Movie spotlight
Erich Kästner’s beloved novel has been adapted for film or television six times since its publication in 1929; this 1935 British version was the first in English. Believed lost for decades, it was recently rediscovered by the BFI and has now been restored. The film moves the action from Berlin to London, where Emil goes to stay with his grandmother and cousin. Thereafter, the tale of Emil’s adventures with a gang of streetwise London children faithfully follows the original plot.
A young boy named Emil travels to Berlin to deliver money to his grandmother. Along the way, the money is stolen by a pickpocket. Emil, with the help of a group of resourceful children he meets, sets out to track down the thief and recover the stolen cash. Their investigation leads them through the bustling streets and hidden corners of the city as they work together to outsmart the adult criminals.
The 1935 film adaptation of Erich Kästner's novel was a significant production in German cinema. It was praised for its faithful adaptation of the beloved children's book and its engaging portrayal of childhood resourcefulness and camaraderie. Despite being made during a politically charged era in Germany, the film is generally remembered for its charming storytelling and entertaining plot.
Praised for its faithful adaptation of the source material.
Appreciated for its charming depiction of youthful determination.
Seen as an entertaining family adventure.
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This film is the first of three German film adaptations of Erich Kästner's novel "Emil und die Detektive," with subsequent versions released in 1954 and 1964.
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John Williams is "Emil", a young lad who is the victim of a robbery whilst travelling on a train to visit his grandmother. Suspicious of the "Man in the Bowler Hat" (George Hayes) it falls to him and group of London street urchins to recove...