Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel is a dark fairy tale, so well suited to the visual style and thematic interests of director Robert Eggers. The story will be familiar, but what makes this film fascinating is the recreation of 1920s German expressionism. One could easily mistake this for the work of Murnau or Robert Weine. The black and white photography is beautiful, and the production design is effective and eerie. Hugely impressive for an early, presumably low-budget, short film. That said, it does play as essentially a student exercise, albeit a high-standard one. Nice piece of work and clear sign of the talent Eggers would continue to demonstrate.

Robert Eggers' early short transforms the classic fairy tale into a silent, black-and-white fever dream steeped in German Expressionism. Without a single spoken word, the oppressive forest, stark lighting, and meticulous production design pull you into a world that feels ancient, cursed, and all too human. The absence of dialogue forces every gesture, shadow, and sound to carry meaning, revealing Eggers' fascination with folklore, moral dread, and historical authenticity. Even with limited resources, the craft and vision here foreshadow the atmospheric mastery of The Witch and The Lighthouse. A haunting, minimalist prelude to a remarkable career.

Robert Eggers chose the Grimm brothers' tale to begin making his first short film and it was a good choice to start with a piece of literature that has endured over time along with other classic tales. Hansel & Gretel is a fairly popular tale that has been embodied throughout film and television from different perspectives. It is mostly known by children's audiences because it has always been classified as a children's tale, but it also has another approach in which it is considered a horror tale. That is why versions such as the one by Tommy Wirkola or the saga produced by The Asylum were made, which offer a darker and more terrifying view of the original tale. Robert Eggers did the same with this version and tells the original tale with a much darker approach. The black and white photography and the effects that make it look like an old film give it a nice touch that also helps to hide any indication that it was made on a moderate budget. It is very well done and the shadows and atmosphere make this film a dark experience almost on the level of Nosferatu or Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari. Silent films have become less common with the advancement of technology, but Eggers managed to create a modern silent film that is quite effective. For his first short film, it is a work of art and leaves a good taste in the mouth to delve into this director's filmography. Hansel & Gretel (2007) is both a great adaptation of the classic tale and a promising start for Robert Eggers. My final rating for this short film is a 9/10.