The Battle of Morgarten
[original title: Morgarten findet statt]
Switzerland 1978. DCP 4:3; 35 mm; 16 mm, colour, 96 min.
In "The battle of Morgarten“ we see how Morgarten – a symbol of freedom – is celebrated and interpreted today.
| Director | Erich Langjahr und Beni Müller |
| With | Kavallerieverein Schwyz "Alte Schwyzer zu Ross", Teilnehmer 64. Morgartenschiessen 300m, Teilnehmer 21. Historisches Morgarten-Pistolenschiessen 50m, Schüler der Internatsschule Walterswil, Festprediger Pfarrer Josef Seiler (Sattel), Pfarrer Otto Imbach (Pfäffikon ZH), Festredner: Bezirksammann F. Schuler (Sattel), Ansprachen: Landammann Karl Bolfing (Kanton Schwyz), Divisionär Enrico Franchini Kommandant der Gebirgsdivision 9, Ansprache Schützengemeinde: Nationalrat Alois Hürlimann, im Weiteren: Kreiskommandant Kanton Zug Jules Steiner, Kreiskommandant Kanton Schwyz Josef Camenzind, Korpskommandant Georg Reichlin und weitere Vertreter von Behörden, Geistlichkeit und Militär |
| Photography | Johann Gfeller, Erich Langjahr, Werner Meier, Otmar Schmid |
| Sound | Roger Bonnot, Hanspeter Fischer, Justice Olsson, André Pinkus, Reiner Stahel |
| Editing | Erich Langjahr, Beni Müller |
| Collaborators | Recherchen: Hartwig Thomas Stagiaires: Mireille Eigner, Su Meili Mischung: Georges Juon |
| Duration | 96 min. |
| Format | DCP 4:3; 35 mm; 16 mm |
| Shooting format | 16mm 4:3 |
| Versions | DCP 4:3, Schweizerdeutsch, Untertitelversion deutsch und französisch 35mm, 96 Min., Farbe, Lichtton Dolby SR, 1:1.37 - 1:1.66, Schweizerdeutsch 35mm, 96 Min., Farbe, Lichtton Dolby SR, 1:1.37 - 1:1.66, Schweizerdeutsch, untertitelt deutsch/französisch |
| Sales DVD/Video | DVD, VHS [order] |
| Festivals | Solothurn, Nyon, Lille (FR), Cannes (FR), Paris (FR) Cinéma du réel und L'homme regarde l'homme, Mannheim (DE) und Leipzig (DDR), Hamburg (DE), Wels (A), Linz (A) |
| Screens | Programmkino in Zürich, Schwyz, Zug, Luzern und Baden; Parallelverleih (CH); Deutschland: Hamburg, Dortmund. |
| TV broadcasts | DRS, TV Suisse Romande, 3sat |
| Production | Langjahr-Film GmbH, Luegstrasse 13, CH-6037 Root Tel. +41-41-450 22 52 – Fax +41-41-450 22 51 E-mail: info@langjahr-film.ch – send this message – www.langjahr-film.ch |
| World Rights | Langjahr-Film GmbH |
| Distribution Switzerland and international | Langjahr-Film GmbH, Luegstrasse 13, CH-6037 Root Tel. +41-41-450 22 52 – Fax +41-41-450 22 51 E-mail: info@langjahr-film.ch – send this message – www.langjahr-film.ch |
| ISAN | 0000-0000-D7DD-0000-X-0000-0000-C |
| Suisa number | 0080.868 |
Press review
This film examines the way in which the battle of Morgarten is understood and realized today. "Is it patriotism, the instinct of self-protection, or simply a typically Swiss pleasure in festivities enjoyed year after year by the participants at the Morgarten Festival, asks the speaker at the end of the festivities. The pathos of the speech points to patriotism, the shooting competition to the instinct of self-protection; but the images in the film clearly indicate the tendency of the festivities.. In the writings of Gottfried Keller, who has provided us with the finest description of this festival, the festivities of the past become part of the present. The festival depicts the essential being of a community, and it also represents the embodiment of the nation. This ideal situation, as perceived by Keller, is sadly lacking today, and this fact is made all too evident by this film."
Luzerner Neuste Nachrichten, Kurt Büchi