Heidi spoilers explained

What happens in Heidi?

The film opens with Heidi (Anuk Steffen) being brought by her aunt Dete to the remote Swiss village of Dörfli. Dete leaves Heidi with her grandfather (Bruno Ganz), a gruff and reclusive old man who lives in a hut on the mountain. The grandfather initially resists caring for Heidi, but she wins him over with her cheerful nature. Heidi quickly befriends Peter (Quirin Agrippi), a young goatherd, and spends her days exploring the alpine meadows. She also visits Peter's blind grandmother, who lives in a small cottage and longs for stories and songs.

One day, Dete returns and takes Heidi to Frankfurt to be a companion for Clara Sesemann (Isabelle Ottmann), a wealthy girl in a wheelchair. Heidi is miserable in the strict household run by Fräulein Rottenmeier (Katharina Schüttler). She struggles with the formal lessons and the confined city life. Heidi befriends Clara, who is lonely and neglected by her busy father. Heidi teaches Clara about the mountains and tells her stories. Heidi also meets Clara's grandmother (Hannelore Elsner), who is kind and encourages Heidi to learn to read.

Heidi becomes increasingly homesick. She begins sleepwalking and is found at the front door, trying to return to the mountains. The doctor advises Clara's father that Heidi must be sent back for her health. Heidi returns to the Alps, bringing a gift of white rolls for Peter's grandmother. She is joyfully reunited with her grandfather and Peter. Clara's father later brings Clara to visit the mountains. Clara is initially weak, but the fresh air and Heidi's playful spirit invigorate her. Peter, jealous of the attention Heidi gives Clara, pushes Clara's wheelchair down the mountain, but it is recovered. The grandfather and Peter's father repair it.

One day, Clara is left alone with Heidi and Peter. Inspired by the beauty around her and encouraged by Heidi, Clara stands up and takes her first steps. The grandfather sees her walking and is overjoyed. Clara's father arrives and witnesses his daughter walking. He thanks the grandfather and Heidi. The film ends with Heidi, Clara, and Peter playing in the meadow, the grandfather watching proudly, and the blind grandmother receiving the white rolls. Heidi has found her home.

Quick, non-spoiler context

Heidi, is an eight-year-old Swiss orphan who is given by her aunt to her mountain-dwelling grandfather. She is then stolen back by her aunt from her grandfather to live in the wealthy Sesemann household in Frankfurt, Germany as a companion to Klara, a sheltered, disabled girl in a wheelchair. Heidi is unhappy but makes the best of the situation, always longing for her grandfather.