The Merchant of Four Seasons (1972): Cast, Box Office & Plot
The Merchant of Four Seasons is a 1972 drama starring Hans Hirschmüller as Hans Epp, Irm Hermann and Andrea Schober. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $8,408 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 28m (88 min)
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
German - Studio
- Tango Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Merchant of Four Seasons About?
The premise of The Merchant of Four Seasons without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Hans, a street fruit peddler labeled a born loser, sparks his bourgeois family's disapproval, driving him into drinking and violence. After surviving a severe, debilitating heart attack, his stall finally gains success; the once‑hopeless venture blossoms with regular customers. Yet as he proves himself to his relatives, his depression deepens.
The Merchant of Four Seasons Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- drinking alcohol
- heart attack
- street vendor
- fruit salesman
- pub
- fruit seller
- unhappy marriage
- drinking heavily
- drinking
- rejecting parent
- wife is taller than husband
- drinking to death
+38 more Show fewer
- disappointment
- alcohol consumption
- boozer
- fruit
- alcoholic drink
- disdain
- giving a toast
- binge drinking
- working class
- caught having sex
- domineering mother
- schnapps
- nervous breakdown
- heavy drinking
- fruit cart
- self destructiveness
- male nudity
- brief male full frontal nudity
- market stall
- ex soldier
- volkswagen van
- houseguest
- old friend
- slapped in the face
- abusive husband
- telephone call
- bedroom
- blow job
- following someone
- director cameo
- homework
- merchant
- record player
- family dinner
- flashback
- toasting with a drink
- tied to a tree
- crying woman
The Merchant of Four Seasons Cast & Characters
Hans Hirschmüller leads the cast as Hans Epp, with Irm Hermann as Irmgard Epp and Andrea Schober as Renate Epp, Hans's daughter.
- Hans Hirschmüller as Hans Epp
-
Irm Hermann as Irmgard Epp - Andrea Schober as Renate Epp, Hans's daughter
- Ingrid Caven as Hans's great love
Also Starring in The Merchant of Four Seasons
· 15 more- Hanna Schygulla Anna Epp, Hans's sister
- Heide Simon Heide, Hans's married sister
- Karl Scheydt Anzell
- Klaus Löwitsch Harry
- Jürgen Prochnow Man at the Meeting Table
- Rainer Werner Fassbinder Zucker
- Daniel Schmid 1st Candidate
- Hark Bohm Polizei-Vorgesetzter
- Kurt Raab Kurt, Hans's brother-in-law
- Lilo Pempeit Kundin
- Peter Chatel Dr. Harlach
- Walter Sedlmayr Karren-Verkäufer
- El Hedi ben Salem Araber
- Elga Sorbas Marile
- Gusti Kreissl Mother Epp
The Merchant of Four Seasons Plot Summary
What happens in The Merchant of Four Seasons from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Munich in the 1950s introduces Hans Epp, Hans Hirschmüller, an ordinary but likable man who has just come home after years in the French Foreign Legion. His return is met with a bitter echo from his mother, who says, “The good die young, and people like you come back,” a line that sets the tone for a life lived under judgment and quiet disappointment. Hans works as a fruit peddler, calling out his wares as he makes the rounds through crowded residential streets, a routine that reflects his stubborn, unglamorous devotion to steady work and a dream of better days.
Full summary
The whole story of The Merchant of Four Seasons, scene by scene
The Merchant of Four Seasons Box Office
The Merchant of Four Seasons grossed $8,408 worldwide. $8,144 came from the US and Canada and $251 (3%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$8.4K
- US & Canada
- $8.1K
- International
- $251
The Merchant of Four Seasons Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Eric Rentschler on Fassbinder's THE MERCHANT OF FOUR SEASONS
How Well Do You Know The Merchant of Four Seasons?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Hans Epp’s profession?
Seen The Merchant of Four Seasons?
Movies Like The Merchant of Four Seasons
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Four Seasons, Four Windows and Summer ’04.
The Merchant of Four Seasons FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of The Merchant of Four Seasons, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Merchant of Four Seasons?
The Merchant of Four Seasons runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).
When was The Merchant of Four Seasons released?
The Merchant of Four Seasons was released on March 10, 1972.
Who is in the cast of The Merchant of Four Seasons?
The Merchant of Four Seasons stars Hans Hirschmüller as Hans Epp, Irm Hermann as Irmgard Epp and Andrea Schober as Renate Epp, Hans's daughter, among 19 credited actors.
How much did The Merchant of Four Seasons make at the box office?
The Merchant of Four Seasons grossed $8,408 worldwide ($8,144 domestic, $251 international).
Does The Merchant of Four Seasons have a post-credit scene?
No. The Merchant of Four Seasons has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Merchant of Four Seasons in?
The original language of The Merchant of Four Seasons is German.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
