Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Das Sams" is a German 100-minute movie from 2001, so this one had its 15th anniversary last year. It is the most known work by Ducthn director Ben Verbong. Paul Maar and Ulrich Limmer worked on the script here and Maar is also the writer of the Sams books. Apparently, this film here was quite a success because they made a sequel shortly afterward and a third movie not too long ago. But as for this first film here, it won Eva Mattes a German Film Award and got Ulrich Noethen a nomination as well as taking home the big prize for best children's films. This is actually pretty amazing as you rarely see kids-oriented films getting such recognition. However, I think it is also a good watch for grown-ups. And even for people who are not aware of the books at all. Like myself, who has only read a few pages of the very first book. I think Noethen (like in Petterson & Findus recently) once again proves that he is really good in carrying films that are primarily aimed at children and he is certainly among Germany's best right now from his age group. The supporting players (Mattes, Rohde, Szyszkowitz) are fun too, even if they are just in one scene like Heinrich Schafmeister.Now about the story, it is extremely absurd of course, but the fantasy element and the character of Sams justify it all and make it genuinely entertaining. I am not really much of a fan of Christine Urspruch on Tatort (she appeared in this film briefly before her first appearance as Alberich) and I have never seen Dr. Klein, but as for her career-defining big-screen role here as Sams, I think she was a really good casting decision and fits the character nicely in terms of her line delivery, even if at least 50% of it is the makeup I'm sure. So what else is there to say. I quite enjoyed the film here and even if the romance aspect is a bit over the top at the end perhaps, it was still genuinely enjoyable throughout with all the entertaining magic the Sams provides in its(?) most unusual awkward approach. I will definitely check out films 2 and 3 at some point in the (possibly near) future hoping they are as good and I hope maybe they make a 4th film at some point too. Until then, you should really see this one here how it all started.

missmarmite This a film for the young at heart - or the little ones, of course!Actually it's a children's film. But it's definitely more than that. It's warm, extremely well written - well, like the books it's based upon - superbly directed and offers excellent actors in excellent performances.Christine Urspruch masters the title role of the droll goblin-like creature with style. She "is" the Sams. Ulrich Noethen as her "pappa" gives a brilliant performance throughout the whole film but especially so in the dancing scene in the restaurant. I laughed tears and admired the choreography. Armin Rohde and Eva Mattes are terrific in the main supporting roles. Watching them eating sausages on an oversized table is just hilarious.But all this doesn't work to perfection without a perfect script. And this one is straight perfect. At last there we have the proof that good children's films can be made in Germany. It happens only once in a while, but at least it happens. This time it did!I hope Das Sams II will be as pleasant to watch as this one. With the same team they can't fail! And I love to laugh!

Karl Self "Das Sams" is based on an absolutely brilliant series of four children's books by Paul Maar. When I saw it in the cinema, my eleven - year - old nephew as well as all the other kids in the audience really got a kick out of it. Personally though, being somewhat more mature than the target audience and a seasoned cineast to boot, and not least because I literally grew up with the original books and the audio play, I must admit that the film didn't fulfill all my expectations. I would have liked the film to have a slower pace, to focus more on the main characters rather than hustle from scene to scene; especially so as Eva Mattes (as "Frau Rotkohl") and especially Christine Urspruch (as "das Sams") put in brilliant performances -- Ulrich Noethen ("Herr Taschenbier"), August Zirner ("Herr Oberstein"), Armin Rohde ("Herr Mon") and Aglaia Szyszkowitz (as Taschenbier's object of desire, "Frau März"), on the other hand, are somewhat less stellar. And I could have done without the soppy love story and the happy family ending. Oh well, as long as the kids are happy, "Das Sams" is well worth the price of the cinema ticket. In any case, I can only recommend that you read the book to your children. Before seeing the film, afterwards, or instead.