The success of Disney’s The Love Bug appears to have inspired writer-director Rudolf Zehetgruber in the creation of a German competitor (fittingly, given the Beetle’s origin), and through the 1970s he directed five films starring Dudu, the extraordinary Beetle (or Käfer) and himself as the car’s owner/customizer/builder, with his wife (Kathrin Oginski) appearing in a major (but different) role each time as well. In first of the movies, whose original title was Ein Käfer geht aufs Ganze, Zehetgruber’s character (Ben, though in the other movies he will be called Jimmy Bondi) acquires the car and competes in a Tanzanian road rally in an effort to win money needed by Daktari Jo (Oginski) for her care center. Among the competition is a treacherous baron (watch for his personal hovercraft) and various others. There’s even a cameo of sorts for a car implied to be Herbie. Silly, chaotic fun.

  Mildly recommended. Otto judiciously thinks this movie is OK, but not great.

Movie 333 for 2021.