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Bearskin (film)

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Der Bärenhäuter
Directed byWalter Beck
Written by
  • Jacob Grimm
  • Wilhelm Grimm
  • Eva Görsch
  • Walter Beck
  • Thea Richter
Starring
CinematographyGünter Heimann
Edited byIlse Peters
Music byGünther Fischer
Release date
  • 24 January 1986 (1986-01-24)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryEast Germany
LanguageGerman

Der Bärenhäuter is an East German movie from the year 1986, based on the fairy tale Bearskin.

Plot

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The war has ended and soldier Christoffel has no future and no money. He does not know what to do, because he meets the devil. He offers him a deal: Christoffel's pockets will always be full of money, but he cannot wash himself for seven years, not the hair and nails and he can sleep in a bed. If he does not comply with all of these things, he will be devoted forever to the devil.

Christoffel accepts the condition.

Suddenly a rich man, Christoffel has nothing to worry about any more. Soon, however, he is lonely. Society shuns him because he's dirty, unkempt and smelly. The only place to stay he can find is a prison.

By paying off the debts of a goldsmith, he wins the heart of Catherine, the man's daughter. However, conscious of his awful appearance, Christoffel leaves her.

After seven years, he returns to her as well-groomed gentleman.

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