Mountain night

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Movie
Original title Mountain night
Country of production Germany
original language German
Publishing year 1914
Rod
Director Curt A. Stark
script Walter Turszinsky
production Oskar Messter
camera Carl Froelich
occupation

Bergnacht is a German silent film drama from 1914 with Henny Porten in the lead role. Directed by Curt A. Stark .

action

The story takes place at the time of the peasant revolt against the French usurpers in Tyrol in 1809 .

first act

Monika is the daughter of a mountain landlord and is expecting her groom Peter back in these troubled times. Both men have joined the anti- Napoleonic resistance and want to raid a French military patrol. A fierce battle ensues, in which one side and then the other believe that they are close to victory. Finally, thanks to their better knowledge of the localities, the Tyroleans succeed in killing a majority of the French before the rest of them seek their salvation in flight. Monika's Peter is also fighting, his direct opponent is the leader of the French troop, Capitaine Conte Castiglioni. Peter, in great danger of being killed by the latter, receives unexpected help when a volley of rifles kills the French. It was Monika who shot from the rocky mountain path. She had secretly run after her Tyroleans so as not to lose Peter. When Peter finally wants to put down the intruder, Monika rushes in and says that one should not attack the defenseless. She also begs her father to spare the count and can get him to come as a prisoner to the inn of the mountain innkeeper.

Second act

Gradually, the captured French recovered from his wounding, and between him and his rescuer Monika many tender bonds develop. Monika tries to live up to his charm, but when both her father and Peter are summoned by both commanders to a briefing in the distant Sandhof, Monika can no longer afford the advances of the Welschen. Just as she was cleaning the rifle with which she shot Castiglioni, the first, passionate kiss occurred. Monika leaves the cross on the chain to the Count, which she always wears around her neck so that he may remember her when they are long separated again. Before the worst between the two can come, Monika hears the creak of the front door and takes her count away. Peter and her father are back and discussing what was discussed in the Sandhof. Little did they suspect that the enemy is listening and Count Castiglioni is busily taking notes. Monika surprises him and immediately wants to denounce him as a spy on her father. But the French asks her to refrain from it in the name of her blossoming love and swears on the crucifix that he will come back. Then he runs away.

Third act

The prisoner of war's escape is only discovered the next morning. Monika denies having anything to do with the disappearance. But Peter has suspected for some time that something must be in the bush between his bride and the stranger. And so he checks the prison room and sees Monika's crucifix lying there. Her father now also asks Monika in an exacerbated tone, but she sticks to her version that she is innocent. While Peter doesn't believe a word she says, old Riedlechner waves it aside, as he has no doubts about his daughter's integrity. At this time Castiglioni was entrusted with the leadership of a French troop, which should avenge the fallen comrades. The village is surrounded, and Castiglioni uses a free moment to return to the crucifix that has been left behind to say goodbye to Monika. Monika is already there and falls around her Chéri's neck. This in turn is observed by Peter, who has secretly sneaked after her. Peter wants Monika's father, who had not believed him until now, to see this and brings him over. Old Riedlechner does not like to believe what he has seen and, beside himself with anger, rushes at the couple. He pulls Monika away from Castiglioni and pushes the French count into the torrent abyss. Monika, who now knows exactly where she belongs, jumps after her dead lover to the horror of the two remaining men.

Production notes

Bergnacht was shot at the end of 1913 in the Messter film studio in Berlin's Blücherstraße 32, was censored in April 1914 and had its world premiere on September 4, 1914. The film was three acts long. Occasionally the titles Die Bergnacht and Bergmacht are also mentioned.

Porten and Stark were a married couple at the time. The two Porten dramas Bergnacht and Das Tal des Traume were shot with an almost identical crew in direct succession.

criticism

“This is a mighty, gripping folk piece from the Tyrolean mountains and from the great heroic days of this people. It is interwoven with a romance of the heart and proves that the word enemy is alien to the heart when it beats loudly and beats for the fulfillment of a longing. Henny Porten ... plays a role in the "Mountain Night", which is one of the best performances by this film favorite. Your Monika is a powerful woman as if from one piece. (...) This great picture has a milieu that will never lose its impact. "

- Cinematographic review of August 2, 1914. p. 8

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