Das Schulgespenst

In this German ghost story, a mischievous little girl swaps places with a ghost, and enjoys stirring up trouble in ghostly form. But when she wants to switch back, the snotty and ungrateful ghost won't cooperate. Mayhem ensues, but the cheesy animated effects are so primitive that it's hard to get caught up in the action sequences. There's not really much of a story outside of the effects gimmick, and there's certainly no clever dialogue or gags. The little girl who plays the lead is fairly adorable, but the ghost is more irritating than scary or funny. Only a European audience could get any pleasure out of the outlandishly goofy theme song.

This motion Picture made in the year 1986 belongs to the most popular movie productions for children in socialist East Germany. As it was also broadcast in West Germany I got to see it when I was about 7 or 8. I loved the story and the atmosphere of "Das Schulgespenst".I just saw "Das Schulgespenst" again recently and remembered how I enjoyed seeing it as a child even if the special effects of the movie may seem primitive today and cannot even be compared with the contemporary Hollywood movies. Of course you should always be aware of the fact that this movie was filmed in East Germany and contains and is of course in accordance with the ideals and attitudes of this society. Conclusion: If you don't expect great special effects or a overly sentimental story with sugary happy ending made in an expensive set then this is clearly not the movie you'd watch. However, if you want to enjoy an unsophisticated but entertaining and heartwarming movie for the fun of it you will enjoy this one. I always prefer a movie made in a real environment with a story not killed by special effects and honest artists not cast for looks only. Thumbs up for "Das Schulgespenst"