The infinite way
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | The infinite way |
| Country of production | German Empire |
| original language | German |
| Publishing year | 1943 |
| length | 96 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 6 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Hans Schweikart |
| script |
Walter von Molo Ernst von Salomon |
| production | Gerhard Staab (production group) |
| music | Oskar Wagner |
| camera | Franz Koch |
| cut | Ludolf Grisebach |
| occupation | |
| |
The Infinite Path is a Reich German film biography from 1943 by Hans Schweikart about the German economist Friedrich List , played by Eugen Klöpfer . The story is based on the novel "A German Without Germany" (1931) by Walter von Molo , who also contributed to the script.
action
Germany in the 19th century, at the time of small states. The country is like a patchwork quilt, numerous kingdoms and principalities rule over Central Europe and divide Germany into around three dozen federal states. Sheer egoism, reactionary bigotry and backwoods provinciality in action and thought prevent the unity of the nation, which, the film would have us believe, is longed for by the people. Outward insignia of this fragmentation are the vast numbers of barriers that one has to pass when passing through Germany. In the Württemberg social economist and great liberal Friedrich List, a passionate fighter for change has positioned himself against the Duodec princes. He advocates the construction of the railway and the customs union and raises his voice against the yesterday, who only want to secure their benefices and power. German unity is Friedrich List's overarching national goal. Above all, the all-powerful Viennese statesman Klemens Prince Metternich is his greatest adversary.
When List roused himself eloquently in front of the Württemberg state parliament in order to strive for his goals, his opponents interpret this as "high treason" and the economist was taken to the Hohenasperg state prison . But List is not intimidated and continues to work on his ideas behind bars. Since the state power increasingly sees him as a threat to the old order, he is offered the opportunity to gain freedom if he should give up German citizenship and emigrate abroad. List accepts the offer and takes the ship to North America. There, in the United States, he plans to realize his dream of a nationwide rail network. As in America, the exile believes, unity will one day be achieved in Germany too, if the railroad connects all parts of the country with one another. Friedrich List finds an ally in General Andrew Jackson, whom he helps in his fight for the US presidency. But as great as his successes here abroad are, the tireless fighter for German unity will one day be drawn back to his old homeland.
As a US consul, he was able to set foot on German soil again, and he immediately began using the German railroad. First of all, List wants to establish a route connection between Dresden and Leipzig. And again Prince Metternich begins to torpedo his work with intrigues. His policy of pinpricks is showing more and more effect: List is gradually running out of money, and in the end he cannot even pay for his daughter Mila's planned marriage to the Prussian lieutenant von Runge. The railway connection is being completed, but the tireless fighter for modernity is not thanked. Scattered lies and slander increasingly spoil the life of the disaffected cunning. List feels compelled to go to Canossa and, in the presence of his daughter Mila Metternich, to ask to regain German citizenship. The prince, who believes his victory is certain, agrees, but only on condition that List henceforth stops working on his progressive plans. Angry, Friedrich and Mila List leave the audience room.
The great reformer is exhausted, attacks of fever indicate that he probably doesn't have much longer to live. Meanwhile, there are more and more patriotically minded cunning supporters, led by Lieutenant von Runge, who insist on the realization of his unity efforts. Barriers are smashed and the customs union follows. The youth have taken their own future into their own hands. However, Friedrich List no longer lived through the failed bourgeois revolution of 1848/49.
Production notes
Filming began on August 25, 1942 and ended at the beginning of December that same year. The premiere took place on August 24, 1943 in Stuttgart in the presence of "leading men from the party, state and armed forces", the Berlin premiere took place three days later.
Production group leader Gerhard Staab also worked as production manager. Hans Sohnle designed the film structures, Bert Hoppmann the costumes. Dr. Rolf Badenhausen was an artistic advisor.
The 73-year-old British native Philipp Manning played his last film role here.
The production costs were around 1,778,000 RM, so The Infinite Way was an above-average expensive film. In just eight months of play, up to April 1944, RM 2,172,000 had already been earned; so this thematically very unusual film was considered a great box office success.
Awards
The Nazi state honored the production with the ratings "State-politically and artistically particularly valuable", "Educational film" and "Youth value".
Reviews
The German film 1938–1945 said about the film: “It was a song of praise for the willingness to make sacrifices, but at the same time it was also an 'educational étude' from other areas of political education." ... fit exactly into the Nazi landscape: With his idea of the Reich, the validity on a large scale and the problem of Germanness in America. "
The film service judged: “The instructive biography of the Württemberg economist Friedrich List (1789–1846), who after his return from the USA fought for the railway construction and the customs union since 1830. The film joins him with a Prussian officer as his future son-in-law and advocate of his idea. "
Individual evidence
- ^ Boguslaw Drewniak: The German Film 1938–1945 . A complete overview. Düsseldorf 1987, p. 509
- ^ Ulrich J. Klaus: German sound films, 12th year 1944/45. P. 230 f. (069.44), Berlin 2001
- ^ Boguslaw Drewniak: The German Film 1938–1945 . A complete overview. Düsseldorf 1987, p. 205
- ↑ ibid., P. 549
- ↑ The Infinite Way. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed December 26, 2019 .
See also
Web links
- The infinite way in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The endless path at filmportal.de