Emil and the Detectives2001

Director
Franziska Buch

Acters

Tobias Retzlaff (Emil Tischbein)
Anja Sommavilla (Pony Hütchen)
Juergen Vogel (Max Grundeis)
Maria Schrader (Pastorin Hummel)
Max Befort (Gypsi)
Tim Hansen (Krumbiegel)

Emil goes to Berlin to see his grandmother with a large amount of money and is offered sweets by a strange man that make him sleep. He wakes up at his stop with no money. It is up to him and a group of children to save the day.

The twelve-year-old Emil is allowed to spend a few days with a friend of the family in Berlin. Travelling all on his own, he runs across the slick pickpocket Max Grundeis in the train who anaesthetizes Emil and steals all his savings. Once arrived, Emil and a gang of street kids lead by the cheeky girl Pony Huetchen try to find the gangster, who haunts the posh Hotel Adlon as a hotel thief. Meanwhile, to prevent anyone from finding out about Emil’s mishap, Gypsi, a member of the gang of kids, passes himself off as Emil…

“A wonderful adaptation of the bestselling children’s novel by Erich Kaestner, sensitively preserving the core of the story, namely a strong sense of family and comradeship, while transporting it to the 21st century with the help of excellent actors. Hip-hop music, stylish clothes, and the use of cell phones and laptops show Berlin as a vibrant, modern metropolis.” – KidFlixGlobal.com

“Buch enters into the swing of things with enthusiasm, directing a cast of enthusiastic youngsters with pace and a fine feel for Berlin locations. Snappy music, bright camerawork and an engaging cast succeed in breathing new life into a well-loved yarn.” – Variety

“This mostly fresh Bavarian spin on Erich Kaestner’s story is enjoyable and well cast.” – Time Out