Willi und die Windzors
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| Willi und die Windzors | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Hape Kerkeling |
| Written by | Doris Heinze (de) Hape Kerkeling |
| Starring | Hape Kerkeling Tana Schanzara (de) Brigitte Mira Irm Hermann Charles Brauer (de) Katharina Schubert Ludger Pistor |
Release date |
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Running time | 85 minutes |
| Language | German |
Willi und die Windzors ("Willi and the Windzors") is a 1996 German
Synopsis
Due to the "immoral behavior" of the royal family and the high cost of maintaining the royal court, the
In Hanover, Germany, Willi Bettenberg (Hape Kerkeling) lives in a small house together with his mother (Tana Schanzara), struggling to make a living out of a furniture store. It turns out that he is the next relative of the British royal family, and suddenly finds them loaded off at his doorstep. As the royal family arrives without any money, Willi has them pay off for their stay by giving an autograph session at the furniture store, which greatly increases customer popularity and revenues. The former Queen turns out to be a great presenter of furniture, and Philipp's knowledge as a hunter makes him a highly regarded expert to the local zoo.
Getting accustomed to his new life, Prince Charles begins to write children's stories and finds a new love in Willi's fiancée, a masculine riding instructor. By contrast, Willi falls in love with Diana, which is met with high approval by his mother.
In order to find a new occupation and provide his family with a new home, Prince Charles runs as mayor of Hanover, the necessary funding having been won by Prince Philip during a horse race. Charles succeeds in winning the election, and the royal family takes up its new residence at the Hannover New Town Hall.
In the meantime, Great Britain feels the negative effects of not having a royal family anymore, with journalism and tourism being hit the hardest and hundreds and thousands of jobs having been lost. As a consequence, the British government decides to reinstate the monarchy. Prince Charles is asked to become the next king, but refuses in favor of his new life in Hanover. Instead, Willi marries Diana and becomes King William V.
Production details
The film was produced by and originally aired at Norddeutscher Rundfunk. Filming took place in Hanover and Papenburg. The film opens and closes with a narrative by Hans Paetsch, whose distinctive voice is well known to a German audience because of his frequent work as teller of fairy tales.
References
- ISBN 978-0-85745-565-9.
External links
- Willi und die Windzors at IMDb
