Castles and Cottages

Lifelong hard work for the count makes the servant Anton a cripple. Everybody calls him Crooked Anton. When, after the end of the war, the land of the count gets divided amongst the farmers, Anton receives a piece and hopes to be able to work freely. But an old debt and intrigue keep Anton and his family from finding peace. The farmers of the village begin to discover their own power when Annegret, Anton's daughter, leaves. Is a new beginning possible for Anton? This film paints an impressive panorama of the development of a minor village in Mecklenburg from the end of the war to the uprising of 17 June 1953.

Director: Kurt Maetzig

Cast

Raimund Schelcher

Krummer Anton

Erika Dunkelmann

Marthe

Karla Runkehl

Annegret

Erwin Geschonneck

estate inspector Bröker

Harry Hindemith

Kalle Buddenboom

Helga Göring

Christel Sikura

W

Wilhelm Puchert

Jens Voss

A

Angelika Hurwicz

Hede