William Tell (1960)
The legendary Swiss hero William Tell defies tyranny in this stirring 1960 historical adventure rooted in Schiller's immortal drama.
William Tell - Movie Information
- Original Title: Wilhelm Tell
- Release Year: 1960
- Directed by: Michel Dickoff
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, History
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Original Language: German
- Spoken Languages: German
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 16, 1960 (Switzerland - 12), April 27, 1961 (Germany)
- Alternative Titles: Wilhelm Tell - Burgen in Flammen (DE), Bergfeuer lodern (CH)
- Production Countries: Switzerland
William Tell - Plot
Gessler, the Rütli Oath, the apple shot, the Hollow Lane: the deeds of Swiss national hero William Tell in his fight against tyranny and violence in 1291. Based on Friedrich Schiller's drama and Aegidius Tschudi's chronicle.
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William Tell - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michel Dickoff
Main Cast
- Robert Freitag
- Alfred Schlageter
- Maria Becker
- Birke Bruck
- Heinz Woester
- Hannes Schmidhauser
- Leopold Biberti
- Georges Weiss
- Zarli Carigiet
- Wolfgang Rottsieper
Writers
- Max Frisch
- Michel Dickoff
Producers
- Josef R. Kaelin
William Tell - FAQs
Is William Tell based on a true story?
William Tell draws from both legend and historical record. The film is based on Friedrich Schiller's celebrated drama and Aegidius Tschudi's 16th-century chronicle. While Tell is a beloved Swiss national hero, historians debate whether he was a real historical figure or a legendary symbol of resistance against Habsburg tyranny.
Who plays William Tell in the 1960 film?
Robert Freitag takes on the iconic role of Wilhelm Tell in this 1960 Swiss production. The film also features Alfred Schlageter as Walter Fürst, Maria Becker as Gertrud Stauffacher, and Wolfgang Rottsieper as the villainous Gessler, among a strong ensemble cast.
What is the famous apple shot scene in William Tell?
The apple shot is the most iconic moment in the William Tell legend. The tyrannical governor Gessler forces Tell to shoot an apple off his own son's head with a crossbow as punishment for defiance. Tell succeeds, but the tension of the scene has made it one of history's most enduring dramatic images.
What is William Tell (1960) about?
Set in 1291 Switzerland, the film follows the legendary marksman William Tell as he defies the oppressive Habsburg governor Gessler. It covers the Rütli Oath, the famous apple shot, and the Hollow Lane ambush — key episodes in Switzerland's struggle for freedom, drawn from Schiller's drama and Tschudi's chronicle.
Who directed William Tell (1960)?
William Tell (1960) was directed by Michel Dickoff, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside the renowned Swiss playwright Max Frisch. The film was produced in Switzerland and stands as a notable adaptation of the country's most celebrated national legend.
What is the Rütli Oath in William Tell?
The Rütli Oath is a pivotal moment in the William Tell legend in which representatives of the three Swiss forest cantons secretly gathered on the Rütli meadow to swear an alliance against Habsburg rule. It is considered the symbolic founding act of the Swiss Confederation and features prominently in the film.
What genre is William Tell (1960)?
William Tell (1960) is a historical adventure film. It blends epic action and dramatic storytelling with a strong grounding in Swiss history and legend, making it an engaging watch for fans of classic European historical cinema as well as those drawn to tales of heroism and resistance.
What are some movies similar to William Tell?
If you enjoy William Tell, you might also like Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Paths of Glory (1957), and Colonel Wolodyjowski (1969). Other recommendations include Redbad (2018), Amundsen (2019), and Ponniyin Selvan: Part II (2023) — all epic historical films with themes of courage, conflict, and national identity.
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