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Even Dwarfs Started Small (1970)

Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen (original title)
Not Rated | | Comedy, Drama | 2 February 1971 (West Germany)
Even Dwarfs Started Small Poster
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A group of dwarfs at a correctional facility erupt in anarchy.

Director:

Werner Herzog

Writer:

Werner Herzog

Stars:

Helmut Döring, Paul Glauer, Gisela Hertwig | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

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Cast

Cast overview:
Helmut Döring Helmut Döring ... Hombré
Paul Glauer Paul Glauer ... Erzieher
Gisela Hertwig Gisela Hertwig ... Pobrecita
Hertel Minkner Hertel Minkner ... Chicklets
Gertrud Piccini Gertrud Piccini ... Piccini
Marianne Saar Marianne Saar ... Theresa
Brigitte Saar Brigitte Saar ... Cochina
Gerd Gickel Gerd Gickel ... Pepe
Erna Gschwendtner Erna Gschwendtner ... Azucar
Gerhard Maerz Gerhard Maerz ... Territory
Alfredo Piccini Alfredo Piccini ... Anselmo
Erna Smollarz Erna Smollarz ... Schweppes
Lajos Zsarnoczay Lajos Zsarnoczay ... Chapparo
Pepi Hermine Pepi Hermine ... The President
See full cast »
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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. Written by Peter-Patrick76 (peter-patrick@mail.com)

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

actor injured | rebellion | chaos | dwarf | actual animal killed | See All (41) »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

2 February 1971 (West Germany) See more »

Also Known As:

A törpék is kicsin kezdték See more »

Filming Locations:

Canary Islands, Spain See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Werner Herzog Filmproduktion See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In one interview around 2009, Harmony Korine cited this as, for him, the greatest film ever made. See more »

Quotes

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

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. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Meet Bob Shaye (2004) See more »

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User Reviews

Imagine a sequel to FREAKS directed by Sam Fuller
15 February 2000 | by Richard_Harland_Smith – See all my reviews

Werner Herzog's upsetting, black and white, documentary-like EVEN DWARFS STARTED SMALL concerns the rebellion of a handful of dwarves against the institution in which they are inmates. No average-sized actors appear - just the buildings, furniture and accessories that have been constructed for (and seemingly abandoned by) them. Herzog pulls a double whammy by getting his audience to identify with his performers - indeed, they are shown to express great sensitivity and pain - but doesn't cop out by suggesting that the dwarves will be happy now that they've smashed some windows. A difficult film to watch - and certainly not for the easily-offended.
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