The Majorate

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Movie
Original title The Majorate
Country of production Germany
original language German
Publishing year 1944
length 87 minutes
Age rating FSK 14 (1944), 16 (after 1945)
Rod
Director Hans Deppe
script Walther von Hollander
Richard Riedel
production Richard Riedel (Manufacturing Group)
music Hans-Otto Borgmann
camera Reimar Kuntze
cut Wolfgang Wehrum
occupation

Der Majoratsherr is a 1943 German melodrama by Hans Deppe with Willy Birgel in the title role. Viktoria von Ballasko , Anneliese Uhlig and Harry Liedtke also play leading roles . The film is based on the novella Der Majoratsherr von Halleborg by the Swedish writer Alfred von Hedenstjerna from 1895.

action

Baron Bernhard von Halleborg believes he is a happy man, because soon he is planning to marry the much younger, attractive and elegant opera singer Julia Dahl. Everything is already firmly planned, the wedding guests have been ordered and the celebration is in preparation, when terrible news reaches the Majorate : his bride has died in a riding accident. A world is collapsing for the middle-aged aristocrat: he no longer wants to see anyone, no longer cares about his property and closes himself off from everyone else. He can no longer believe in love, all his striving was for a happy marriage with the beloved Julia. There is a great danger in this attitude, because according to the Majority Regulations, if Halleborg does not want to lose his possessions, he must be married before his 45th birthday. Even this circumstance does not seem to matter to the mentally broken man, but when the master of the majority learns that the future master of the estate, the lazy as well as useless and selfish nephew Oskar, would be his successor, Baron von Halleborg pricks up his ears .

The majorate is now finally aware of the responsibility he has for the estate and all the men and women who work there. Oskar and his wife Cilli are planning to turn the estate upside down. Many of the long-term employees would lose their jobs, as drastic savings measures were planned. Baron Halleborg could prevent this, but he rejects a marriage of convenience, which would be the ideal way out of this dilemma. At the same time, financially speaking, the neighboring squire von Linden was up to his neck. The majorate, who has ample means, suggests that he buy his estate. The impoverished landed aristocrat Halleborg indignantly shows his property. Linden's daughter Amelie asks Halleborg to come to her. She has severe lung disease and, according to the doctors, only has a few months to live. Amelie proposes to the neighbor that she marry her; all sides could benefit from this. Amelie does not know that Baron has secretly loved Halleborg for a long time. Although, as is well known, he does not believe in such arrangements, von Halleborg nevertheless accepts the proposal, because his previous stubbornness in this matter has so far led to nothing, and to leave the property to Oskar would break his heart.

Amelie and Bernhard get married and it is decided to have a marriage of convenience, but one that is fed by mutual respect and trust. In fact, the couple treat each other in a distant but polite manner, and the anemic Amelie turns out to be a lovable and friendly landlady. However, her health is steadily deteriorating, and the doctors consulted believe that Amelie will soon end. Amelie passed out on Halleborg's 45th birthday. The Majorate Lord notices that over the weeks and months he has not been indifferent to his wife and now, for his part, begins to fight for the life of his wife. He suggests a cure, and Amelie is actually recovering noticeably in the mountain sanatorium. She seems perfectly well when she returns to Halleborg Manor. Almost a little guilty, then Amelie's part of the deal was not to be a burden on her husband for long. Bernhard von Halleborg is actually a little surprised at her dazzling condition, but still the joy prevails. Amelie remains unsettled, however, because she does not believe that her husband will ever love her as much as he loved Julia. And that's why Amelie releases her husband, but he no longer wants to do without Amelie. His heart has enough space for a second great love in his life.

Production notes

The shooting of The Majoratsherr began on May 14, 1943 and ended in September of the same year. The film was shot in Pomerania, Mecklenburg and Ramsau near Berchtesgaden. The film premiered on May 26, 1944 in Schwerin and celebrated its premiere in three cinemas in Berlin on June 6, 1944.

The production cost was about 1,389,000 RM. The film received the state rating “artistically valuable”.

Producer Richard Riedel also took over the manufacturing and production management. Carl L. Kirmse and Otto Gülstorff designed the film structures, Carl Heinz Grohnwald and Charlotte Klaus were responsible for the costumes.

Reviews

The lexicon of the international film says: "A story that was dusty at the time it was made, implemented without life and tension."

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Ulrich J. Klaus: German sound films 13th year 1944/45. P. 79. (041.44), Berlin 2002
  2. ↑ The Majorate Lord. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed May 1, 2020 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used 

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