The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser is a 1974 German drama film written and directed by Werner Herzog and starring Bruno S. and Walter Ladengast. The film follows the real story of Kaspar Hauser quite closely, using the text of actual letters found with Hauser, and following many details in the opening sequence of Hauser's confinement and release. One departure is his age; the historical Hauser was 17 when he was discovered in Nuremberg. The film does not specify Kaspar's age, but Bruno S. was 41 years old at the time of filming. The film follows Kaspar Hauser , who lived the first seventeen years... of his life chained in a tiny cellar with only a toy horse to occupy his time, devoid of all human contact except for a man who wears a black overcoat and top hat who feeds him. One day, in 1828, the same man takes Hauser out of his cell, teaches him a few phrases, and how to walk, before leaving him in the town of Nuremberg. Hauser becomes the subject of much curiosity, and is exhibited in a circus before being rescued by Herr Daumer , who patiently attempts to transform him.
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