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7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Champion Shot remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so you're looking at The Champion Shot, an old German comedy. Is it worth watching today? Yeah, if you're into those really specific, early film vibes. It's not for everyone, mind you. If you go in expecting snappy, modern humor, you’ll probably find it a bit… quaint. But for folks who like seeing how comedy worked back then, especially with a regional flavor, it's got some charm. People who hate films that take their sweet time or rely on cultural jokes from a different era? They'll likely find it a chore. 🤷♀️
The whole thing is built around this classic German regional rivalry: Bavaria versus Prussia. You've got Joe Stöckel playing the proud Bavarian, and Max Adalbert as his Prussian counterpart. They’re both these slightly puffed-up, confident types. Their squabbles start in business, naturally, but things really get going when they decide to settle it all at a local shooting match. It's a simple setup, for sure, but that's often the point with these older films.
What really stuck out for me was how much the film leans into those regional stereotypes. Stöckel's character, with his very particular Bavarian mannerisms, often feels like he’s playing to the crowd. He’s got this way of carrying himself, a certain swagger, that just screams 'Bavarian local hero.' Adalbert, on the other hand, brings a different kind of formality, a more precise, almost stiff energy that you'd associate with Prussia. It's not subtle, but it works for the comedy they're trying to build. You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment matters. 😂
The humor, a lot of it, comes from their back-and-forth, their one-upmanship. It's not laugh-out-loud slapstick, usually. More like a wry smile at their antics. There's a scene early on where they're trying to outdo each other with some business deal, and the expressions on their faces are just perfect. Subtle, but effective. It’s less about big gags and more about the personalities clashing.
When the actual shooting competition starts, the film slows down a touch. You get a real sense of the community gathering, the anticipation. The shots themselves are shown pretty straightforward, no fancy camera work to amp up the tension. It’s almost a documentary feel during those moments, which is kinda neat. One reaction shot lingers so long it becomes funny, especially when someone misses the target by a mile. You just wait and wait for the score to go up, and it doesn't. 😬
Berthe Ostyn and Gretl Theimer are in there too, mostly as the women who either support or gently prod our main rivals. They don't get a huge amount of screen time, but their presence adds a bit of groundedness to the men's silliness. Ostyn, in particular, has a few moments where she just looks exasperated, and it’s very relatable.
The pacing is… well, it’s 1931. Things move at their own speed. There are stretches where you might find your mind wandering a bit, especially when they're just walking or talking without a clear comedic punchline every few seconds. But then a specific line or a look from Stöckel will pull you right back in. The film gets noticeably better once it stops taking itself seriously and fully embraces the absurdity of two grown men fighting over a shooting trophy.
It's not a visually stunning cinematic experience, not by a long shot. But the simple sets, the way they framed the shots, it all feels very authentic to its time. You see details like the specific uniforms or outfits people wear, the way the town square is set up. Small things that are easy to overlook, but they paint a picture. There's a particular shot of the rifle range itself, with all the villagers gathered around, that just *feels* right. Like you're really there, watching the town's big event. 🏆
One small moment that stuck with me: during a celebration scene, there's an extra in the background who just keeps looking directly into the camera, like he's not quite sure what he's supposed to be doing. It's a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it thing, but it adds to that slightly imperfect, human feel of older films. You don't get that polished perfection you see today.
In the end, The Champion Shot is a pleasant little diversion. It’s not going to blow your mind or redefine comedy. But it offers a glimpse into a different kind of humor, a specific cultural context, and some genuinely good performances from its lead actors. It's like finding an old photo album; a bit faded, maybe not perfectly composed, but full of character and stories. If you enjoy films like Bockbierfest, you'll probably get a kick out of this too. Give it a shot, if you're in the mood for something gentle and a little historical. It’s an interesting piece of German cinema, if nothing else. 😊
IMDb —
1918
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