INTO THE FOREST: FOLKTALES AT DEFA (Masters of Cinema

INTO THE FOREST: FOLKTALES AT DEFA (Masters of Cinema) Limited Edition Three-disc Blu-ray Box Se

INTO THE FOREST: FOLKTALES AT DEFA (Masters of Cinema) Limited Edition Three-disc Blu-ray Box Se

Between 1950 and 1989, the East German studio DEFA produced a huge number of Märchenfilme, or adaptations of popular fairy and folktales. By turns macabre, heartwarming, odd, whimsical and occasionally downright frightening, these visually arresting and luridly colourful pictures drew on the works of authors such as Wilhelm Hauff, Hans Christian Andersen and, above all, the Brothers Grimm. Some of the finest – and darkest – DEFA folktales include The Devil from Mill Mountain, The Singing Ringing Tree, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood and The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs.


In The Devil from Mill Mountain, a greedy miller attracts the ire of forest spirits when he and his accomplices disguise themselves as demons to burn down a rival mill. In The Singing Ringing Tree, a young prince must find a legendary tree to win the heart of an icy princess – and risks being transformed into a bear if she fails to fall in love with him. Rumpelstiltskin follows a young woman whose boastful father claims she can spin straw into gold, leading her to make an ill-advised pact with a magical imp. Then, the eponymous Little Red Riding Hood sets off to see her sick grandmother, relying on her friends the rabbit and the bear to help her evade the cunning fox and the big bad wolf. Finally, The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs sees an unfortunate young man tasked with travelling into hell to retrieve three golden hairs from the Devil himself.


DEFA’s Märchenfilme were perhaps the most enduringly successful genre films produced in East Germany, remaining popular for as long as the German Democratic Republic existed – but they are criminally under-seen outside of the former Eastern Bloc. Filled with uncanny imagery and socialist messaging in equal measure, DEFA’s folktale adaptations are both immeasurably important to Germany’s film heritage and wildly entertaining examples of popular European cinema. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present these five Märchenfilme together for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK.

LIMITED EDITION THREE-DISC BLU-RAY BOX SET SPECIAL FEATURES*:

  • Limited Edition of 2,000 copies
  • Limited edition hardbound slipcase featuring new artwork by Carly A-F
  • Reversible inner sleeves featuring new artwork for each film by Carly A-F
  • Limited edition 60-page collector’s book featuring a new essay on DEFA’s approach to folktales by East German film historian Sebastian Heiduschke, new notes on each film in this set by DEFA Märchenfilm experts Sonja Fritzsche, Qinna Shen and Elizabeth Ward, plus the Brothers Grimm stories that inspired The Singing Ringing Tree, Rumpelstiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood and The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs
  • 1080p HD presentations of all five films from restorations by the DEFA Foundation
  • Original German soundtracks
  • Optional English soundtracks for The Singing Ringing Tree and The Devil’s Three Golden Hairs
  • Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
  • New audio commentary on The Devil from Mill Mountain by film historian Michael Brooke
  • New audio commentary on Rumpelstiltskin by Sam Goff, editorial director for Klassiki and host of The Klassiki Kino Club podcast
  • Fairytales and Nightmares – new interview with writer, broadcaster and Fortean Times columnist Bob Fischer on the history of The Singing Ringing Tree
  • DEFA and the Devil – new video essay on the depiction of the Devil in folktales from the Brothers Grimm to DEFA by film and literature scholar Mary Going
  • The Magic Scissors (Bruno J. Böttge, 1956) – short silhouette animation inspired by traditional folktales and produced by the DEFA Studio for Animation Film
  • Sleeping Beauty Was a Beautiful Child (Katja Georgi, 1987) – short puppet animation adapted from Sleeping Beauty by the DEFA Studio for Animation Film
  • The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats (Otto Sacher, 1990) – short cut-out animation adapted from the Brothers Grimm story by the DEFA Studio for Animation Film

* All extras subject to change

PRESS

“(The Singing Ringing Tree) a cult classic, with a reputation as one of the most frightening things ever shown on children’s television” – Telegraph

SKU: B0GY96Z8S8

Tags:

edinburgh-woollen-mill listed on couponmatrix.ukkew-royal-botanical-gardens listed on couponmatrix.uklitecraft listed on couponmatrix.ukposturite listed on couponmatrix.ukroman-originals listed on couponmatrix.ukthe-leisure-group listed on couponmatrix.uk
edinburgh-woollen-mill listed on couponmatrix.ukEdinburgh Woollen Mill is an iconic British high-street retailer, renowned for its quality clothing and homeware. For more than 80 years their stores have been providing customers with stylish and timeless wardrobe staples at reasonable prices. To make a great deal even better, Edinburgh Woollen Mill offers shoppers discount codes and vouchers to help them save money on select items across their range of men's and women's clothing, as well as home furnishings. So if you're in the market for some classic British style without breaking the bank, be sure to look out for Edinburgh Woolen Mill discount codes before making your purchase.
kew-royal-botanical-gardens listed on couponmatrix.ukArguably the world’s greatest botanic garden complex, Kew Gardens is a 130-hectare UNESCO World Heritage site and an oasis of natural beauty enjoyed by generations of Londoners and visitors to the capital. The Kew Gardens discount code will open up a world of native and exotic plants, flowers, cacti and more with a record-breaking number of varieties to look at - all set in a stunning setting enhanced with lakes, multi-level Victorian greenhouses, architect-designed feature buildings and a 65 foot high treetop canopy walkway.
litecraft listed on couponmatrix.ukSee the difference a few new fixtures can make to your home at Litecraft, specialists in providing electrical illumination in every shape and form. Even those looking to replace the odd bulb or add a Stanley outdoor light to their porch can use a Litecraft discount code to knock the cost of their investment. With a regularly changing clearance range, weekly deals and frequent product giveaways throughout the year, it’s easy to see why Litecraft lights up so many lives.
posturite listed on couponmatrix.ukKeeping a strong posture is an easy thing to let slip over many years, which is why Posturite provide the means to keep you and your body in tip-top condition. Professionals in supplying ergonomic furniture for work, it’s the ideal place to improve your working environment – be it at home or in the office. With a Posturite discount code you can save hundreds on workplace equipment including chairs, desks and accessories that’ll support you for many months to come.
roman-originals listed on couponmatrix.ukFill your wardrobe with this season’s must-haves when you shop with Roman Originals. Stocking a wide range of dresses, tops, coats and more, you’re sure to find the right collection for your closet. Use your Roman Originals discount code to make a huge saving across all your favourite brands, including designers such as Isabel London, David Barry and more, so that you can get the look you love for less. For partywear and weekend-wear alike, Roman Originals is the only way to go.
the-leisure-group listed on couponmatrix.ukHave a great day out for all the family with MFA Bowl, the bowling, golfing, party destination! Located in spots throughout the UK, head to your local MFA for a great day of classic 10 pin bowling, test your stuff against friends, get the kids out for a fun time, or spark romance on a first date. Get tickets with an MFA Bowl voucher and you’ll be heading off for fun without it breaking the bank. Book a Birthday, grab some food, hit the lanes and have a great time, all from MFA Bowl.