I was disappointed when I first saw this film (i.e. compilation of the TV episodes and released on DVD) as, given the original title, I had assumed it would be a biopic covering the whole of Schiller's career and, particularly, of course his years in Weimar and collaboration with Goethe. In fact, Goethe only gets named a few times, never makes an appearance "in person" throughout the whole film and the latter's final shots are of the coach taking Schiller off TO Weimar! The title under which the film was released in English-speaking markets of "The YOUNG Schiller" was thus much more accurate as it covers his years from childhood to being a struggling young playwright trying to gain recognition (and for much of the time literally just to survive physically!) in Stuttgart. When I saw the film for a second time, thus not expecting any Weimar or Johann Wolfgang, I enjoyed it much more. The lead actor gives a tour de force performance (and fully deserved the Best Actor award he apparently achieved) and the film presents in very graphic and moving ways just what a series of bitter struggles (against court politics, envy, intrigues, penury verging on complete destitution, his own willfulness and lack of discipline (costing him love, health and (through his pig-headed estimation of his own worth) even income. The fact he does survive and sets off for the journey at the end which was to make him one of the greatest Germans who ever lived (a fact testified to all the more by the fact that such miserable and pitiful regimes of puny figures like Goebbels and Ulbricht were desperate to claim him as "one of their own") is a testimony to the spirit called up so effectively of "the Ode to Joy" in what is probably the most moving scene of the entire film). I am now looking forward to a third viewing at a future stage as well!
