The Clown
1976, German. Directed by Vojtěch Jasný.
Based on the best-selling novel by Nobel-laureate Heinrich Böll, this drama is a passionate indictment of Catholicism. Hans Schnier (Helmut Griem) has earned his living as a clown, though he is in fact a very covert sort of social critic. After enduring a difficult childhood in Bonn during the Second World War, including his mother's fanatic Nazism, he is appalled to discover many of the people he knows and loves swept deeply into involvement in the Catholic Church.
- Runtime
- 1h 51m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- German
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch The Clown
The Clown isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 14 January 1976.
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Cast & crew
- Vojtěch JasnýDirector
- Helmut GriemHans Schnier
- Hanna SchygullaMarie
- Eva Maria MeinekeThe Mother
- Hans Christian BlechDerkum
- Jan NiklasLeo, Hans’ Bruder
- Helga AndersSabine
- Rainer BasedowZohnerer, Schniers Agent
- Claudia ButenuthMonika Silvs
- Dirk DautzenbergHerr Silvs
- Gustav Rudolf SellnerCast
- Alexander MayCast
- Ben HeckerCast
Details
- Released
- 14 January 1976
- Original title
- Ansichten eines Clowns
- Country
- Germany
- Written by
- Vojtěch Jasný
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News & fan talk
What The Clown is based on
The Clown is based on The Clown (1963) by Heinrich Böll, published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch.
1963
The Clown
By Heinrich Böll
Published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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The Clown: quick answers
Is The Clown worth watching?
The Clown doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Clown?
The Clown runs 111 minutes (1h 51m).
Does The Clown have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Clown. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Clown parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Clown yet.
Which OTT platform is The Clown on?
The Clown isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 14 January 1976. (Checked 9 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Clown?
If you liked The Clown, try The German Lesson, In the Aisles, All Day and a Night.
Who directed The Clown?
The Clown (1976) was directed by Vojtěch Jasný and stars Helmut Griem, Hanna Schygulla, Eva Maria Meineke.
What is The Clown based on?
The Clown is based on The Clown (1963) by Heinrich Böll, published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch.