The Making of a King (1935)
"Der alte und der junge König - Friedrichs des Grossen Jugend" (original title)

The story of the stormy relationship between King Friedrich Wilhelm and his son, who later became known as King Frederick the Great of Prussia.

Director:

Hans Steinhoff

Writers:

Rolf Lauckner, Thea von Harbou

Stars:

Emil Jannings, Werner Hinz, Leopoldine Konstantin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emil Jannings	...	Friedrich Wilhelm I. König von Preussen
Werner Hinz	...	Kronprinz Friedrich ('Fritz')
Leopoldine Konstantin	...	Königin Sophie Dorothee
Claus Clausen	...	Leutnant Hans Hermann von Katte
Marieluise Claudius	...	Prinzessin Wilhelmine
Carola Höhn	...	Kronprinzessin
Ellen Frank	...	Gräfin Arnim
Ruth Eweler	...	Frl. von Sonsfeld
Emilia Unda	...	Frau von Ramen
Luise Morland	...	Frau von Kamecke (as Luise Moorland)
Georg Alexander	...	Erbprinz von Bayreuth
Egon Brosig	...	2. Wucherer
Albert Florath	...	Pfarrer
Harry Hardt	...	Von Seckendorff
Knut Hartwig

Storyline

The story of the stormy relationship between King Friedrich Wilhelm and his son, who later became known as King Frederick the Great of Prussia.

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Plot Keywords:

prussia | king | germany

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

9 December 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Making of a King

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deka Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

A great Emil Jannings classics ,inspite of the period

Boy! was Emil Jannings a very mean, tough king,Friederich Wilhelm.The plot was that The king of Prussia was trying to make a man out of his oldest son,Crown Prince Fritz, played by Werner Hinz,who looks a little like Horst Kaspar. His mother is played by Leopoldine Konstatin, who played the lesbian suggestively in the 1936 Un Du Mein Fahrts Mit,as Sophie Dorothee,I think there was a Technicolor British film about Queen Sophie but I forgot the title.But the Situation is out of her hands between her son and husband.Add German stalwart character actors like Albert Florath,in a white curly long hair wig ,as the minister.George, or Gayorgee, Alexander as a sissy type Prince,of Bayreuth, Wearing a Red Curly long hair wig, far from the Valentino style he wears normally. The king hates this.Later on the prince shown up at the kings smoke and get drunk club with is friends,as more of a macho Prince,with a white ponytail wig,Who gets blasted in the party.Add Paul Henckels ,who show up later in the show and you got a round U.f.a. cast.The king is so mad at his Son just wanting pleasure, instead of being a King.He has his friend Hans Katte, played by Claus Clausen,"Katie went to Haiti"!",who's a lieutenant.He trick his son to sigh for his friends execution.In real life the kings son was gay and that was his lover. Even with change the film maker took a risk in being sent to a concentration camp exploring male intimacy, which Hitler opposed.Frederick Kayssler, of the German version of so long at the Fair,Stolen Tracks,plays Katte's father.He is heart broken to be forced to agree with the execution.Fritz ends up bending to his fathers will.Emil was good as the mean king of Prussia.Yet this character could be gentle.Werner's character in the beginning is tough against his father,but later turns into wimp.This is one of th many propaganda films that are legal in Germany.Cause from their stand point it very subtle 04/20/12