The Kaiser's Lackey
Der Untertan
Synopsis
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...
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Der Untertan - DEFA-TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2014-12-02
Top Cast
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Werner Peters
Diederich Heßling
Paul Esser
Regierungspräsident von Wulckow
Blandine Ebinger
Frau von Wulckow
Renate Fischer
Guste Daimchen
Carola Braunbock
Emmi Heßling
Emmy Burg
Magda Heßling
Sabine Thalbach
Agnes Göppel
Friedel Nowack
Mrs. Göpel
Friedrich Maurer
Göpel
Erich Nadler
Father Heßling
Gertrud Bergmann
Mother Heßling
Ernst Legal
Zillich
Raimund Schelcher
Dr. Wolfgang Buck
Eduard von Winterstein
Buck sen.
Hannsgeorg Laubenthal
Mahlmann
Friedrich Gnaß
Napoleon Fischer
Wolfgang Kühne
Dr. Mennicke
Fritz Staudte
Kühlemann
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Wolfgang Staudte
- Screenplay & Story
- Wolfgang Staudte, Fritz Staudte
- Original Score
- Horst Hans Sieber
- Original Title
- Der Untertan
- Country of Origin
- East Germany
- Spoken Languages
- German
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Production Studios
- DEFA
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Wolfgang Staudte
Wolfgang Staudte, Fritz Staudte, Heinrich Mann
Horst Hans Sieber
Robert Baberske
Johanna Rosinski
Department Leadership Roster
Wolfgang Staudte
Director
Wolfgang Staudte
Screenplay
Fritz Staudte
Screenplay
Johanna Rosinski
Editor
Robert Baberske
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Kaiser's Lackey
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Kaiser's Lackey about?
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...
Who directed The Kaiser's Lackey?
The Kaiser's Lackey was directed by Wolfgang Staudte.
Who stars in The Kaiser's Lackey?
The principal cast of The Kaiser's Lackey includes Werner Peters, Paul Esser, Blandine Ebinger, Renate Fischer, Carola Braunbock.
When was The Kaiser's Lackey released and how long is it?
The Kaiser's Lackey was released in 1951 with a total runtime of 1h 49m.
Who composed the musical score for The Kaiser's Lackey?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Kaiser's Lackey was composed by Horst Hans Sieber.
Is The Kaiser's Lackey based on a book or true story?
The Kaiser's Lackey is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Heinrich Mann".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Kaiser's Lackey?
The Kaiser's Lackey holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.).