Few films from the post-war period were as controversial as Hansjürgen Pohland's "Cat and Mouse." The adaptation of the novella by Günter Grass came under scrutiny from both moral guardians and political figures. While some were outraged by a scene depicting masturbation, others were incensed because Pohland allegedly disparaged the "Iron Cross," a military decoration that featured a swastika during the Nazi era. The film also became a political issue due to the involvement of Willy Brandt's sons, Lars and Peter. In his essay, Enno Stahl traces the film's production and thoroughly examines the social context, the machinations of political circles, and the reception by the press and the public. It becomes evident that the disputes surrounding Pohland's "Cat and Mouse" are a paradigmatic case study.