Der große Trick: A Dusty Bit of Old-School Charm

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for really, really old Austrian comedy. If you’re looking for snappy modern pacing, skip this. It’s for the folks who want to see how comedy worked when it was still basically just a filmed stage play.

Karl Farkas carries this thing on his back. You can tell he’s used to working a crowd, not a camera.

The vibe

It’s got that weird, stiff energy. Everything feels like it was filmed in a room that hasn't seen sunlight in a decade. Hans Moser is in here, obviously. You know the drill with him—the mumbling, the grumpy face, the whole bit. It’s comforting in a way, like watching an old uncle repeat the same joke for the hundredth time.

There’s a moment near the middle where a prop literally wobbles. The camera didn’t cut away. It just stayed there, wobbling, while they kept talking about some 'big trick.' It’s kind of funny if you don't take it seriously.

Small observations

• The lighting is incredibly harsh. Like, 'why is everyone squinting?' harsh.
• Attila Hörbiger tries to look serious, but you can see he’s about to crack up in at least three scenes.
• The dialogue is so fast-paced it feels like a marathon. My ears were tired by the end of it.

Watching this reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in The Girl from Maxim's, though with way less polish. It’s not as smooth, but it has this weird, jagged personality that’s hard to hate.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even close. But it’s a tiny little piece of history. Sometimes, that’s enough. 🎭

The ending just sort of... happens. It’s like they realized they ran out of film and just decided that was the finish line. A bit abrupt, but honestly? Fine by me.