Ein echter Wiener geht nicht unter

Ein echter Wiener geht nicht unter is a classic Austrian television series. It was produced by Österreichischer Rundfunk, Austrian Television, and ran for 24 episodes from 1975 to 1979. The script writer was Ernst Hinterberger; the series was based on his 1966 novel Das Salz der Erde. The producer was Hans Preiner, who initiated the project in his series Impulse, which centered on development of new program formats and training of new, young directors. Ein echter Wiener geht nicht unter starred popular Austrian actor Karl Merkatz as the main character, Edmund "Mundl" Sackbauer. Mundl lives in a typical Vienna Gemeindebau at Hasengasse, in Vienna's 10th municipal district. The series used Viennese dialect and became successful after an initial campaign against it by the Krone newspaper as too "common."

Directed by Ernst Hinterberger, Ein echter Wiener geht nicht unter leans on a strong ensemble — Karl Merkatz, Ingrid Burkhard, Erika Deutinger — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1975.