Once upon a time (1949-89), there was a little country called DDR (aka East Germany). It wasn't rich nor mighty, but one the nicer things made there were DEFA movies :) The first Thursday in a month has become special for me, as on that day SuperIllu magazine comes out with a DVD carrying a good old DDR or Soviet movie, fairy tales in this season. Today I brought home Dornröschen. Some 15..20 years ago I read that fairy tale to my daughters who are grown up now, and now at age 52 I discover I can still take quite some delight in this DEFA movie of 1971.
Apart from the somewhat faded colors in some scenes, it was very enjoyable for me, especially the music - partly gently jazzy, partly ceremonial yet swinging baroque, throw in something like a folk song.. Costumes were quite something to look at, maybe eclectic between "historic" and "modern".. But they took care to express the passage of 100 years with a distinct change in fashion. Dialogues were decent enough, as was the acting (especially the ceremonies at the king's court). The only actor I knew was Jaecki Schwarz (role not credited, but I'm fairly sure he was the arrogant prince in the country inn).
The eagle's nest scene is not in the original Grimm tale, but added some mild suspense, done with good camera work.
Call me weird, but I really enjoyed this film - a welcome change in my movie nutrition. For me at least, it exudes magic (much more so than Schneewittchen). The only disappointment: the extra puppet short announced on the (downloaded) DVD cover wasn't there, but replaced by a trailer show of Soviet fairy tale movies. Still: a lovely experience out of this 2009 world. May DEFA movies live happily for their viewers ever after!
Apart from the somewhat faded colors in some scenes, it was very enjoyable for me, especially the music - partly gently jazzy, partly ceremonial yet swinging baroque, throw in something like a folk song.. Costumes were quite something to look at, maybe eclectic between "historic" and "modern".. But they took care to express the passage of 100 years with a distinct change in fashion. Dialogues were decent enough, as was the acting (especially the ceremonies at the king's court). The only actor I knew was Jaecki Schwarz (role not credited, but I'm fairly sure he was the arrogant prince in the country inn).
The eagle's nest scene is not in the original Grimm tale, but added some mild suspense, done with good camera work.
Call me weird, but I really enjoyed this film - a welcome change in my movie nutrition. For me at least, it exudes magic (much more so than Schneewittchen). The only disappointment: the extra puppet short announced on the (downloaded) DVD cover wasn't there, but replaced by a trailer show of Soviet fairy tale movies. Still: a lovely experience out of this 2009 world. May DEFA movies live happily for their viewers ever after!