I Am Sebastian Ott (1939)
A German crime drama where a brilliant doctor uncovers an art fraud conspiracy — only to be replaced by his own twin brother.
I Am Sebastian Ott - Movie Information
- Original Title: Ich bin Sebastian Ott
- Release Year: 1939
- Directed by: Willi Forst, Viktor Becker
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 10, 1939 (Germany)
- Alternative Titles: I Am Sebastian Ott (US)
- Production Companies: Bavaria Film
- Production Countries: Germany
I Am Sebastian Ott - Plot
After a shady art collector is murdered, adept Dr. Sebastian Ott uncovers a massive organised fraud with fake paintings. His twin brother Ludwig is responsible, kidnaps him and locks him away in his house. He uses Otto's ID and 'replaces' him...
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I Am Sebastian Ott - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Willi Forst
- Viktor Becker
Main Cast
- Willi Forst
- Gustav Diessl
- Paul Hörbiger
- Ady Berber
- Eduard Köck
- Trude Marlen
- H. Berger
- Lorenz Corvinus
- Felix Dombrowsky
- Richard Eybner
Writers
- Eberhard Keindorff
- Axel Eggebrecht
I Am Sebastian Ott - FAQs
What is I Am Sebastian Ott about?
I Am Sebastian Ott follows the clever Dr. Sebastian Ott as he investigates the murder of a shady art collector and uncovers a sprawling fake-paintings fraud. Things take a dark personal turn when his identical twin brother Ludwig kidnaps him, steals his identity, and takes over his life.
Who plays the dual role in I Am Sebastian Ott?
Willi Forst takes on the dual role of twin brothers Sebastian Ott and Ludwig Ott. It's a showcase performance — Forst also co-directed the film, making this a remarkable behind-the-camera and in-front-of-the-camera achievement for the Austrian actor-director.
Who directed I Am Sebastian Ott?
I Am Sebastian Ott was co-directed by Willi Forst and Viktor Becker. Forst was a celebrated Austrian filmmaker and actor of the era, known for blending entertainment with stylish craftsmanship, and his dual role in front of and behind the camera makes this film especially notable.
When was I Am Sebastian Ott released?
I Am Sebastian Ott was released on August 10, 1939, in Germany. It was produced by Bavaria Film and stands as a product of late-1930s German cinema, arriving just weeks before the outbreak of World War II reshaped the European film landscape entirely.
Is I Am Sebastian Ott based on a true story?
No, I Am Sebastian Ott is not based on a true story. It's an original crime drama built around the compelling fictional premise of twin brothers, art fraud, and identity theft. The screenplay was written by Eberhard Keindorff and Axel Eggebrecht specifically for this production.
What genre is I Am Sebastian Ott?
I Am Sebastian Ott is a Crime Drama. It blends the intrigue of a murder investigation with the psychological tension of an identity-theft thriller, wrapped in the stylish sensibility of late-1930s German cinema. Fans of classic mystery films and twin-identity stories will find plenty to enjoy here.
How long is I Am Sebastian Ott?
I Am Sebastian Ott runs for 94 minutes — just under an hour and a half. It's a tightly paced crime drama that moves efficiently through its murder mystery, art fraud conspiracy, and identity-swap thriller elements without overstaying its welcome.
What are similar movies to I Am Sebastian Ott?
If you enjoy I Am Sebastian Ott, you might also like Dead Again (1991), Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), and Trap House (2025). These films share themes of deception, identity, and intricate mystery plotting. Brothers (2024) and Confess, Fletch (2022) are also worth exploring.
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