The Captain from Kopenick

1956 1h 33m DE

👍

7.3

SOLID

⭐

7.2

IMDB

★7.3TMDB · 59★7.2IMDB · 1,981

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A young shoemaker is arrested for stealing a small amount of money, and is jailed for fifteen years. Upon his release, he wants to get a permit to get a job and start anew, but finds that without a job he can't get a permit, and without a permit he can't get a job. Ensnared in the absurd net of Prussian bureaucracy, he can't see any way out. That is, until he enters a thrift shop and spots a Prussian officer's uniform that fits him like a second skin...

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Heinz Rühmann
Wilhelm Voigt
Martin Held
Dr. Obermüller
Hannelore Schroth
Mathilde Obermüller
Willy A. Kleinau
Friedrich Hoprecht
Leonard Steckel
Adolph Wormser
Friedrich Domin
Zuchthausdirektor
Erich Schellow
Capt. von Schlettow
Walter Giller
Willy Wormser

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Helmut Käutner
Writers: Carl Zuckmayer, Helmut Käutner
Languages: German
Countries: Germany

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

70 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Helmut Käutner, shot by Albert Benitz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Bernhard Eichhorn. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Klaus Dudenhöfer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Heinz Rühmann and Martin Held and Hannelore Schroth carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0049293 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 59 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Helmut Käutner directs. Albert Benitz behind the camera. Bernhard Eichhorn scores. Klaus Dudenhöfer cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Germany. Dialogue in German.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

170 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Directed by Helmut Käutner, shot by Albert Benitz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Bernhard Eichhorn. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Klaus Dudenhöfer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Heinz Rühmann and Martin Held and Hannelore Schroth carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0049293 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 59 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.