

The Kaiser's Lackey
1951-08-31 · 109 min · ★ 6.7
Diederich Heßling is scared of everything and everyone. But as he grows up, he comes to realize that he has to offer his services to the powers-that-be if he wants to wield power himself. His life motto now runs: bow to those at the top and tread on those below. In this way, he always succeeds: as a student in a duel-fighting student fraternity and as a businessman in a paper factory. He cajoles the obese district administrative president Von Wulkow and wins his favor. He slanders his financial rivals and hatches a plot with the social democrats in the town council. On his honeymoon with his rich wife Guste, he finally finds a chance to do his beloved Kaiser a favor. And when a memorial to the Kaiser is unveiled in the town where Diederich lives and works, he delivers the address. He stands behind the lectern in the pouring rain, saluting his Kaiser. The crowd is dispersed. Everything is laid in ruins...
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Production details
- Directors
- Wolfgang Staudte
- Production companies
- DEFA
- Countries
- East Germany
- Status
- Released
Top Cast
Werner PetersDiederich Heßling
Paul EsserRegierungspräsident von Wulckow
Blandine EbingerFrau von Wulckow
Carola BraunbockEmmi Heßling
Sabine ThalbachAgnes Göppel
Friedel NowackMrs. Göpel
Friedrich MaurerGöpel
Erich NadlerFather Heßling
Ernst LegalZillich
Raimund SchelcherDr. Wolfgang Buck
Hannsgeorg LaubenthalMahlmann
Friedrich GnaßNapoleon FischerTitle information and images are supplied by TMDb. Explore our discovery guide for advice on comparing metadata and legal viewing options.
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