back

Die andere Seite

The Other Side
Retrospective 2018
Source: Deutsche Kinemathek, © morisel Verlag
Spring 1918 in a British officer’s dugout on the western front. Young, inexperienced lieutenant Raleigh discovers that his sister’s fiancé, Captain Stanhope, is now his company commander. Although the horrors of war have turned the latter into a heavy drinker, he is still a conscientious soldier. He is ready to hold the lines before the expected German offensive until the bitter end, sacrificing himself and his men as necessary. But it is only with reluctance that he follows orders to send Raleigh and his companions on a reconnaissance mission that will almost certainly end in death ... There are virtually no battle scenes in this film version of the English play; it is rather more an “intimate drama in the trenches”. Instead it presents a searing and realistic portrayal of the attritional effects of trench warfare, focusing on people who are “trying to do their duty amidst agony and confusion” (opening title). Although Nazi propaganda leader Joseph Goebbels praised it in 1931, saying it was “a good film. Without sentimentality. War as an inner experience”, it was banned in 1933 for its “subversive influence on the people’s willingness to defend themselves”.
by Heinz Paul
with Conrad Veidt, Theodor Loos, Friedrich Ettel, Viktor de Kowa, Wolfgang Liebeneiner, Paul Otto, Jack Mylong-Münz, Reinhold Bernt, Willy Trenk-Trebitsch Germany 1931 German 100’ Black/White Rating R12

With

  • Conrad Veidt
  • Theodor Loos
  • Friedrich Ettel
  • Viktor de Kowa
  • Wolfgang Liebeneiner
  • Paul Otto
  • Jack Mylong-Münz
  • Reinhold Bernt
  • Willy Trenk-Trebitsch

Crew

Director Heinz Paul
Screenplay Hans Reisiger based on the novel and play “Journey’s End“ 1928) von/by R. C. Sherriff
Cinematography Viktor Gluck
Camera Assistant Wolfgang Hofmann
Editing Max Brenner
Music Ernst-Erich Buder
Sound Karl Brodmerkel, Karl-Erich Kroschke
Set Construction Robert A. Dietrich
Costumes Willi Ernst
Make-Up Willy Wollschläger
Producer Joseph Candolini

Produced by

Cando-Film GmbH

Additional information

Film Print: Deutsche Kinemathek, Berlin