- An artistic animated short-film adapted from the famous German 'Gothic' fairy-tale 'The Cold Heart' by Wilhelm Hauff: A 'Faustian' tale in the Black Forest, the films tells the story of a young man who trades his warm heart for a cold stone in order to become rich. A magical story, which narrates his encounters with the good and evil spirits of the forest. Directed by Hannes Rall in his highly expressionistic style it also features the color-design by famous animation-designer Hans Bacher. English dubbed version available.—Anonymous
- 19th century: Peter lives a very modest life as a charcoal burner in the Black Forest.Envying the wealthier inhabitants of the forest, he sees his only chance for prosperity by locating a good forest spirit, the small Glasmännlein who grants him two wishes at first, then a third wish later. Peter wishes for wealth and he purchases a glassworks plant, but due to his inexperience the glassworks fail and he gambles his money away. In utter desperation Peter locates a dark forest spirit, Holländer-Michel, to make more wishes for wealth. Holländer-Michel agrees to grant him wealth, but only if Peter exchanges his warm heart for a cold stone. Holländer-Michel shows that the wealthier inhabitants of the village already have done so and shows Peter their hearts that he stores in a gigantic chamber of hearts.Peter agrees and becomes a ruthlessly successful businessman, but at the same time loses all ability to empathize with people and feel any real emotion. He marries the beautiful Lisbeth, but kills her in a rage of fury, when she shows mercy with some poor beggars. Peter wakes up and is deeply regretful, but is there still hope for him?
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