(EUFF) Film Review #60: THE ROBBER HOTZENPLOTZ [Screened on 21 May 2023]
European Film Festival 2023
Film Review #60 [Switzerland]: The Robber Hotzenplotz | DER RÄUBER HOTZENPLOTZ
*This film review may contain plot spoilers, reader discretion is advised.*
The Robber Hotzenplotz is fun, playful, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Packed full with running jokes and great comedic timing, I found myself constantly chuckling, and feeling like a kid again as I embarked on this adventure of a movie.
The movie is based on a German children’s tale of the same name by Otfried Preußler. The premise is simple: When the robber Hotzenplotz (Nicholas Ofczarek) steals grandmother's (Hedi Kriegeskotte) coffee grinder, Kasperl (Hans Marquardt) and his friend Seppel (Benedikt Jenke) set out to get it back from him.
No great children’s adventure book is complete without its villains, and I enjoyed the brief exploration into Hotzenplotz’s backstory. His dad, a looming figure in his life, leaves big “robber” shoes to fill. Hurt people hurt people. While it doesn’t excuse the stealing, kidnapping and other generally horrible things, it does bring some humanity into Hotzenplotz, and he comes across as a well-meaning robber. He doesn’t
want
you to feel bad, he’ll give you a blanket to keep warm while he keeps you locked up in chains!
The other villain in the story is a great sorcerer with a flying coat, and as far as villains go, Zwackelmann (August Diehl) is a straightforward one. He goes to many lengths to find a servant just to… wait for it… peel potatoes. Yep, that’s right. Potatoes. You might ask, as Kasperl rightly does, why doesn't he just wave his wand to get peeled potatoes? Great question, because “why would he?” His love for potatoes (boiled, fried) is so earnest that I briefly wondered what potato-filled past he must have had. One can even commend him for wanting to make a meal from scratch and doing it the ‘hard’ way, when he could just get what would satisfy him at the snap of a finger. Of course, the spell of sympathy is broken once you see how he traps Kasperl and has no hesitation to turn people into animals based on a whim. Also, the eyes in the tower are genuinely terrifying, that’s the stuff of nightmares.
It’s easier, then, to root for Kasperl, as he outsmarts Zwackelmann. First, deceiving both Hotzenplotz and Zwacklemann into believing that he’s as dumb as a rock (he’s not). Then, he figures out how to outsmart an enchanted castle, find a fairy herb and fly on a magic coat. He is every child’s hero, outwitting adults and saving the day.
But if Kasperl is the brains, Seppel is the heart. The real gem of a lesson is the constant kindness shown to Hotzenplotz by Seppel. Even though he is kidnapped, Seppel doesn’t judge Hotzenplotz on his line of work, has empathy for him, and eventually saves him in the end. He’s also the one to convince Kasperl to share their wishes with others, because they are already content.
I loved how their iconic hats were woven into the story
Overall, this is a sweet film that enjoys a good adventure, with toad fairies, evil wizards, magic crystal balls and a good message. It’s everything a kids adventure should be, and now I’m kind of craving potatoes. It’s an exciting film to keep this tale alive for all adventure seeking kids, and I hope I get to see more of the adventures Hotzenplotz gets up to.
About the Author: When not reading letterboxd’ reviews or watching fan-made videos, Elisabeth talks about movies and tv shows on her podcast Critical Cliches.
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This review was written as part of a series of reviews by SFS writers for European Film Festival 2023.
For more films and info on EUFF 2023, visit the official website:
https://www.euff.com.sg/
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About European Film Festival 2023:
The European Film Festival (EUFF) is an annual event that showcases a curated selection of European films. The films showcased in this festival may belong to a specific country, but they are all representative of Europe’s shared cultural heritage. EUFF is a window into the intriguing world of European cinema and also offers a platform to young Singaporean film-makers.
For more about
The Grandson:
https://www.euff.com.sg/film/switzerland/the-robber-hotzenplotz-der-rauber-hotzenplotz
About the Movie:
Advisory: PG
Directed by: Michael Krummenacher
Cast: Nicholas Ofczarek, Hans Marquardt, Benedikt Jenke, August Diehl, Hedi Kriegeskotte, Christiane Paul, Olli Dittrich, Luna Wedler
Year: 2022
Duration: 1h 46m
Language: Swiss-German
Subtitles: English
Synopsis:
When the infamous Robber Hotzenplotz leaves his hideout in the forest to steal a beloved musical coffee grinder belonging to Kasperl's grandmother, the town's clumsy police sergeant proves to be of little help with arresting him. The young Kasperl and his friend Seppel decide that they will track down the thief themselves, but stopping him will not be easy - especially when Hotzenplotz involves the wicked magician Petrosilius who lives in a terrifying castle where he will imprison our heroes. Joined by a fairy-turned-toad, Kasperl and Seppel must escape the castle, catch the two vicious crooks, and bring the coffee grinder back to Kasperl's beloved grandmother.
This review was written as part of a series of reviews by SFS writers for European Film Festival 2023.
For more films and info on EUFF 2023, visit the official website:
https://www.euff.com.sg/
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