The Wild Duck Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: The Wild Duck
| Movie | The Wild Duck |
| Release Year | 1976 |
| Director | Hans W. Geißendörfer |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 105 minutes (1h 45m) |
| Language | DE |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Wild Duck (1976) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 9.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Wild Duck are led by Bruno Ganz . The supporting cast, including Peter Kern and Anne Bennent , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Wild Duck stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Wild Duck has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Wild Duck
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1976, The Wild Duck is a Drama film directed by Hans W. Geißendörfer, written by Hans W. Geißendörfer. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Bruno Ganz as Gregers Werle.
Ending Explained: The Wild Duck
The Wild Duck Ending Explained: Consul Werle holds a reception in honour of the homecoming of his son Gregers. Directed by Hans W. Geißendörfer, this 1976 drama film stars Bruno Ganz (Gregers Werle), alongside Peter Kern as Hjalmar Ekdal, Anne Bennent as Hedvig, seine Tochter, Jean Seberg as Gina Ekdal, seine Frau. With a 9/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of The Wild Duck?
Consul Werle holds a reception in honour of the homecoming of his son Gregers. At the reception, Gregers meets his childhood friend, Hjalmar Ekdal, who is married to Gina, a former maid of the Werle family. Hjalmar is unaware that Werle had an affair with Gina and that their 14-year-old daughter Hedwig is not his child. Gregers moves in with the Ekdals with the intention of allowing unsuspecting Hjalmar and his family to share in the "happiness of truth". Hedwig is entirely devoted to a wild duck, which lives on a pond outside their house. When Hjalmar learns the truth about his daughter, he wants to leave his family. Gregers advises Hedwig to kill the wild duck so that her father, impressed by this sacrifice, will return home. On the following day, Hedwig's birthday, she doesn't shoot the duck, but shoots herself instead.
Hans W. Geißendörfer's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Bruno Ganz (Gregers Werle)'s journey. At the reception, Gregers meets his childhood friend, Hjalmar Ekdal, who is married to Gina, a former maid of the Werle family.
How Does Bruno Ganz (Gregers Werle)'s Story End?
- Bruno Ganz: Bruno Ganz's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Hans W. Geißendörfer delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 45m runtime.
- Peter Kern (Hjalmar Ekdal): Peter Kern's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Anne Bennent (Hedvig, seine Tochter): Anne Bennent's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Wild Duck Mean?
The Wild Duck concludes with Hans W. Geißendörfer reinforcing the drama themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Bruno Ganz leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.
The Wild Duck Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Wild Duck Based on a True Story?
No, The Wild Duck is a work of fiction. While the drama film directed by Hans W. Geißendörfer and starring Bruno Ganz may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Wild Duck?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
The Wild Duck Parents Guide & Age Rating
1976 AdvisoryWondering about The Wild Duck age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Wild Duck (1976) is 105 minutes (1h 45m). Directed by Hans W. Geißendörfer, the film runs for 105 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 9.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Wild Duck is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1976 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Wild Duck worth watching?
The Wild Duck is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 9/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Wild Duck parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Wild Duck identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Wild Duck (1976)?
The runtime of The Wild Duck (1976) is 105 minutes (approximately 1h 45m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
