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Poster for The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

Seen it?

1974 | 109 min | Drama, History

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Belfast or Judgment at Nuremberg, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 49 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1974: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The film follows Kaspar Hauser, who lived the first seventeen years of his life chained in a tiny cellar with only a toy horse to occupy his time, devoid of all human contact except for a man who wears a black overcoat and top hat who feeds him.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 61K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Werner Herzog

  • Bruno S.Kaspar Hauser
  • Walter LadengastProfessor Daumer
  • Brigitte MiraHaushälterin Käthe
  • Willy SemmelroggeRingmaster
  • Kidlat TahimikHombrecito, the Indian
  • Hans MusäusUnknown Man
  • Michael KroecherLord Stanhope
  • Henry van LyckCalvary Captain
  • Enno PatalasPastor Fuhrmann
  • Volker Elis PilgrimPastor #2