| HEART OF STONE | PRESS RELEASE
Groundbreaking East German cinematic masterpiece and beloved fantasy classic
[For immediate release] Eureka Entertainment to release HEART OF STONE, the groundbreaking East German cinematic masterpiece and beloved fantasy classic, presented on Blu-ray from a breathtaking 2K restoration by the DEFA Foundation. Available from 23 June 2025 as part of The Masters of Cinema Series, in a Limited edition of 2000 copies exclusively featuring an O-card slipcase and collector's booklet.
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.
Heart of Stone (Masters of Cinema) New & Exclusive Trailer https://youtu.be/IxKz4737wog
Available to order from UK: Eureka Store https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/heart-of-stone/
[ENDS] To REQUEST A REVIEW SCREENER and for all other PRESS ENQUIRIES IN THE UK please contact Steve Hills, steve@eurekaentertainment.co.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS DETAILS:
Label: Eureka Entertainment
HEART OF STONE (Das kalte Herz) (Masters of Cinema) Limited Edition Blu-ray LUTZ MOIK | LOTTE LOEBINGER | HANNA RUCKER | PAUL ESSER | PAUL BILDT | ERWIN GESCHONNECK Director PAUL VERHOEVEN* | 1950 | 104 mins | EAST GERMANY | FANTASY Language GERMAN | 1.37:1 OAR | Region B | Cert. TBC | 23 JUNE 2025 Blu-ray Cat. No. EKA70584 | Blu-ray Barcode 5060000705843 | Blu-ray Dealer Price £15.65
* This German director should not be confused with the Dutch filmmaker of the same name, who directed RoboCop, Total Recall, Flesh and Blood, and several other notable films.
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES*:
Limited edition of 2000 copies | Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Carly-AF | Limited edition collector's booklet featuring new writing on Heart of Stone by Qinna Shen, author of The Politics of Magic: DEFA Fairy-Tale Films | Heart of Stone presented in 1080p HD from a 2K restoration of the original 35mm camera negative by the DEFA Foundation | Optional English subtitles on the main feature and accompanying shorts, newly revised for this release | New audio commentary by DEFA historian Seán Allan, author of Screening Art: Modernist Aesthetics and the Socialist Imaginary in East German Cinema | Once Upon a Time in the East – new interview with Soviet cinema expert Claire Knight on Heart of Stone and children's media in the Eastern Bloc | Tales from the Black Forest – new video essay on Heart of Stone, folktales and gothic horror by film and literature scholar Mary Going | The Bremen Town Musicians (Bruno J. Böttge, 1954) – silhouette folktale short produced by the DEFA Studio for Animation Film | The Magic Ring (Bruno J. Böttge, 1957) – silhouette folktale short produced by the DEFA Studio for Animation Film | Thumbelina's Adventures (Christl Wiemer, 1958) – animated folktale short produced by the DEFA Studio for Animation Film | Original theatrical trailer | * All extras subject to change
KEY SELLING POINTS
One of the most commercially successful films produced in the GDR until DEFA was dissolved in 1992 | The film's timeless appeal for family audiences is rooted in its fairy tale origins, inspired by Wilhelm Hauff's cherished German tale | One of the first colour films produced by the DEFA studio. It marks a milestone in East German film history | Presented as part of the award-winning Masters of Cinema Series on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK from an astonishing 2K restoration by the DEFA Foundation | Limited edition of 2000 copies exclusively featuring an O-card slipcase and collector's booklet
ASSETS
Stills and imagery may be downloaded from the following link https://www.flickr.com/gp/eurekavideo/49CKX7RmC6
Press Release HEART OF STONE_Press Release.pdf
ABOUT EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT Eureka Entertainment is the leading independent distributor of classic silent/early films in the UK, its catalogue also contains World Cinema, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Indie Dramas, Hollywood Classics, Comedy and Thriller films as well as a wide selection of TV titles. MASTERS OF CINEMA In 2004, Eureka! established the Masters of Cinema Series, a specially curated Blu-ray and DVD collection of classic and world cinema using the finest available materials for home viewing. Films are presented in their original aspect ratio, in meticulous transfers created from recent restorations and / or the most pristine film elements available. The feature presentations are frequently supplemented by short films, documentaries, commentary tracks, deleted scenes, trailers, plus new and vintage footage. Each release also includes an accompanying booklet featuring rare imagery, newly commissioned essays and / or classic writings that take the reader further into the process of the films and the personalities of the filmmakers. Titles that have been showcased within the series include The General (1924, Keaton), Metropolis (1927, Lang), The Old Dark House (1932, Whale), Paths of Glory (1957, Kubrick), Touch of Evil (1958, Welles), Kes (1969, Loach), A Touch of Zen (1971, Hu) and Shoah (1985, Lanzmann). EUREKA CLASSICS In 2014, Eureka! established Eureka! Classics to highlight a broader selection of cinema, with each release guided by similar principles to its award winning The Masters of Cinema Series. Titles released under Eureka! Classics range from influential cult films such as Blacula (1972, Crain) and Cujo (1983, Teague), alongside beloved classics like Valley Girl (1983, Coolidge), Police Story (1985, Chan), Fright Night (1985, Holland) and The Millionaires' Express (1986, Hung). For more information, please visit Eureka Entertainment's website.
Kind regards Steve Hills
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