Grenadier Wordelmann (1980)
An East German period drama about a stubborn farmer, a roguish grenadier, and a wedding prank that spirals gloriously out of control.
Grenadier Wordelmann - Movie Information
- Original Title: Grenadier Wordelmann
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Hans-Joachim Hildebrandt
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 24m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Production Companies: Fernsehen der DDR
- Production Countries: East Germany
Grenadier Wordelmann - Plot
1780: When farmer Schmitzdorff in Wust, Brandenburg, is denied permission to marry his stepdaughter Sophie, he goes to Potsdam to obtain permission from the king himself. Because when he believes he is in the right, the proud man stubbornly insists on his opinion. But his stubbornness gets the better of him when he meets the dashing Wordelmann, Frederick II's personal grenadier, in an inn on the way. The latter sees the farmer as a welcome distraction from his otherwise dreary everyday life. Wordelmann tricks Schmitzdorff at his expense and pretends to be allowed to perform the wedding because of his military affiliation. And so the grenadier ends up organizing a wedding that isn't a wedding and takes the dastardly prank to the extreme until everyone involved has lost their laughter.
Where to Watch Grenadier Wordelmann
Looking for where to watch Grenadier Wordelmann?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Grenadier Wordelmann - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hans-Joachim Hildebrandt
Main Cast
- Herbert Köfer
- Peter Reusse
- Franziska Troegner
- Hans-Joachim Hanisch
- Bruno Carstens
- Jörg Knochée
- Klaus Nietz
- Berndt Stichler
- Peter Bause
- Johannes Wieke
Writers
- Hans-Joachim Hildebrandt
Grenadier Wordelmann - FAQs
What is Grenadier Wordelmann about?
Set in 1780 Brandenburg, the film follows a stubborn farmer who travels to Potsdam to get the king's approval for a marriage. Along the way he's outwitted by Wordelmann, a crafty grenadier in Frederick II's service, who stages a fake wedding as an elaborate prank that eventually goes too far for everyone involved.
Is Grenadier Wordelmann based on a true story?
The film draws on the historical setting of Frederick the Great's Prussia and the social customs of 18th-century Brandenburg, lending it an authentic period flavour. While the specific characters and comic plot appear to be fictional, the story is rooted in the real social hierarchies and military culture of the era.
Who are the main actors in Grenadier Wordelmann?
The cast is led by Herbert Köfer as the proud farmer Schmitzdorff and Peter Reusse as the mischievous Grenadier Wordelmann. Franziska Troegner plays Sophie, with Hans-Joachim Hanisch, Peter Bause, and Johannes Wieke rounding out the ensemble in this East German production.
Who directed Grenadier Wordelmann?
Hans-Joachim Hildebrandt directed the film and also wrote the screenplay. The production was made for Fernsehen der DDR, East Germany's state television broadcaster, and released in 1980.
What genre is Grenadier Wordelmann?
Grenadier Wordelmann is a drama with strong comedic undertones. It blends period storytelling with sharp social observation, using the clash between a stubborn farmer and a roguish soldier to poke fun at pride, authority, and the absurdities of 18th-century Prussian social life.
How long is Grenadier Wordelmann?
The film runs for 84 minutes — a compact, brisk runtime that suits its comedic pacing and keeps the escalating prank at the heart of the story moving at a lively clip from the inn encounter all the way to the chaotic fake wedding.
What are some films similar to Grenadier Wordelmann?
If you enjoyed this East German period drama, you might also like Paula (2016), The German Lesson (2019), Someday We'll Tell Each Other Everything (2023), and Salomé (2013). Each offers a similarly grounded, character-driven approach to European storytelling with strong period or literary roots.
Where was Grenadier Wordelmann produced?
The film was produced in East Germany by Fernsehen der DDR, the state television broadcaster of the German Democratic Republic. Set in Brandenburg and Potsdam during the reign of Frederick the Great, it reflects the DDR's tradition of adapting historical and literary material for television audiences.
More About Grenadier Wordelmann
Explore further details about Grenadier Wordelmann on these trusted databases.