One of the best-kept secrets of the Cold War was East Germany's production of a series of marvelous fairy tale films for children. More than forty full-length fairy tale films were produced by the DEFA film studios between... more » 1946 and 1990. These films emphasize the profound humanitarian aspects of works by The Brother?s Grimm, Hans Christian Andrerson and writers such as Bettina and Gisela von Armin, and Wilhelm Hauff. In addition DEFA adapted Mongolian, Ugrian and Arabian tales for the screen in an effort to go beyond the European tradition and introduce children to stories of common people from around the world. The fairy tale productions of East Germany are films that the German people as well as all Europeans?adult and child alike-- simply LOVED, in the same way Americans feel about The Wizard of Oz. Unlike American animated films, the DEFA films always used live characters in realistic settings that recall the historical background of the tales. But this realism quickly became fantastical and magical as the films blend imaginative plots with messages that stimulated young people to think about social issues involving greed, vanity, envy, tyranny, racism, exploitation and hypocrisy. The lessons are not didactic or preachy but instead arise magically and comically from the innovative telling. They contain no graphic violence and stress that human beings are capable of change for the better.
THE STORY OF LITTLE MOOK premiered on 29 December 1953. It remains one of the most successful German (not just DEFA, not just fairy tale) films ever made . Over 13 million have viewed Little Mook in over 75 countries. In the lavish and enchanting settings of the Arabian Nights, every scene, every word, every melody, every detail exudes imagination and feeling. In this tale, an old man named Mook tells the local children the story of his life in order to make them aware that their ruthless behavior smacks of anti-Semitism. Gradually the children learn to respect the man they had once mistreated as they learn that Mook, who was an orphan, used magical gifts to help his friends. This is the original, uncut version, digitally remastered and presented in the U.S. American version. THE SINGING, RINGING TREE has been watched by over 5 million people and enjoys veritable cult status in England today. To win the love of a beautiful but conceited princess, a prince sets out to find the singing, ringing tree which she deeply desires. But there is one catch: the princess has to declare her love for the prince before sunset! This film was disliked by GDR Party officials as it was seen to promote dangerous "idealisms" and a "petit-bourgeois way of thinking." Fairy tale productions that followed this film towed the established party line more faithfully. The adaptation of Grimm?s THE DEVIL? S THREE GOLDEN HAIRS, tells the story of a peasant boy named Jakob who avoids a death sentence by the king and then uses his wits to outsmart the devil and win the king?s daughter as his bride. In THE GOLDEN GOOSE, the amusing adaptation of the classic tale, A goose with feathers made of pure gold! Claus, a good-hearted shoemaker, receives it as a gift for his kindness. Not only does the goose look unusual, it also possesses most unusual qualities.« less
