Credited cast: | |||
Jannis Niewöhner | ... | Goldmund | |
Sabin Tambrea | ... | Narziss | |
Henriette Confurius | ... | Lene | |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
Lukás Bech | ... | Priester | |
Roxane Duran | ... | Lisbeth | |
Georg Friedrich | ... | Fürst | |
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Samuel Girardi | ... | Self |
Michael Glantschnig | ... | Benjamin | |
Matthias Habich | ... | Burgherr | |
André Hennicke | ... | Lothar | |
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Elisabeth Kanettis | ... | Lise |
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Roman Johannes Kornfeld | ... | Ulrich |
Johannes Krisch | ... | Goldmunds Vater | |
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Martin Lev | ... | Warior |
Sunnyi Melles | ... | Gräfin |
The young Goldmund is sent by his father to study in the monastery Mariabronn and meets there on the religious monastic student Narcissus. Narcissus has dedicated himself to the ascetic and austere life in the monastery with heart and soul and Goldmund first tries to imitate him. An intimate friendship soon develops between the two, but the boisterous and fun-loving Goldmund soon realizes that the life perspective the convent offers does not match his ideas of freedom and, emboldened by Narcissus, embarks on a journey full of adventure in which he finally meets his great love Lene. But years later, Narcissus and Goldmund meet again under dramatic circumstances .
I read the Hesse novel fifty years ago and can no longer remember it. However, whether this beautifully photographed film adheres closely to the original text is not important. The director and his brilliant cinematographer have created a series of scenes that engage the viewer and move effortlessly to the ultimate denouement. Actors, costumes, sets, and music are perfectly combined, and the film's editor never dwells too long on a take. The religious and personal feelings expressed are relevant to different viewers of our time. This little-known film deserves a much larger international audience.