Tales of Hoffmann (1916)
This movie, directed by Richard Oswald, is based on the operetta "Les contes de Hoffmann" by Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880), which is a genial musical potpourri from various short stories and novels by the Prussian writer, composer, painter, lawyer and judge E.T.A. Hoffmann (1776-1822). While Hoffmann's literary work was longtime considered to be merely fantastical, it was finally researched, in the last years, according to its metaphysical background. Characteristic for Hoffmann's work is his life-long fight against rationalism and for the revelation of nature morte, culminating mostly in carnival-like scenes anticipating literary techniques only described in the works of Bachtin and Bachelard.
Director: Richard Oswald
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Kurt Wolowsky as junger Hoffmann |
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Max Ruhbeck as Onkel |
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Paula Ronay as Tante |
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Werner Krauss as Conte Dapertutto |
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Friedrich Kühne as Coppelius, Brillenhändler |
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Lupu Pick as Spalanzani, Direktor eines Museums |
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Ernst Ludwig as Rat Crespel |
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Nelly Ridon as Frau Rat Crespel |
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Ruth Oswald as kleine Antonia |
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Andreas Van Horn as Dr. Mirakel |
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Erich Kaiser-Titz as E.T.A. Hoffmann |
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Ferdinand Bonn as Stadtrat Lindorf |
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Käte Oswald as Schauspielerin |
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Alice Hechy as Olympia, Automat |
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Thea Sandten as Giulietta |
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Louis Neher as Schlemihl |
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Ressel Orla as |
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Richard Oswald as |
| Directing | Richard Oswald | Director |
| Writing | Richard Oswald | Writer |
| Writing | Fritz Friedmann-Frederich | Writer |
| Writing | E. T. A. Hoffmann | Story |