What makes it different from others?

Good idea lost in the noise

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

The "Immenhof" from the franchise with the same name is still somewhat known today in Germany, which is pretty mentionable as this first film from the series already had its 60th anniversary last year. And still, some of the actors and actresses from "Die Mädels vom Immenhof" are still alive today. Unfortunately, judging from this one here, I cannot share the fascination some people still have for these films. I found it very generic and typical for German 1950s' movies, solid landscape photography, forgettable acting, interchangeable characters and a story that is not memorable at all sadly. There are a few decent moments I will admit in this film and it does not drag really that much thanks to being not even close to the 90-minute mark, but the fact that it is over quickly cannot make up for the flaws. Wolfgang Schleif is the director and he is also one of the writers and it is not the only Immenhof film he worked on. But his work here did not get me curious about any of the future films. I have to give it a thumbs-down.

In all fairness, the 'Immenhof' trilogy is nothing but a bit of fluff, held together by the youthful exuberance of Heidi Brühl and Angelika Meissner. On the other hand, they are handsomely mounted horse operas, German style. The horses are just ponies, the Wild West of Germany turns out to be the so called Holsteiner Schweiz in Schleswig-Holstein (the entire show was filmed on Gut Rothensande near Malente, one of Germany's most charming and beautiful landscape, with some scene shot in the famous city of Lübeck, still heavily destroyed by air-raids, the tower of St. Petri church still in ruins) but who cares with such charming young ladies in the lead? Even a few songs (not very good, alas) are thrown in. Some veteran actors bring substance to the silly going-ons, there is some mild romance, some very mild profanity, but nothing that might offend Aunt Augusta. Pure fun for the whole family and a prime example of the long neglected Heimatfilm genre. Frequently shown on German TV the original films are warmly loved by their fans.

Every genre has its own classics. This is part 1 of the so-called "Immenhof series", a cult "Happy holiday in the Heimat" series with 4 (!) sequels. This first part is by far the best with a decent script and attentive direction by Wolfgang Schleif.Do not expect too much of the story. It has the standard ingredients like the the arrogant city boy getting his come-uppance on the pony range and the financial trouble the owner of the range is in. But the film has a jolly atmosphere, nice scenery and a cast who has fun. Cast include the young Heidi Brühl and the bit older Angelika Meisner (my favourite young girl of the 50's German cinema),who are both fine to watch. The older generation is represented by good routinists Margarete Haacke and Paul Henckels.The film (and its 4 sequels) can now be seen with the original colours restored.