Skip to content

Back to Blu-ray

Heart of Stone - The Masters of Cinema Series

£18.99

Released: 23rd June 2025. In 1950, DEFA - the state-owned film studio of East Germany or the GDR - embarked on what would prove to be a long tradition of producing films based on folktales by the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. German author Wilhelm Hauff provided the source for the studio's first folktale: The Cold Heart, which became Das kalte Herz or Heart of Stone. The first East German production to be shot in colour, it remained one of the most successful films the GDR ever produced until DEFA's dissolution in 1992. Peter Munk (Lutz Moik) lives in the Black Forest with his mother (Lotte Loebinger) and makes a modest living selling charcoal in the nearest town. He is deeply in love with the beautiful Lisbeth (Hanna Rucker) and equally as jealous of the arrogant Ezechiel (Paul Esser), a wealthy merchant who frequents the local tavern. Desperate to improve his social standing, Peter appeals to a mischievous forest spirit - the Glass Imp (Paul Bildt) - for help. The Imp grants Peter two wishes, but only with strict conditions attached that leave him wanting more. He then turns to the infamous Dutch Michael (Erwin Geschonneck), a reclusive warlock who can give Peter anything his heart desires - but only if he's willing to exchange his heart for one made of stone. By turns whimsical, weird and darkly macabre, Heart of Stone is an arrestingly beautiful work of fantasy that established a template for DEFA's future folktales - including a penchant for scenes likely to induce nightmares in children - and was swiftly followed by the likes of The Devil from Mill Mountain, The Singing Ringing Tree and Rumpelstiltskin. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present Heart of Stone on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from an astonishing 2K restoration by the DEFA Foundation.

More info

Format

Blu-ray

There was an error adding this product to your basket. Please try again.

Delivery to the UK only
*Free UK delivery on orders over £20
(exclusions apply)
Your order contains pre-orders
Dispatched prior to release date
Ring & Reserve
Can't wait to get your hands on this? Ring to reserve at your local store, subject to availability: 03333 230 667
Click & Collect
Get it delivered to a store near you with FREE Click & Collect available on this product.
  • Details

    Released:
    23rd June 2025
    Category:
    World Cinema
    Studio:
    Eureka
    Format:
    Blu-ray
    Barcode:
    5060000705843
  • Description

    In 1950, DEFA - the state-owned film studio of East Germany or the GDR - embarked on what would prove to be a long tradition of producing films based on folktales by the likes of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. German author Wilhelm Hauff provided the source for the studio's first folktale: The Cold Heart, which became Das kalte Herz or Heart of Stone. The first East German production to be shot in colour, it remained one of the most successful films the GDR ever produced until DEFA's dissolution in 1992. Peter Munk (Lutz Moik) lives in the Black Forest with his mother (Lotte Loebinger) and makes a modest living selling charcoal in the nearest town. He is deeply in love with the beautiful Lisbeth (Hanna Rucker) and equally as jealous of the arrogant Ezechiel (Paul Esser), a wealthy merchant who frequents the local tavern. Desperate to improve his social standing, Peter appeals to a mischievous forest spirit - the Glass Imp (Paul Bildt) - for help. The Imp grants Peter two wishes, but only with strict conditions attached that leave him wanting more. He then turns to the infamous Dutch Michael (Erwin Geschonneck), a reclusive warlock who can give Peter anything his heart desires - but only if he's willing to exchange his heart for one made of stone. By turns whimsical, weird and darkly macabre, Heart of Stone is an arrestingly beautiful work of fantasy that established a template for DEFA's future folktales - including a penchant for scenes likely to induce nightmares in children - and was swiftly followed by the likes of The Devil from Mill Mountain, The Singing Ringing Tree and Rumpelstiltskin. The Masters of Cinema series is proud to present Heart of Stone on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from an astonishing 2K restoration by the DEFA Foundation.
    Region Code:
    Region B
    Duration:
    104 minutes
    Original Language:
    German
    Extras:
    Language(s): German, Subtitles: English, Interactive Menu, Screen ratio 1 - 1.37:1, Booklet, Bonus Footage, Commentary: Sean Allan (DEFA historian/author)., Documentaries: 'Tales from the Black Forest'., Interviews: Claire Knight (Soviet cinema expert)., Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Carly-AF; Silhouette folktale shorts: 'The Bremen Town Musicians' (Bruno J. Bottge, 1954); 'The Magic Ring' (Bruno J. Bottge, 1957); Animated folktale short: 'Thumbelina's Adventures' (Christl Wiemer, 1958)., Trailers
  • Delivery and Returns

    Delivery charges

    • Orders under £20 - £2.99 postage fee
    • Orders £20 and over - FREE*
    • Click & Collect - FREE**
    • Express Delivery - £5.99
    *Selected items are only available for shipping via a dedicated delivery service for a charge.
    **Selected items are only available for delivery using Click & Collect to an hmv or FOPP store of your choice.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    When will my order arrive?

    • We aim to dispatch orders within 24 hours* 
    • Standard delivery is a Royal Mail Tracked 48® service and usually arrives within 2-5 working days, including Saturdays. 
    • Express delivery is either a Royal Mail Tracked 24® or DPD service, for delivery within two working days (if ordered by 2pm, Monday to Friday - excluding public holidays).
    • We’ll aim to dispatch pre-orders so that you receive them on the release date.
    *Items must be in stock to be dispatched within these timeframes. Where an item is 'Back in stock soon', we'll aim to receive more stock within a week and will dispatch orders once the stock has arrived.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.

    Will you tell me when my order is on its way?

    • We’ll send you a dispatch email when your items are on their way, but you can also check the status of your order in your account.
    • We don’t always ship everything together so check your dispatch email for more details - we’ll send you a dispatch email per parcel.
    • If your order contains items that are out of stock, we’ll ship the in-stock items as soon as we can and will dispatch the out-of-stock items as soon as we’ve received more stock.
    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    Trusted Suppliers

    Products labelled '*item fulfilled by Exertis on behalf of hmv' will be supplied to you directly by Exertis via their approved couriers. When you place an order for an item that is fulfilled by Exertis, your details shall be forwarded to them so that they can fulfil the order, and to their courier so that they can deliver the item.


    Returns

    • We're happy to accept returns for unwanted items provided that they're returned within 14 days of receipt; unopened, unused and in perfect condition.
    • Some exclusions apply, please visit the Returns section of our Help Centre for more details. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

I'd love to hear about offers and promotions from hmv*