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The Kaiser's Lackey
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The Kaiser's Lackey

1951-08-31 · 109 min · ★ 6.7

Drama · History · Comedy

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...

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Production details

Directors
Wolfgang Staudte
Production companies
DEFA
Countries
East Germany
Status
Released

Top Cast

Werner PetersWerner PetersDiederich Heßling
Paul EsserPaul EsserRegierungspräsident von Wulckow
Blandine EbingerBlandine EbingerFrau von Wulckow
Renate FischerGuste Daimchen
Carola BraunbockCarola BraunbockEmmi Heßling
Emmy BurgMagda Heßling
Sabine ThalbachSabine ThalbachAgnes Göppel
Friedel NowackFriedel NowackMrs. Göpel
Friedrich MaurerFriedrich MaurerGöpel
Erich NadlerErich NadlerFather Heßling
Gertrud BergmannMother Heßling
Ernst LegalErnst LegalZillich
Raimund SchelcherRaimund SchelcherDr. Wolfgang Buck
Eduard von WintersteinBuck sen.
Hannsgeorg LaubenthalHannsgeorg LaubenthalMahlmann
Friedrich GnaßFriedrich GnaßNapoleon Fischer
Wolfgang KühneDr. Mennicke
Fritz StaudteKühlemann
Wolfgang Heisevon Brietzen
Axel TriebelMajor Kunze

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