This semi-fictional movie portrays the german soccer player Franz Beckenbauer. It shows the ups and downs of being a superstar.
Acting
Beckenbauer's wooden self-portrait is unintentionally hilarious.
Production
Bizarre blend of staged drama and real 1973 Bayern Munich footage.
Director
Wigbert Wicker
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Beckenbauer was at his absolute peak when this released—he'd just won the 1972 Euros and 1973 European Cup with Bayern. The timing makes this self-portrait even more fascinating.
This captures West Germany's obsession with 'Der Kaiser' before he actually won the 1974 World Cup—making it a preemptive hagiography of a man who hadn't finished becoming a legend.
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