Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Heart of Stone stars Lutz Moik, Hanna Rucker and Erwin Geschonneck in a fantasy film based on Wilhelm Hauffs classic fairy tale. Set in the Black Forest, the story follows Peter Munk, a poor charcoal burner who trades his heart for wealth and social status, only to discover the human cost of his bargain. One of DEFAs most important productions, the film was the first East German colour feature and won the Best Colour Film award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival

Eureka - Masters of Cinema

In 1950, DEFA the state-owned film studio of East Germany or the GDR embarked on what would prove to be a long tradition of producing films based on folktales by the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. German author Wilhelm Hauff provided the source for the studios first folktale: The Cold Heart, which became Das kalte Herz or Heart of Stone. The first East German production to be shot in colour, it remained one of the most successful films the GDR ever produced until DEFAs dissolution in 1992.

Peter Munk (Lutz Moik) lives in the Black Forest with his mother (Lotte Loebinger) and makes a modest living selling charcoal in the nearest town. He is deeply in love with the beautiful Lisbeth (Hanna Rucker) and equally as jealous of the arrogant Ezechiel (Paul Esser), a wealthy merchant who frequents the local tavern. Desperate to improve his social standing, Peter appeals to a mischievous forest spirit the Glass Imp (Paul Bildt) for help. The Imp grants Peter two wishes, but only with strict conditions attached that leave him wanting more. He then turns to the infamous Dutch Michael (Erwin Geschonneck), a reclusive warlock who can give Peter anything his heart desires but only if hes willing to exchange his heart for one made of stone.

By turns whimsical, weird and darkly macabre, Heart of Stone is an arrestingly beautiful work