TMBTMB
TMBTMB

Track, discover and find where to watch TV shows and movies.

Discover

  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Browse
  • Topics

Account

  • Watchlist
  • Watched
  • Ratings

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Content Policy

© 2026 Movie Browser. All rights reserved.

Data provided by TMDB

Home
Browse
Watchlist
backdrop
backdrop
logo
The original girlboss pyramid scheme — 1870s Bavaria edition.
TMDB
100

Adele Spitzeder (1972)

Period satireScam queen energyBavarian chaos

Overview

ComedyTV Movie

The true story of Adele Spitzeder, who started her own private bank in 1870s Bavaria by promising everyone that gave her money high interest rates. Initially dubbed the "Angel of the poor", she was arrested for fraud after the whole scheme collapsed.

Flag of DEDEGerman
Content warning
based on true story

Standout Aspects

Acting

Ruth Drexel's magnetic, morally bankrupt charisma.

Costume

Period garb that screams 'trust me with your life savings'.

Score

Peer Raben's own music undercuts every promise.

Best for:Solo: For when you want to feel smug about modern scams.·Rewatch: Catch the foreshadowing you definitely missed.·Friends: Group viewing with your most gullible friend.
Heads up:Emotional: Working-class victims lose everything — played for uncomfortable laughs.
Peer Raben

Director

Peer Raben

ReleasedSep 18, 1972
Runtime1h 35m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
WDR
Filmverlag der Autoren

Top Cast

Ruth Drexel

Ruth Drexel

Adele Spitzeder

Rosemarie Fendel

Rosemarie Fendel

Frau Fleck

Monica Bleibtreu

Monica Bleibtreu

Elfie

Harry Baer

Harry Baer

Ludwig II.

Peter Kern

Peter Kern

Wirt

Rudolf Lenz

Rudolf Lenz

Polizeipräsident

Lilith Ungerer

Lilith Ungerer

Zweite Freundin

Ingrid Caven

Ingrid Caven

Günther Kaufmann

Günther Kaufmann

Rolf Schimpf

Rolf Schimpf

Ask about Adele Spitzeder

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Real Spitzeder's bank collapsed in 1872 with 32,000 depositors ruined; she died in prison four years later.

Insight

Raben was Fassbinder's composer; this rare directorial effort applies that same bleak musical irony to historical farce.

Gallery

Reviews

No ratings yet

Start the discussionBe the first to post — spoiler-safe
Rate & reviewBe the first to weigh in

Recommended

Bonanza: The Return movie poster (1993)
6.5

Bonanza: The Return

Psych: The Movie movie poster (2017)
7.3

Psych: The Movie

Psych 3: This Is Gus movie poster (2021)
6.9

Psych 3: This Is Gus

Return to Mayberry movie poster (1986)
6.2

Return to Mayberry

Clear History movie poster (2013)
6.1

Clear History

Dr. Strange movie poster (1978)
6.0

Dr. Strange

Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story movie poster (2005)
6.9

Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story

Henry Danger: The Movie movie poster (2025)
7.6

Henry Danger: The Movie

Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm movie poster (1999)
7.5

Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Cadet Kelly movie poster (2002)
6.2

Cadet Kelly

Oh, God! movie poster (1977)
6.4

Oh, God!

29th Street movie poster (1991)
7.0

29th Street

Bad Sister movie poster (2015)
6.6

Bad Sister

Thunderstruck movie poster (2012)
6.2

Thunderstruck

Lying to Be Perfect movie poster (2010)
6.0

Lying to Be Perfect

More Like This

Charlie Wilson's War movie poster (2007)
6.5

Charlie Wilson's War

The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case movie poster (1976)
6.5

The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case

Private Parts movie poster (1997)
6.5

Private Parts

Two for the Money movie poster (2005)
6.1

Two for the Money

Cocaine Bear movie poster (2023)
6.0

Cocaine Bear

Drei Tage im April movie poster (1995)
8.0

Drei Tage im April

The Greatest movie poster (2017)

The Greatest

The Children Nobody Wanted movie poster (1981)
5.6

The Children Nobody Wanted

Saint Ralph movie poster (2005)
7.0

Saint Ralph

The Concert movie poster (2009)
7.2

The Concert

Taking Chance movie poster (2009)
7.2

Taking Chance

Japan movie poster (2023)
3.4

Japan

Torremolinos 73 movie poster (2003)
6.2

Torremolinos 73

Dempsey movie poster (1983)
6.3

Dempsey

Discussion

Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.

Discussion starters

View all comments →