Hans im Glück (1949)

The plot of the black-and-white film closely follows the story of the Grimm fairy tale. The hardworking miller's apprentice Hans sets off on his travels to discover the wide world. As payment for his work, his master gives him a lump of gold to take along. On his way home, he meets a series of swindlers who gradually rob him of his reward. First, Hans trades his gold for a horse, the horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, and the pig for a goose. He gives the goose in exchange for a grindstone along with an ordinary fieldstone. Finally, while he is drinking, both stones fall into a well. At last he is happy. He is free of every burden—in every sense.