Heart of Stone (1950) – Film Review

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Cast: Lutz Moik, Hanna Rucker, Paul Bildt
Certificate: PG

By Sarah Morgan

Continental movies are commonplace, but for many years, it was difficult to see those made behind the Iron Curtain.

Thankfully that is now changing, with Heart of Stone, the first colour film produced in East Germany and originally in cinemas in 1950, the latest to receive a swanky restoration and limited edition 2k release.

“Mischievous”

Around the time it was shot, DEFA, the country’s state-run production unit, was beginning what would become a long tradition of movies based on folklore and fairy tales; Heart of Stone, inspired by a story by German author Wilhelm Hauff, would be the first of these.

A huge success, it was directed By Paul Verhoeven (not the one who went on to make Basic Instinct and Showgirls) and stars Lutz Moik as Peter, a humble seller of coal living in the Black Forest with his mother. He’s desperately ambitious, particularly as he is in love with local girl Lisbeth, someone he has known since they were children.

Although she appears to reciprocate his feelings, socially she is out of his reach and seemingly destined to marry someone else. In search of help, Peter visits mischievous forest spirit the Glass Imp, who grants him two wishes. However, he does not use them wisely, prompting Peter to sell his heart to the villainous warlock Dutch Michael.

Suddenly Peter has all the wealth he has ever desired, but his life has fallen apart, and he must find a way to take back his heart if he is to ever be happy again.

“Cautionary tale”

Whimsical, weird and macabre, the film was clearly made for children thanks to its bright colours and cautionary tale, but it’s more likely to give them nightmares than teach them a valuable lesson – in that respect it’s rather reminiscent of the notoriously chilling The Singing Ringing Tree, which was also made by DEFA later in the same decade.

I found Heart of Stone easier to watch and follow than that now iconic production, so here’s hoping this release introduces it to a new audience.

The excellent special features include a new video essay from Soviet cinema expert Claire Knight about children’s media in the Eastern Bloc, and several short films produced by DEFA during the 1950s.