Even Dwarfs Started Small (1970)

A group of dwarfs at a correctional facility erupt in anarchy.

Director:

Werner Herzog

Writer:

Werner Herzog

Stars:

Helmut Döring, Paul Glauer, Gisela Hertwig

Cast

Cast overview:
Helmut Döring	...	Hombré
Paul Glauer	...	Erzieher
Gisela Hertwig	...	Pobrecita
Hertel Minkner	...	Chicklets
Gertrud Piccini	...	Piccini
Marianne Saar	...	Theresa
Brigitte Saar	...	Cochina
Gerd Gickel	...	Pepe
Erna Gschwendtner	...	Azucar
Gerhard Maerz	...	Territory
Alfredo Piccini	...	Anselmo
Erna Smollarz	...	Schweppes
Lajos Zsarnoczay	...	Chapparo
Pepi Hermine	...	The President

Storyline

A group of inhabitants of a correctional colony for people of small stature raises a riot against the local order. Tired of adhering to the many rules that require good behavior from them, they decide to become bad. Their immediate leader (also a dwarf) is forced to take refuge in one of the premises while waiting for the police to arrive. Meanwhile, the rioters are having fun: they beat dishes and glasses, start a car and eventually break it, kill a big pig, scoff at blind dwarfs living next door, arrange cockfights, set fire to flowerpots with their favorite colors, and so on.

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Plot Keywords:

actor injured | rebellion | chaos | dwarf | actual animal killed | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Extracts of the screenplay that are featured on the German DVD say: "The title for the film is a pure 'working title'. It has nothing to do with the film. The word 'dwarfs' should not appear in there."

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Quotes

Hombré: When we behave nobody cares. But when we are bad nobody forgets.

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Alternate Versions

UK versions are cut by 2 minutes 17 secs by the BBFC to remove a cockfight and shots of a live crucified monkey.

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Connections

Edited into Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (1980)

User Reviews

Herzog's "small" triumph

I'm almost ashamed to say it but...this film truly TERRIFIED me! Usually speaking, this is like one of the best compliments a movie can ever receive, but I'm afraid that in the case of "Even Dwarfs Started Small" this feeling is very misplaced. Werner Herzog's minor masterpiece is intended as an allegoric social portrait, hence I'm not very proud to admit that it haunted me all night long. As wrong and unsympathetic as it may come across, these little people look naturally eerie and their appearances made an impression on me that was even stronger than the mesmerizing story. "Even Dwarfs Started Small" is a revolutionary film, pretty much covering all the daily wars every human being wages, only the protagonists are all dwarfs. Since these people's position in society already are oppressed as it is, this film looks extra powerful and compelling. All the actors and actresses deliver amazing performances, even though none of them had any experience in cinema. Especially the 'main' character Hombre is a truly intriguing man. Other aspects that increase the depressing intensity of this film are the black and white cinematography, the extended sequences showing farm animals and – most of all – the raw, tribal music. This definitely was one of the toughest reviews I ever wrote, simply because this is such a multilateral classic and I regretfully can't get past my personal fear of small shapes...

Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

2 February 1971 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

A törpék is kicsin kezdték

Filming Locations:

Canary Islands, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Werner Herzog Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1