Film Das Hirtenlied vom Kaisertal 1956

The Shepherd's Song of the Kaisertal (1956) The Shepherd's Song of the Kaisertal is an Austrian Heimatfilm (a genre of German-language films set in rural, often mountainous, areas) directed by Max Michel. Cast: Erich Auer: Jakob Lechner Hannelore Bollmann: Dairymaid Liesl Michael Ande: Shepherd Boy Hansl Willy Rösner: State Representative Alois Lechner Franziska Kinz: Katharina, his wife Paul Esser: Priest Franz Muxeneder: Blasi, farmhand at Lechner's farm Brigitte Antonius: Zenzi, maid at Lechner's farm Franz Fröhlich: Innkeeper and Mayor Huber Elfie Beer: Anni Huber, his daughter Ralph Boddenhuser: Sexton Walter Regelsberger: Lumberjack Franz Raoul Retzer: Milkman Plot: After a long period of study, Jakob Lechner returns to his village as a newly graduated economist. During his absence, his father, the state parliamentarian and farmer Alois Lechner, and innkeeper and mayor Huber decided that their two children should marry. Jakob, however, has no intention of marrying the young Anni Huber. He is instead drawn to Liesl, the dairymaid, who, along with her little brother Hansl, has been taken in by Lechner. Both work for him as a maid and a shepherd boy, living in an alpine hut. The village priest wants to stage a nativity play to celebrate the restoration of the Madonna statue in the church. Although Lechner recommends Anni for the role of the Virgin Mary, the priest decides to give Liesl the part. Uncertain but proud, she accepts the role and now rehearses diligently with the villagers participating in the play. Alois, in turn, forbids Jakob from seeing Liesl. After he leaves for a state parliament session, Alois nevertheless goes up to the alpine pasture to help Hansl search for a lost sheep. Alois is so outraged by Jakob's disobedience that he throws him out. Jakob moves to the county seat. The nativity play is a great success, but Liesl now often cries herself to sleep because Jakob has left. Hansl promises to find Jakob again, like the lost sheep. He secretly rides to the city on a milk truck. With the help of the city children, he finds Jakob, who, however, refuses to return to the village. Meanwhile, Alois's wife, Katharina, also makes serious accusations against her husband. He, however, cannot be persuaded, not even by the priest, so Katharina packs her things to go and find Jakob. Only now does Alois come to his senses. He goes to Liesl's place on the mountain pasture. A little later, Katharina appears in the village with Jakob and Hansl. Alois arrives and has brought Liesl with him—his sign that he accepts their relationship. Shortly afterward, the magnificent wedding of Liesl and Jakob takes place.