This movie, directed by Richard Oswald, is based on the operetta "Les contes de Hoffmann" by Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880), which is a genial musical potpourri from various short stories and novels by the Prussian writer, composer, painter, lawyer and judge E.T.A. Hoffmann (1776-1822). While Hoffmann's literary work was longtime considered to be merely fantastical, it was finally researched, in the last years, according to its metaphysical background. Characteristic for Hoffmann's work is his life-long fight against rationalism and for the revelation of nature morte, culminating mostly in carnival-like scenes anticipating literary techniques only described in the works of Bachtin and Bachelard.
Kurt Wolowsky
as junger Hoffmann
Max Ruhbeck
as Onkel
Paula Ronay
as Tante
Werner Krauß
as Conte Dapertutto
Friedrich Kühne
as Coppelius, Brillenhändler
Lupu Pick
as Spalanzani, Direktor eines Museums
Ernst Ludwig
as Rat Crespel
Nelly Ridon
as Frau Rat Crespel
Ruth Oswald
as kleine Antonia
Andreas Van Horn
as Dr. Mirakel
Erich Kaiser-Titz
as E.T.A. Hoffmann
Ferdinand Bonn
as Stadtrat Lindorf
