Archive notice: This article was originally published on July 29, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The novel is based on a dark and fascinating variation of the famous, fantastical German-Sorbian legend about a sorcerer’s apprentice dueling his master. A high-caliber cast shines in the faithful adaptation: David Kross (Krabat), Daniel Brühl (Tonda), Christian Redl (the Master), Robert Stadlober (Lyschko), Paula Kalenberg (Kantorka), Anna Thalbach (Worschula), Hanno Koffler (Juro) and Charly Hübner (Michal) play the leading roles.
The orphan Krabat (DAVID KROSS) begins an apprenticeship at a remote mill. He soon discovers a dark secret: the mill is a stronghold of sinister black magic. At first he is fascinated by the mysterious and powerful Master (CHRISTIAN REDL), the company of the eleven miller’s apprentices—including DANIEL BRÜHL and ROBERT STADLOBER—and especially by magic. The Master teaches his journeymen to move through time and space.
Transformed into ravens, they fly over forests and landscapes at night. When Krabat meets the peasant girl Kantorka (PAULA KALENBERG) on one of his excursions, he falls in love with her at first sight. But the relentless Master has other plans for him. To draw Krabat to his side, he offers him succession at the mill. The offer is tempting, but Krabat gradually realizes the high price of this power and that only the power of love can save him.
KRABAT was produced by Claussen+Wöbke+Putz Filmproduktion (BEYOND SILENCE, 23, ANATOMY, CRAZY, DISTANT LIGHTS) together with Krabat Filmproduktion and in co-production with SevenPictures Film and B.A. Produktion. The project was supported by Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, the FFA film funding agency, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg, the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and Kuratorium junger deutscher Film. KRABAT was developed with the support of the European Union’s Media Plus program.
Further Links:
- Film website
