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The Merchant of Four Seasons

Original title: Händler der vier Jahreszeiten
  • 19721972
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
4.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Hans Hirschmüller in Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
  • Drama
Hans Epp is a self-destructive man who lives a dissatisfied life. He tries to find meaning as a fruit vendor, but a heart attack impedes his ability to work, which turns his dissatisfaction ... Read allHans Epp is a self-destructive man who lives a dissatisfied life. He tries to find meaning as a fruit vendor, but a heart attack impedes his ability to work, which turns his dissatisfaction into despair.Hans Epp is a self-destructive man who lives a dissatisfied life. He tries to find meaning as a fruit vendor, but a heart attack impedes his ability to work, which turns his dissatisfaction into despair.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
4.8K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Rainer Werner Fassbinder
  • Writer
    • Rainer Werner Fassbinder
  • Stars
    • Hans Hirschmüller
    • Irm Hermann
    • Hanna Schygulla
Top credits
  • Director
    • Rainer Werner Fassbinder
  • Writer
    • Rainer Werner Fassbinder
  • Stars
    • Hans Hirschmüller
    • Irm Hermann
    • Hanna Schygulla
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 40Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:03
    Trailer

    Photos85

    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Ingrid Caven in Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Irm Hermann and Hans Hirschmüller in Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
    Hans Hirschmüller in Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Hans Hirschmüller
    Hans Hirschmüller
    • Hans Eppas Hans Epp
    Irm Hermann
    Irm Hermann
    • Irmgard Eppas Irmgard Epp
    Hanna Schygulla
    Hanna Schygulla
    • Anna Eppas Anna Epp
    Klaus Löwitsch
    Klaus Löwitsch
    • Harry Radekas Harry Radek
    Karl Scheydt
    Karl Scheydt
    • Anzellas Anzell
    Andrea Schober
    Andrea Schober
    • Renate Eppas Renate Epp
    Gusti Kreissl
    • Mother Eppas Mother Epp
    Ingrid Caven
    Ingrid Caven
    • Hans's great loveas Hans's great love
    Kurt Raab
    Kurt Raab
    • Kurtas Kurt
    Heide Simon
    • Heideas Heide
    Peter Chatel
    Peter Chatel
    • Dr. Harlachas Dr. Harlach
    Elga Sorbas
    Elga Sorbas
    • Marileas Marile
    Lilo Pempeit
    • Customeras Customer
    Walter Sedlmayr
    Walter Sedlmayr
    • Fruit cart salesmanas Fruit cart salesman
    • (as Walther Sedlmayer)
    El Hedi ben Salem
    El Hedi ben Salem
    • The Arabas The Arab
    • (as Salem El Heïdi)
    Marian Seidowsky
    Marian Seidowsky
    Daniel Schmid
    Daniel Schmid
    • 1st Candidateas 1st Candidate
    Michael Fengler
    • Playboyas Playboy
    • Director
      • Rainer Werner Fassbinder
    • Writer
      • Rainer Werner Fassbinder
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Fruit vendor Hans cannot please his family. His mother harps on his failures. His wife is openly discontent. He must peddle produce to his beloved ex-girlfriend, and he is mocked by his customers for being shorter and fatter than his wife. He is withdrawn, crushed, and humiliated. He can not meet the high standards of his mother, he has to give up his job as a police officer when he gets involved with a prostitute in the office. He turns to drinking and violence, but his rage causes his wife and daughter to leave him. While desperately begging for their return, he suffers a debilitating heart attack. His family comes back, but Hans is unable to work and must hire help for his fruit stand. Hans' first employee is his wife's ex-lover, whom he fires for embezzling. He then hires a friend and hero from his legionnaire days, Harry, out of pity. Harry is hardworking, diligent, and clever. He turns Hans' business around and enlivens his home life. Harry's success also begins to displace Hans -- with his fruit stand, with his wife, and even with his child. Hans becomes useless, a nothing -- exactly what his mother, his wife, and those around him set him up to be.
    • heart attack
    • street vendor
    • fruit salesman
    • drinking alcohol
    • fruit seller
    • 121 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #758.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Hans Epp: Fresh pears!

    • Connections
      Edited into Ich will nicht nur, daß ihr mich liebt - Der Filmemacher Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      Buona Notte
      (uncredited)

      Written by Rocco Granata & Jules Verard

      Performed by Rocco Granata

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    'A devil in the morning, a devil in the afternoon'...
    About a man who lives life in a permanent crisis, don't we all these days - captured through portraits and pictures that could stand by themselves in any art gallery. A work of genius by a genius.
    helpful•14
    3
    • Xstal
    • Jun 24, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 10, 1972 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • West Germany
    • Languages
      • German
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Händler der vier Jahreszeiten
    • Filming locations
      • Munich, Bavaria, Germany
    • Production company
      • Tango Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • DEM 325,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,144
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,623
      • Feb 16, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,144
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Hans Hirschmüller in Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972)
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    By what name was Händler der vier Jahreszeiten (1972) officially released in Canada in English?
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