Ehe im Schatten
Encyclopedia
Ehe im Schatten is a East German film
melodrama
, directed by Kurt Maetzig
. It was released in 1947 by DEFA. The film was described as an "attempt to confront the German people about the morals of the past", being the first film to to confront the people about the Persecution of the Jews and the atrocities conducted during the World War II
.
by his former friend Herbert Blohm, now a Nazi official at the Reichskulturministerium (culture ministry), to save himself by divorcing his wife. Knowing that his wife will die in a concentration camp, Hans Wieland returns home and they drink poison
in coffee whilst reciting the closing scene of Friedrich Schiller
's tragic play Kabale und Liebe together. The film ends with a dedication to the real-life actor Joachim Gottschalk
who committed suicide
with his Jewish wife Meta Gottschalk and their nine-year old son.
and his family in 1941. However, Maetzig said of the film, "almost everything in the film is based on what I myself, or my family and friends, have experienced." Indeed the character of Kurt Bernstein, portrayed by Alfred Balthoff is strongly based on Maetzig. Maetzig's mother had committed suicide to avoid being caught by the Gestapo
. It was the first feature film to be directed by Kurt Maetzig
.
Maetzig and cinematographer Friedl Behn-Grund received the National Prize of East Germany
Second Class for their work. The director was also awarded the first ever Bambi Prize
, at 1948.
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
melodrama
Melodrama
The term melodrama refers to a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. It may also refer to the genre which includes such works, or to language, behavior, or events which resemble them...
, directed by Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig is an East German film director who had a significant effect on the film industry in the GDR. He is one of the most respected filmmakers of East Germany. He currently lives in Wildkuhl, Mecklenburg, and has three children....
. It was released in 1947 by DEFA. The film was described as an "attempt to confront the German people about the morals of the past", being the first film to to confront the people about the Persecution of the Jews and the atrocities conducted during the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Plot
Actor Hans Wieland refuses to divorce his actress Jewish wife, Elisabeth, even as extreme pressure is applied on him by the Nazi authorities. He even takes her to a premiere of one of his films where she is unwittingly introduced to a high Nazi Party official. Upon later discovering that the charming woman at the premiere was in fact Jewish, he orders her arrest. Hans Wieland is given an ultimatumUltimatum
An ultimatum is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests...
by his former friend Herbert Blohm, now a Nazi official at the Reichskulturministerium (culture ministry), to save himself by divorcing his wife. Knowing that his wife will die in a concentration camp, Hans Wieland returns home and they drink poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
in coffee whilst reciting the closing scene of Friedrich Schiller
Friedrich Schiller
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life , Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe...
's tragic play Kabale und Liebe together. The film ends with a dedication to the real-life actor Joachim Gottschalk
Joachim Gottschalk
Joachim Gottschalk was a European movie star during the 1930s, a romantic lead in the style of Leslie Howard...
who committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
with his Jewish wife Meta Gottschalk and their nine-year old son.
Cast
- Paul Klinger: Hans Wieland
- Ilse SteppatIlse SteppatIlse Paula Steppat was a German actress. Her husband was noted actor and director Max Nosseck....
: Elisabeth - Alfred Balthoff: Kurt Bernstein
- Claus HolmClaus HolmClaus Holm was a German film actor. He appeared in 50 films between 1943 and 1979.He was born in Bochum, Germany and died in Berlin, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Winter in the Woods...
: Dr. Herbert Blohm - Hans Leibelt: Fehrenbach
- Karl HellmerKarl HellmerKarl Hellmer was an Austrian film actor. He appeared in 92 films between 1932 and 1969.He was born in Vienna, Austria and died in Berlin, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Ungeküsst soll man nicht schlafen gehn...
: Gallenkamp - Hilde von StolzHilde von StolzHilde von Stolz was an Austrian-German actress.von Stolz attended the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna and made her debut at the local Chamber of games...
: Greta Koch - Walter Werner: Mr. Hofbauer
- Karl Hannemann: Gestapo agent
- Elly Burgmer: aunt Olga
- Lothar Firmans: state secretary
Production
The screenplay was based on the life and suicide of actor Joachim GottschalkJoachim Gottschalk
Joachim Gottschalk was a European movie star during the 1930s, a romantic lead in the style of Leslie Howard...
and his family in 1941. However, Maetzig said of the film, "almost everything in the film is based on what I myself, or my family and friends, have experienced." Indeed the character of Kurt Bernstein, portrayed by Alfred Balthoff is strongly based on Maetzig. Maetzig's mother had committed suicide to avoid being caught by the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
. It was the first feature film to be directed by Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig
Kurt Maetzig is an East German film director who had a significant effect on the film industry in the GDR. He is one of the most respected filmmakers of East Germany. He currently lives in Wildkuhl, Mecklenburg, and has three children....
.
Reception
Ehe im Schatten was the only film to be released simultaneously in all the sectors of occupied Berlin, at 3 October 1947. In total, it was viewed by 12 million people, becoming the most successful film produced in the first post-war years and is widely considered one of the best German films of this period.Maetzig and cinematographer Friedl Behn-Grund received the National Prize of East Germany
National Prize of East Germany
The National Prize of the German Democratic Republic was an award of the German Democratic Republic given out in three different classes for scientific, artistic, and other meritorious achievement...
Second Class for their work. The director was also awarded the first ever Bambi Prize
Bambi (prize)
The Bambi - Deutschlands Wichtigster Medienpreis, often simply called Bambi Awards and stylized as BAMBI, are presented annually by Hubert Burda Media to recognize excellence in international media and television "with vision and creativity who affected and inspired the German public that year",...
, at 1948.