Nesthäkchen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nesthäkchen |
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| Starring | Doris Kunstmann Christian Wolff Susanne Uhlen |
| Country of origin | Germany |
Nesthäkchen is a popular German TV series that first aired in 1983. It was the fifth "Christmas series" shown by the ZDF television channel. The show is based on a series of beloved books by Else Ury, including Nesthäkchen and Her Dolls, Nesthäkchen's First School Year, and Nesthäkchen in the Children's Sanitorium. The story follows a young girl named Annemarie Braun, who is nicknamed Nesthäkchen. She is the youngest child in a doctor's family and grows up in Berlin with her older brothers, Hans and Klaus. Their adventures take place during the time of the German Empire, just before the First World War.
Contents
Annemarie's Story
The TV series begins in Berlin in the early 1900s. Annemarie's father, Dr. Ernst Braun, is a respected doctor. He and his wife, Elsbeth, raise their children with traditional values of that time. Annemarie is the youngest of their three children, and her father especially adores her. The family lives in a large apartment in Charlottenburg, a district of Berlin. The famous Charlottenburg Palace even appears in the show's opening credits. Other important family members include Annemarie's grandma, her nanny Lena, and the household servants.
A Happy Childhood in Berlin
Annemarie enjoys a happy childhood with all the advantages of a wealthy family. She has many dolls and her father often lets her get away with playful mischief. For example, she frequently uses the funny word "Donnerknispel" (a mild swear word) without getting into trouble. One day, she accidentally throws her father's new barometer (a weather tool) off the wall. Instead of punishing her, her father calmly explains how the instrument works.
New Experiences and School Days
The series also shows Annemarie's holiday with her uncle Heinrich and aunt Käthe on a farm in Bavaria. After this trip, the children clearly show the influence of country life, but their mother soon helps them return to their proper city manners. Annemarie's nanny, Lena, sleeps in Annemarie's room. One day, Annemarie disobeys and plays in a simple Berlin backyard with other children. Lena then suggests sending Annemarie to kindergarten.
In kindergarten, Annemarie is the smartest child among her classmates, who all come from well-off families. Later, when she attends grade school, Annemarie continues to be an excellent student. Her father is especially proud of her good report cards.
Adventures and World War I
During her school years, Annemarie gets scarlet fever, a childhood illness. To help her recover, she travels to Amrum, an island, to stay in a children's sanatorium (a special hospital for long-term care). There, she has exciting adventures, including exploring the tricky Wadden Sea and meeting the kind director of the sanatorium, Mrs. Clarsen, who is a captain's widow.
While Annemarie is at the sanatorium, the First World War begins. She faces many difficulties returning to Berlin. A happy family reunion follows, but the war has a sad effect on the family. Annemarie's older brother wants to join the navy, and Dr. Braun, her father, starts wearing the uniform of a medical officer under his doctor's white coat.
Behind the Scenes
Casting and Viewership
To show Annemarie growing up, two different young actresses played her character. The actors playing her brothers, Klaus and Hans, and her school friend Margot were also played by two different people as they aged.
The six episodes of the Nesthäkchen series, which aired as part of the ZDF Christmas program in 1983, were very popular. They attracted about twelve million viewers!
Production Details
Nesthäkchen was the first time that the director, the son of famous comedian Heinz Erhardt, directed a TV series. The show was made with great care, featuring many outdoor scenes and extra actors. All the costumes and settings had to be carefully chosen to look like the early 20th century.
Watching the Series
The Nesthäkchen series has been released for home viewing on both VHS tapes and DVDs. In 2005, DVDs with three episodes were released in January and May. Later, in October 2009, a new complete boxed set was released, containing all six episodes of the series.
