Heidi, a young orphan girl living with her aunt in Frankfurt, is forced to move to the Swiss Alps to live with her ornery grandfather. At first, he resents her presence, but, after a short while, Heidi manages to pierce his gruff exterior, and the two become close. She also befriends a young shepherd named Peter. After three years, Heidi's aunt arrives and demands Heidi's return to Frankfurt.
Cinematography
Switzerland never looked this good—practically a travel brochure.
Acting
Elsbeth Sigmund's Heidi is chaos sunshine incarnate.
Production
Actual mountain locations, not a soundstage in sight.
Director
Luigi Comencini
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Elsbeth Sigmund was discovered in a school play and never acted again after this film—one perfect performance and she ghosted Hollywood.
This adaptation cemented the 'Heidi formula' still used today: cute kid + grumpy elder + scenery porn = box office gold.
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CH
