Schmutziger Engel (1958)
A gripping 1958 West German drama about a teacher whose reputation is shattered by a student's devastating false accusation.
Schmutziger Engel - Movie Information
- Original Title: Schmutziger Engel
- Release Year: 1958
- Directed by: Alfred Vohrer
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 1, 1958 (Germany - 16)
- Production Companies: Ultra-Film
- Production Countries: Germany
Schmutziger Engel - Plot
A teacher is defamed in an obscene way by an over-excited pupil.
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Schmutziger Engel - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alfred Vohrer
Main Cast
- Peter van Eyck
- Corny Collins
- Jörg Holm
- Doris Kirchner
- Adelheid Seeck
- Sabine Sinjen
- Hans Nielsen
- Werner Peters
- Edith Hancke
- Ralf Wolter
Writers
- Harald G. Petersson
Producers
- Josef Wolf
Schmutziger Engel - FAQs
What is Schmutziger Engel about?
Schmutziger Engel follows a respected teacher whose life unravels after a troubled student makes obscene and defamatory accusations against him. The 1958 German drama explores how a single false claim can destroy a person's reputation, career, and personal relationships in a tightly knit community.
Is Schmutziger Engel based on a true story?
Schmutziger Engel is not directly based on a single documented true story. However, its premise — a teacher falsely accused by a student — reflects real social anxieties of postwar West Germany, where reputation and moral standing carried enormous weight in professional and community life.
Who directed Schmutziger Engel?
Alfred Vohrer directed Schmutziger Engel. Vohrer was a prolific and versatile German filmmaker who went on to become one of the most celebrated directors of the Edgar Wallace Krimi series in the 1960s, known for his sharp visual style and confident handling of suspenseful material.
Who are the main actors in Schmutziger Engel?
Peter van Eyck leads the cast as the embattled teacher Dr. Torsten Agast, alongside Corny Collins as the student Beate Schorlemmer. The ensemble also features Sabine Sinjen, Hans Nielsen, Werner Peters, Edith Hancke, Ralf Wolter, and a young Rex Gildo in an early screen appearance.
When was Schmutziger Engel released?
Schmutziger Engel premiered in Germany on July 1, 1958. It was produced by Ultra-Film and represents a notable entry in late-1950s West German cinema, a period marked by social dramas grappling with questions of morality, authority, and postwar identity.
What themes does Schmutziger Engel explore?
The film digs into themes of false accusation, social judgment, and the fragility of reputation. It examines how institutions — schools, courts, communities — can turn against an individual based on unverified claims, and how difficult it is to reclaim one's dignity once public trust has been shattered.
How long is Schmutziger Engel?
Schmutziger Engel runs for 94 minutes, or about 1 hour and 34 minutes. It's a compact, focused drama that wastes little time establishing its central conflict and building toward its courtroom-inflected resolution.
What are some movies similar to Schmutziger Engel?
If Schmutziger Engel resonates with you, consider exploring Cheaters (2000), The Browning Version (1994), or Come Sunday (2018) — films that similarly examine moral crises within educational or institutional settings. Gracie (2007) and Almost Friends (2017) also touch on complex student-adult dynamics worth exploring.
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