Heidi (1968) (TV)

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Earl Hamner Jr. (writer)
Johanna Spyri (novel)

Release Date:

17 November 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot Keywords:

Grandfather Granddaughter Relationship | Goat | Swiss Alps | Family Relationships | Governess

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Maximilian Schell	...	Herr Richard Sesemann
Jean Simmons	...	Fräulein Rottenmeier
Jennifer Edwards	...	Heidi
Michael Redgrave	...	Heidi's grandfather
Walter Slezak	...	Father Richter
Peter van Eyck	...	Doctor Raboux
Karl Lieffen	...	Sebastian, the Butler
Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel	...	Grandmother
Miriam Spoerri	...	Dete
John Moulder-Brown	...	Peter
Zuleika Robson	...	Klara
John Crawley	...	Klaus

Also Known As:

Heidi kehrt heim (West Germany)

Runtime:

Germany:96 min | USA:105 min

Country:

West Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:6 (f)

Company:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Trivia:

This was the TV adaptation of "Heidi" that, through no fault of its own, became embroiled in a U.S. broadcasting brouhaha known to this day as the "Heidi Bowl." On Sunday, 17 Nov 1968, the NBC television network was scheduled to begin airing "Heidi" at 7pm Eastern Standard Time, following coverage of an American Football League game between the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders. The game ran long; however, with the Jets leading the Raiders, 32-29, NBC broke away to begin "Heidi" on schedule. During the unseen remaining minute of play, Oakland managed to score two touchdowns, and ended up beating New York, 43-32. Outraged football fans inundated NBC switchboards. The network expressed regret, saying it had intended to stay with the game until it ended, and blaming a series of miscommunications for the gaffe. A result of this fiasco is that National Football League television contracts require games to be televised in their entirety.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops (2004) (TV)

Good cast wasted in one dimensional roles

Actually the cast were stunning, Jean Simmons, Michael Redgrave, Maximilian Schell. The scenery was spectacular also. However the grandfather's role was too thin, there should have been more depth to his character apart from a guy who did not want his daughter to ever leave and as a result refused to play the organ again and lived as a recluse. Some of the scenes between Heidi and her grandfather and uncle are quite touching. Jean Simmons is wonderful and makes the most of her part as a governess in love with the uncle. 6 out of 10 by me, 9 out of 10 from the child in my life.