Image source: IMDb. (n.d.). [Die goldene Gans (1964)]. Retrieved 15 May, 2025, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183126/mediaviewer/rm1297390592/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk.
Siegfried Hartmann's 1964 take on The Golden Goose is mostly faithful to the original story. For those unfamiliar with it, it follows the youngest brother of three, who cuts down a tree to find a golden goose. As he brings the goose to the inn and to the castle, whoever touches him gets stuck. That gets the princess laughing. Before the marriage, a few more tasks precede the marriage.
However, the film makes multiple minor changes to the story. For instance, Dummling (his name in the original story) has been changed to Klaus (Kaspar Eichel). In addition, their mother and father, who were mentioned in the original tale, make no appearance. The innkeeper also has two daughters instead of three; Lies (Katharina Lind) and Gret (Renate Usko) additionally get stuck to Klaus before they arrive at the inn. Finally, the hungry old man becomes an old woman who takes no part in the pre-marriage tasks.
Another creative change is seen in multiple Disney films: the addition of a "troublemaker" villain who plans to kidnap the princess (Karin Ugowski). The last task involves not the old woman, but him.
The best parts of The Golden Goose are the technicolor palette (especially for Lies's red hair and the solid-color dresses) and the festive score. The instrumentals, like that in Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella, make me think of holidays. There are also a few songs, even though the film is not completely a musical.
The characters, though dubbed, are also charming. I especially appreciate how the princess has her moments of agency despite her submission to her father's arranged marriage plan. It is also interesting how Lies looks slightly like Anna from Frozen and the princess's dress and hairstyle is slightly reminiscent of Disney's Cinderella. Yet, they lack depth because the film is mostly faithful to the source material.
Overall, The Golden Goose is a festive treat for fairy tale fans who want to go beyond Disney. A bonus is that it is just over an hour long.
SCORE: Good (8.5/10)
AGE RATING: 6+
Have you seen The Golden Goose? What do you think about it?
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