The living dead
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | The living dead |
| Country of production | Germany |
| original language | German |
| Publishing year | 1919 |
| length | 76 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Rudolf Biebrach |
| script | Robert Wiene |
| production | Oskar Messter |
| music | Giuseppe Becce |
| camera | Willibald Gaebel |
| occupation | |
| |
The living dead is a German silent film drama from 1919 by Rudolf Biebrach with Henny Porten in the title role.
action
Eva is married to Professor von Redlich, who is a lot older, and has a daughter with him who she loves very much. However, she does not feel fulfilled in marriage. One day she meets an old friend from before, the nobleman von der Tann. He still has an eye on Eva and wants to win her back. Finally she gives in to his wooing and they both spend a night of love. She tells her husband that she will take the train to see her sister. But she doesn't take the night train, but her maid Brigitte, while Eva plans to catch up with the early train the following morning. When the train jumps off the tracks in a terrible accident and there are many dead, Eva is believed to be among the victims.
Eva is in doubt about what to do now. If she is to admit the lie, then she finds herself in need of explanation. Or she holds on to her statement, then she is denied a return to her old life. Frau von Redlich chooses to be dishonest and does not return to her family. Instead, she sees this tricky situation as a chance for new happiness, and so she decides to become an actress. The fame at the vaudeville theater is only a poor substitute for not being allowed to see her child again in view of her fatal decision. In moments of deep inner loneliness, Eva begins to sniff cocaine . Von der Tann offers her more of the drugs, should she give him another night of love. Only now does Eva realize how deep she has sunk and takes her own life with an overdose.
Production notes
The Living Dead was made in mid-1919, was censored in August of the same year and was premiered on August 29, 1919 in Berlin's Mozart Hall. The film had five acts, spread over a length of 1564 meters. A youth ban has been issued. The living dead was seen in Austria since November 7, 1919.
The film constructions come from Jack Winter and Kurt Dürnhöfer .
Reviews
“The beginning is a bit conventional like the usual social drama - but then in a good increase towards the actual sensations of the piece. First a railway accident with a large number of extras and strong directorial skills, then very effective living pictures, for Henny Porten the best opportunity to show her grace, her beauty of calm in contrast to movement. Finally, the immersion in cocaine dreams, in which the suffering of the 'living dead' sinks and disappears. […] What gives this film special charm is the exemplary play by Henny Porten. Face and posture always in the context of the action, never garish, always thought out and balanced and yet, again, by no means artificial. [...] Your partners Paul Bildt and Carl Ebert also gave pleasant and elegant performances. "
Paimann's film lists summed up: “The material, the game, the photos and especially the scenery with the splendid living pictures were excellent. (A hit of the first rank) "
Web links
- The living dead in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The living dead at filmportal.de
- The living dead at The German Early Cinema Database
Individual evidence
- ↑ Neue Kino-Rundschau of September 27, 1919. P. 23 f.
- ↑ The living dead ( Memento of the original from April 9, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. In: Paimann's film lists
