"Film Title: The Canoe of Manitu - A Entertaining Cinematic Venture"
After 24 years, the much-anticipated sequel to the hugely successful 2001 film, The Shoe of Manitu (Der Schuh des Manitu), is set to release in theaters on Thursday. Titled The Canoe of Manitu (German title: Das Kanu des Manitu), this German Western parody film promises a comedic extravaganza, directed and co-written by Michael Bully Herbig.
Plot
The film revolves around the characters Abahachi (Michael Bully Herbig) and Ranger (Christian Tramitz), who find themselves accused of murder and face execution by hanging. However, this is part of a complex scheme orchestrated by a female antagonist called Boss (Jessica Schwarz) and her gang of seven, all aiming to seize the legendary "canoe of the Manitu." The plot is filled with chaotic incidents, such as an incident involving the severed leg of a ballet dancer, and a climax that includes actual Apaches speaking their language.
Meanwhile, Dimitri (Rick Kavanian), the owner of a Greek restaurant, is trying to save his friends from execution. He expands his tavern in the sequel, with his multilingual employee, Mary (Jasmin Schwier), by his side.
Characters
- Abahachi (Michael Bully Herbig): One of the main protagonists accused of murder.
- Ranger (Christian Tramitz): Abahachi's companion and also accused.
- Dimitri (Rick Kavanian): A restaurant owner trying to save his friends.
- Mary (Jasmin Schwier): Dimitri’s multilingual employee.
- Boss (Jessica Schwarz): The female antagonist leading a gang to capture the canoe.
- Sheriff (Friedrich Mücke): One-eyed sheriff pursuing the protagonists.
- Deputy (Rick Kavanian): The sheriff’s lovesick assistant.
The film also features a host of new cast members, including Tutty Tran, Daniel Zillmann, Tobias van Dieken, Pit Bukowski, Akeem van Flodrop, Merlin Sandmeyer, and Sky du Mont, who plays the role of the villain Santa Maria.
Guest Appearances
The film includes surprise appearances and nods to various films, although specific guest appearances are not explicitly detailed in the available information.
Reception and Additional Notes
The Canoe of Manitu received a standing ovation at its premiere but has been noted to evoke "a quiet smile" rather than loud laughter, with some critics pointing to a more subdued, somewhat pedagogical comedy style. The original score was composed by Ralf Wengenmayr, who also scored the original movie, with a soundtrack released in August 2025.
The film uses some historically dubious dialects for humor, while also incorporating authentic indigenous language elements, showing a mix of comedic and cultural intentions. Sky du Mont announced that The Canoe of Manitu would be his last film shoot.
In addition to the main plot, the film includes dance numbers, songs by Stefan Raab and Michael Bully Herbig, and several film quotes, making it a must-watch for fans of the original film. American actor Alan Tafoya, a Jicarilla Apache, is specially flown in from New Mexico for the film, bringing the Apache world closer to the audience. His character provides an emotional moment at the end of the film and promotes understanding between peoples.
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- The much-expected sequel, The Canoe of Manitu, falls under the category of movies-and-tv, offering entertainment to fans of the original The Shoe of Manitu.
- In addition to comedy, The Canoe of Manitu incorporates dance numbers, songs, and film quotes, making it an entertaining blend of various forms of entertainment.
