HEIDI

Switzerland/Germany, 2015, 110 minutes, Colour.
Anuk Steffen, Anna Schinz, Bruno Ganz, Quirin Agrippi, Peter Lohmeyer, Katharina Schuttler, Isabelle Otttman.
Directed by Alain Gsponer.

Heidi, written by Johanna Spyri, has been very popular over the decades on screen, including a 1930s version with Shirley Temple. It has had American remakes as well as European remakes. This version comes from Switzerland itself, the country of Heidi and her story.

Annuk Steffen is attractive as Heidi, orphaned, brought by her aunt to the mountains to stay with her crotchety grandfather, played by Bruno Ganz. She befriends a young boy who tends the goats, has to go to school, finds it difficult, charms her grandfather.

Later, her aunt will come from Germany to take her back to be a companion to a sickly young girl and her family. While Heidi does make friends with the young girl, she still yearns for the mountains. She leaves but her grandmother brings the sick girl to the mountains, gets to know the grandfather, sees Heidi in her natural surroundings. The sickly young girl responds very much to the mountains, life in the mountains, the friendliness of Heidi and her young friend.

Audiences have found the story charming over the decades – and this one continues the tradition.

1. The popularity of the stories by Johanna Spyri? The various film adaptations over the decades?

2. The period sitting, clothes, costumes, decor? The mountains, the Alpine scenery? The seasons? The homes, the streets of the town? The training? The contrast with Frankfurt, the big city, the mansion, interiors, the streets and the markets, the church tower? The musical score?

3. The focus on Heidi, her age, her parents dead, her aunt caring for her, the aunt and her opportunity for the job in Frankfurt, taking her to her grandfather, the comments of the townspeople, hostility towards the grandfather? Heidi, unwilling, going up the mountains, the grandfather’s refusal, the aunt running away? Her staying outside? The barn, the building of the goats, getting something to drink? Going inside the house, going up to the loft, hay? Only one chair? Her grandfather making a new one? His allowing her to stay? Overcoming his grumpiness? His flesh and blood? The bonding between them?

4. Peter, with the goats, wandering the mountains, Heidi going with him, their becoming friends? His taking the food? His having to go to school? Heidi and the visit to the home, his mother, the grandmother and her sight, inability to chew hard bread? Heidi later collecting the roles to give her for soft bread?

5. Heidi, remaining with her grandfather, the mountains, the bonding? His personality, mellowing?

6. The aunt’s return, wanting to take Heidi, the grandfather’s reluctance? To be a companion to the crippled girl? The aunt taking her without permission? The train ride, the house, meeting the governess, the strictness and primness, meeting Klara, their bonding, sharing classes, the room and chatter, Heidi and wanting to see the mountains, the two going out, in the market, Sebastian finding them, bring them home?

7. The personality of the governess, controlling, the attachment to Klara’s father, rules and regulations, timetables, classes, meals, bedtimes? The father’s return, her criticising Heidi, saying she was mentally deficient?

8. The classes, Heidi refusing to learn the alphabet? Klara’s grandmother arriving, telling Heidi the story, urging her to read to finish the story? Heidi and her skills? Wanting to write stories?

9. Klara upset, not saying goodbye to Heidi? Heidi going back to her grandfather, her happiness, meeting Peter again? Going to school, her ambition to write stories? While the other children were following in their parent’s footsteps?

10. The letters to Klara, Klara to visit, the grandmother, friendly with the grandfather, sharing the alcohol? Klara, a sense of freedom, removing her dress, welcomed by the grandfather? Peter, his surliness, throwing the wheelchair down the mountain? His having to come out from the rock?

11. The father, snob, not liking the atmosphere, insulted on behalf of Klara?

12. Out and about with Heidi, the mountains, the light, the air, the scenery, Klara standing up, encouraged to walk?

13. Heidi’s story, the little girl emerging, encouraged to write stories because she had seen more of the world? Klara’s story? A story of friendship?