Hans Christian Andersen (1952) on Netflix
Approved19521h 52mBiographyFamilyMusicalRomance
Cobbler Hans Christian Andersen spins fairy tales for the children of Odense until the schoolmaster banishes him. He and his apprentice Peter go to Copenhagen, where a ballet company hires him.
- Netflix3.8/5
- IMDb6.9/104,670 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes83%
Trailer
Plot summary
Hans Christian Andersen is a cobbler in the Danish town of Odense whose fairy tales draw the village children away from their lessons. The schoolmaster complains to the burgomaster and councilmen, and Hans is banished from the town. His teenage assistant, the orphan Peter, suggests they travel to Copenhagen, and the two make the sea voyage together. There Hans climbs onto a statue of the king and is arrested. A ballet company posts his bail and brings him to the theater, where he watches a rehearsal and meets Doro, the lead ballerina, who hands him her slippers to adjust. Hans is immediately smitten, though Peter learns that Doro is married to Niels, the choreographer.
Cast
- Jeanne Lafayetteas Celine
- Robert Malcolmas Stage Doorman
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Hans Christian Andersen (1952)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Danish authorities were not consulted for the film, and Denmark complained that it was a fairy tale rather than the true story of Andersen's life; the Danish Foreign Office considered issuing a formal protest against the film.
- The music for The Little Mermaid ballet in the film incorporates passages from pieces by Franz Liszt, including "Gnomenreigen" and the Mephisto Waltzes.
- "Inchworm" was featured in a Season 3 episode of The Muppet Show in which the guest star was Danny Kaye, the film's Hans Christian Andersen.
