Finding your next obsession
Finding your next obsession

Erich Kästner’s beloved novel has been adapted for film or television six times since its publication in 1929; this 1935 British version was the first in English. Believed lost for decades, it was recently rediscovered by the BFI and has now been restored. The film moves the action from Berlin to London, where Emil goes to stay with his grandmother and cousin. Thereafter, the tale of Emil’s adventures with a gang of streetwise London children faithfully follows the original plot.
LUXEN Decision Guide
A tension-first choice where uncertainty, investigation, or escalating pressure is a major part of the appeal.
Best fit
Who it is for
Best suited to viewers who want a plot with questions to chase rather than a purely relaxed watch.
Commitment
Light commitment · 1h 10m
Use the runtime as a quick check against how much time you have tonight.
Start here
Read the synopsis.
Read the synopsis, then use the comedy and crime cues to decide whether the tone fits.
Cast
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