User reviews

Director Kurt Hoffmann already made a film adaptation of Curt Goetz' play in 1953 with Goetz himself in the lead (qv). The script of this adaptation is more elaborated, that is: it shows the events before the trial starts. The set-up of the film is remarkable: the set-design is very unrealistic: there are no real walls or streets etc, the grass is definitely out of plastic, everything is artificial; the main colour in this colour film is white. In this way Hoffmann tries to set the mood of the play - romantic humanity and human dignity - against that of a rational environment.

The idea of the set-design is fine and the design is beautifully executed (and photographed), however in the end Hoffmann does not really combines this with the play; it remains an idea. The play is still there in its almost original form and long dialogues; either the writers or Hoffmann were/was able to make the design an intrinsic part of the play, that should have been almost re-written to achieve this.

Still with Heinz Rühmann and Liselotte Pulver in the lead this still is a very enjoyable film, though with his first adaptation Hoffmann made a better film.

... it is all hocus pocus! Honestly, the film is a farce in the positive sense of the word and should be treated as such. The very unusual set designs constantly underline this fact. Liselotte Pulver and Heinz Rühmann are brilliant in their roles and only a few supporting actors can really hold up to them. There are some plot holes as other reviewers already pointed out, but this is a comedy, not a real courtroom drama. The overall look is fascinating, with white as the dominant color, even the courtroom is bathed in bright light, to remind us: this is not about crime and punishment but foremost about art, reception and the art market.