Das Stacheltier - aber genau! 1965
In "Das Stacheltier - aber genau! (1965)", the short-lived but sharp East German comedy directed by Heinz Thiel, an electrician from a service combine arrives at a customer's door—only to discover that bureaucracy and absurd paperwork can be just as tangled as any wiring.
Director: Heinz Thiel
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Das Stacheltier - aber genau! (1965) about?
This East German comedy follows an electrician who's sent to fix a tenant's doorbell, only to face a secretary who meticulously tracks every movement for billing purposes. What begins as a simple repair job spirals into a humorous battle over exaggerated travel surcharges and paperwork gone wild.
Who directed Das Stacheltier - aber genau!?
Heinz Thiel directed this short comedy, bringing a sharp, observational style to the absurdities of East German bureaucracy.
Who stars in Das Stacheltier - aber genau!?
The film features Ingeborg Naß as the meticulous secretary Anna Naß, Werner Lierck as the electrician, and Herbert Köfer as the tenant.
Is Das Stacheltier - aber genau! (1965) worth watching?
While it's a niche film from East Germany's comedy tradition, its brevity and sharp humor make it a fun watch for fans of vintage short films. Since it's unrated and only five minutes long, it's more of a curiosity than a must-see, but its wit stands out in the genre.
How long is Das Stacheltier - aber genau!?
The film runs for 5 minutes.
About Das Stacheltier - aber genau! (1965) — A 5-Minute Comedy Masterpiece of East German Wit
In "Das Stacheltier - aber genau! (1965)", the short-lived but sharp East German comedy directed by Heinz Thiel, an electrician from a service combine arrives at a customer's door—only to discover that bureaucracy and absurd paperwork can be just as tangled as any wiring. His secretary, Anna Naß, meticulously records every step he takes (and every knock he makes) on her stopwatch, calculating travel surcharges that turn a simple repair job into a comical tug-of-war over pennies. When the tenant insists on paying only for the actual work, the clash between rigid process and real-world pragmatism escalates in a punchy five-minute satire. With its snappy pacing and understated humor, this brief film captures the everyday frustrations of East German life through a lens that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
At its core, "Das Stacheltier - aber genau!" thrives on the contrast between the electrician's no-nonsense approach and the secretary's relentless paperwork, creating a microcosm of inefficiency that's as relatable today as it was in 1965. Thiel's direction leans into the absurdity of the situation, using sharp dialogue and exaggerated moments to highlight the absurdity of red tape. The film's breezy run time belies its sharp wit, making it a standout in the comedy genre of its era.