Das Rätsel der Sandbank (1987 TV Movie) User Reviews

Wonderful excution of a classic story and 8 hrs long!

[warren149 · 10/10 · 1 December 2011]

Original title is Das Rätsel der Sandbank this was some sort of German TV series that has been issued as a 4 DVD movie.This is a perfect movie for a fan of the story. Unfortunately it's only available in German , no translation or subtitles. I sent a copy to my father he Immediately sat down for 8 hrs and watched the whole story even though he does not speak German! Drove my mother nuts but its such fun to watch what has been in your head for years. They did a really good job with making a period piece and trying to get the details right. The Dulcibella 'yacht' used is not as accurate as in the English movie but it's just the right sort of boat for the waters. The story is not a modern 'Block buster' so the movie is not either its a wonderful study of English doggedness and ingenuity. If you enjoy traditional sailing , a mystery and outdoor action all wrapped up in an accurate period piece this is it. You will need to watch in an unlocked all region DVD player and I had to buy it from Amazon Germany but its well worth it . warren

true, but ultimately failed attempt to turn a novel into a movie

[jantobi · 6/10 · 14 November 2006]

Erskine Childers's novel "The Riddle of the Sands", published in 1903, is a spy story set in Germany at the time of the "Kaiserreich". Due to the nature of the book, a long-winding and detailed novel about two men sailing in the Wadden Sea, a film showing two people doing just that would be slightly boring, but very true to the book. The German television series that was the longer version of this film does that very well, the film version tends to be reduced to highlights and therefore fails. (A BBC version starring Michael York leaves out the entire first part of the novel, by the way.) This is partly due to the casting, which combines well-known German actors (Peter Sattmann and Burkhard Klaußner - the latter appeared in "Goodbye Lenin") with Isabel Varrell, the singer of the title song, but not a convincing actress. What the film achieves, though, is to transport a feeling of the very unusual setting: Germany's North Sea coast and the Wadden Sea between the mainland and the islands. All in all, the film ultimately doesn't deliver the goods as the novel does, but is still worthwhile.