“Manitou’s Canoe” is coming to cinemas: Does the humor still work?

Looking at the list of the ten most successful German films, you might think we Germans are a particularly funny bunch. The reunification comedy "Goodbye Lenin" (10th place) and Doris Dörrie's romantic comedy "Der bewegte Mann" (9th place) are right up there with "Fack ju Göhte" (5th place) and "Otto – der Film" (3rd place). Tucked away somewhat shamefacedly in 7th place is "The Schoolgirl Report" from 1970.

The sillier, the better, is the easily understandable conclusion from the domestic cinema charts, where Michael "Bully" Herbig's "Der Schuh des Manitu" has reigned unchallenged at the top for 24 years with more than 11.7 million viewers. Herbig's Western parody, which still bravely defends its cult status on streaming platforms today, divided opinions even back then.

Some giggled themselves into delirium. Others shrugged their shoulders in bewilderment at the work's humorous innocence. But the film fit well into that carefree summer of 2001, which would shortly thereafter culminate in a global paralysis of fear with the attacks of September 11. Herbig deserves great credit for having resisted the temptation and pressure to follow up the successful film with a sequel – so far.

In Hollywood, the story would have long since been expanded into a "Manitu Cinematic Universe." Now, after 24 years, Herbig and his co-screenwriters Christian Tramitz and Rick Kavanian have dug up the folding chair again – with "Manitu's Canoe." But does the fundamentally harmless humor of this Western parody still work today?

After all, we live in an age of bitter culture wars, in which "woke" advocates and their opponents wage relentless war on each other on social media. "Indian" has long since become a taboo word in politically correct parlance, and the concept of cultural appropriation has become the new benchmark. Yet "Der Schuh des Manitu," which parodied the Karl May films of the 1960s, actually poked fun at this German prototype of cultural appropriation.

This also applies to the sequel, "Manitu's Canoe," which handles the charged expectations with astonishing ease. When the "I-word" is mentioned for the first time a few minutes into the film, Herbig's Apache chief Abahachi casually remarks in his finest Bavarian, "Sogt's net Indianer bitte," and gets laughs from both sides of the discourse barriers.

With the aplomb of a seasoned comedy veteran, Herbig first lets the entire audience take a deep drag from the peace pipe and tunes into what this “Manitou” also wants to be: simple fun, a commitment to silliness with various opportunities for laughter that one readily engages with as the running time increases.

The story stays true to the principle of Western parody, cheerfully cobbling together the genre's trappings. Abahachi and Ranger face the gallows. They are falsely accused of murder, arson, robbery of trains, casinos, banks, post offices, retirement homes, and a traveling circus, looting of church property, and chicken stealing. But, of course, the rope around their necks is severed by a bullet at the last second.

From then on, the friends are pursued not only by Sheriff Kane (Friedrich Mücke) and his Saxon-speaking Deputy Ratford (Rick Kavanian), but also by a newly formed gang whose leader (Jessica Schwarz) is working on behalf of the legendary oil prince. The object of their desire is the eponymous canoe, which is said to grant its occupants eternal life. And so they crisscross the Wild West to an obligatory cave labyrinth in which the magic boat is hidden.

Gender equality in gangland: The boss (Jessica Schwarz) has a team of gunmen ready for anything. Scene from the film "Manitou's Canoe."

Source: Constantin Film

Herbig and his collaborators Tramitz and Kavanian approach the film with a deep passion for the genre and its parody. The film also thrives on the amusing contrast between form and content. Vast Western landscapes in IMAX format, veritable shootouts, a chase on a moving train, and Ralf Wengenmayr's ironically pathetic soundtrack provide the opulent backdrop for a parade of gags that isn't afraid of misfires.

Herbig and Tramitz, who portray their characters as an elderly, quarrelsome married couple, display the fluffy comedic chemistry of a well-rehearsed team. But the law enforcement duo of Friedrich Mücke and Rick Kavanian also provides some comedy, as does the gang of the not-so-magnificent Seven, over whom Jessica Schwarz watches with the verve of a day-care teacher.

Winnetouch gets to crack the whip as a pink-faced reincarnation of Zorro, and Sky du Mont also makes a brief final cameo. Despite all the doom and gloom, Herbig has succeeded in crafting a sequel that continues the spirit of the cult film and lends its comedic silliness a certain timelessness. Fans will have a ball. Others will still shrug their shoulders today.

“Manitu’s Canoe”, directed by Michael “Bully” Herbig, with Michael “Bully” Herbig, Christian Tramitz, Jessica Schwarz, 88 minutes, FSK 6 (film release on August 14).