Der Schweinehirt

In order to save his kingdom from ruin Prince Augustin needs to find a bride. He sets his sights on the beautiful Emperor's daughter Victoria. Armed with the most valuable possessions of the realm he attempts to win her affections. She's only interested in artificial gifts however, and proceeds to give Augustin the cold shoulder. Refusing to give up, he takes up employment at the royal court as a pig farmer. At a junk-shop he exchanges his riches for a pot capable of conjuring up both soap bubbles and song, as well as a wooden rattle. Having caught wind of the farmer’s newly-gained possessions Victoria decides that she must have them both, in exchange for which he demands more than a few kisses.

In a break with Andersen's original the film reveals a modified ending, which contains the message that love knows no boundaries, as the main characters revel in the chance to break free and undergo a transformation of personality. AB