Fusilier Wipf
1938 Swiss film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fusilier Wipf (German: Füsilier Wipf) is a 1938 Swiss drama film directed by Hermann Haller and Leopold Lindtberg and starring Paul Hubschmid, Heinrich Gretler and Robert Trösch. Adapted from Robert Faesi’s 1917 novella,[1] it follows a hairdresser’s assistant conscripted during the First World War who matures into a thoughtful and responsible person.[2][3] The film was one of Praesens-Film’s Swiss German productions associated with Switzerland’s geistige Landesverteidigung.[4][5] It drew 1.25 million admissions in Switzerland, making it one of the country’s most successful films of the period.[6][7]
| Fusilier Wipf | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | |
| Based on | Füsilier Wipf (1917 novella) by Robert Faesi |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Emil Berna |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Robert Blum |
Production company | Praesens-Film |
| Distributed by | Praesens-Film |
Release date |
|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Language | Swiss German |
Synopsis
During the First World War, a young Swiss hairdresser’s assistant is conscripted into military service during the border occupation and matures into a thoughtful and responsible person. After returning from military service, he changes his life, breaks off his engagement to his master’s daughter, and moves to the countryside with a farmer’s daughter.[2][3]
Cast
The cast includes:[3]
- Paul Hubschmid as Reinhold Wipf
- Heinrich Gretler as Leu
- Robert Trösch as Meisterhans
- Zarli Carigiet as Schatzli
- Max Werner Lenz as Hungerbühler
- Wolfgang Heinz as Czech refugee
- Sigfrit Steiner as Oberleutnant
- Erwin Kalser as Herr Godax
- Lisa Della Casa as Vreneli
- Emil Hegetschweiler as Coiffeur Wiederkehr
- Elsie Attenhofer as Rosa Wiederkehr
- Alfred Rasser as Notar Schnurrenberger
Production
The film was adapted from Robert Faesi’s 1917 novella Füsilier Wipf. Faesi’s novella has been described as associated with Switzerland’s geistige Landesverteidigung.[1]
Release and reception
The film drew 1.25 million admissions in Switzerland after its 1938 release, at a time when the country had a population of about 4.2 million.[6] It was also one of the five most successful Swiss films released between 1938 and 1943[7]
On 24 January 1939, Fusilier Wipf was screened in Paris at the Maison de la Chimie for the benefit of Swiss charitable works. Guests then attended a reception at the new Swiss legation hosted by Minister Walter Stucki and his wife.[8]