Salt & Gold

Growing up in Germany, I watched lots of fairy tales. For some reason, the Eastern European ones often seemed much more lovely, imaginable and likeable than some of the rather stiff German adaptations.

I do not know whether this is based on a Grimm fairy tale, or an original story, but it is very endearing nevertheless. An ageing king has 3 daughters, each of which is about to marry a prince. On the occassion of his birthday, he wants to give his entire kingdom to the daughter (and her future husband) who loves him the most. His two older daughter love him like gold and diamonds and other valuable stuff. His youngest daughter tells him she loves him like the salt of the earth, which enrages him so much that he banishes her, even though she explains that she needs salt to live, whereas gold is useless. Her husband-to-be, the prince of salt from the Netherworld, is taken away by his own father, the king of salt, and turned into a salt statue in a fit of rage, for being foolish enough to love an earth girl. And as the two kings meet, the salt king curses the other, turning all salt into gold forevermore... Of course, the young princess needs to go on a quest and rescue her lover, and her kingdom, where everyone is soon falling ill because of the lack of salt.

This movie is my second favourite fairy tale. It is enchanting and loveable. Almost up to the standards of "three hazelnuts for cinderella" - the best of the fairy tales produced by the same cast.