learns of the presence of the tsar, he begins to work on a chorale of homage, even if he is a musical dilettante . As the ambassadors threaten to expose the tsar's incognito, Peter's confidante, Admiral Lefort, orders all foreigners to leave the city. Van Bett, however, carries out the task incorrectly and orders all shipbuilders to the town hall, including the two Peters. While the French ambassador recognized from Peter Michailov's conversation with Lefort that he had to be the right tsar, the English ambassador believed he recognized Peter Ivanov as the tsar. Marie, in turn, hopes that Peter Ivanov is not an envoy and can thus become her lover. When the tsar realizes that his friend is being mistaken for him, he encourages her to take part in the masquerade. At a party held a little later in honor of the shipbuilders, Peter Ivanov presents himself as the tsar and becomes snooty until he receives a slap in the face from Marie. Van Bett insists that he sign a contract with England that would bring him 5000 guilders as mayor. In the end, however, Peter Ivanov is too drunk and is housed in the town hall in the honor room.
Tsar Peter I received news at the Lefort festival that unrest had broken out in Russia and the rebels wanted to see their Tsar - he must now return to Russia as soon as possible. With a heavy heart he goes on board, but Marie looks for him at the port. Here he confesses to her that he is the tsar and asks her to let Peter Ivanov play tsar a little longer. Only in this way could he go on board undetected and go to Russia without the insurgents' knowledge. She agrees and the next morning meets the now sober and confused Peter Ivanov obediently. Van Bett and the English ambassador do not want to believe Peter Ivanov that he is just a shipbuilder, until suddenly shouts are heard that the Russian ship that was built for the tsar is leaving. On board is Tsar Peter I, who has meanwhile concluded the treaty with the French ambassador and is now singing goodbye to the Dutch women. He will employ Peter Ivanov as supervisor of his shipyard in Saint Petersburg and Marie will follow Peter Ivanov as his wife.
production
Zar und Zimmermann , whose production costs amounted to 2.3 million marks, had its premiere on May 18, 1956 in the Babylon cinema in Berlin . He appeared with Eine Berliner Romance and Thomas Müntzer during the festival week for the tenth anniversary of DEFA.
synchronization
The singing of the actors was synchronized:
| role | actor | Singer |
|---|---|---|
| Van bed | Willy A. Kleinau | Heinrich Plantl |
| Peter Mikhailov | Bert Fortell | Josef Metternich |
| Marie | Lore Frisch | Ingeborg Wenglor |
| Peter Ivanov | Günther Haack | Gerhard Unger |
criticism
The contemporary critics praised the photography of the film, so the set is reminiscent of "paintings by old Dutch masters". Other reviewers, on the other hand, criticized “the brightly colored, sometimes somewhat intrusive look of the strip”. Frank-Burkhard Habel felt that the film was an “opera adaptation skilfully translated into film”.
The lexicon of international film called the film “pleasantly turned towards the familiar melodies and the colorful folk hustle and bustle in the Dutch costume of the 16th century. Outstanding: the vital portrayal of the mayor. "
The Protestant film observer drew the following conclusion: “Produced with a lot of artistic and technical effort. Even if not completely satisfactory in every detail, it is generally recommended as good, cheerful entertainment for those aged 15 and over. "
literature
- F.-B. Habel : The great lexicon of DEFA feature films . Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-89602-349-7 , pp. 702-703 .
Web links
- Zar und Zimmermann in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Zar and Zimmermann at filmportal.de
- Zar and Zimmermann at the DEFA Foundation
Individual evidence
- ^ Ralf Schenk (Red.), Filmmuseum Potsdam (Hrsg.): The second life of the film city Babelsberg. DEFA feature films 1946–1992 . Henschel, Berlin 1994, p. 90.
- ↑ See defa.de
- ^ Peter Edel in: BZ am Abend , May 29, 1956.
- ↑ EK in: Neues Deutschland , June 1, 1956.
- ↑ F.-B. Habel : The great lexicon of DEFA feature films . Schwarzkopf & Schwarzkopf, Berlin 2000, ISBN 3-89602-349-7 , pp. 702 .
- ↑ Tsar and Carpenter. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed August 2, 2018 .
- ↑ Ev. Munich Press Association, Review No. 451/1956