Discounted collection of eight Heinrich George DVDs with subtitles:
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BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ (1931) *with switchable English subtitles*
The story concerns a small-time criminal, Franz Biberkopf, fresh from prison, who is drawn into the underworld. When his criminal mentor murders the prostitute whom Biberkopf has been relying on as an anchor, he realizes that he will be unable to extricate himself from the underworld into which he has sunk.
Of historical interest, Maria Bard, who plays Cilly in this film, committed suicide in 1944, apparently for political reasons.
DVD - R IS IN GERMAN WITH SWITCHABLE ENGLISH SUBTITLES. EXCELLENT DIGITAL QUALITY. APPROX. 83 MINS.
DAS MADCHEN JOHANNA (1935) *with switchable English subtitles*
While not the most accurate portrayal of historical events, as we puport to know them, this film nevertheless shows a historical viewpoint, which may not be too far from the truth. Neither the French, nor the British, come out looking too good in this film ... and why should they? Nazi Germany had no interest in wooing either of their future enemies. Yet, in spite of fascist Germany's abhorrence with all religions, which placed God above man, this film resembles the Passion of Christ more closely than it does historical events and therein lays the discomfort: the betrayal of the servant of God; the mocking of the same; even the request of the British soldier, who asks her to remember him in Paradise, just like the criminal at Jesus' side who asked the same at the cruxificion. King Charles of France, so often portrayed as weak-minded, indecisive and incompetent is shown here as weak and apparently maleable by his nobles; but eventually, the film shows him to be rational, cold-blooded, manipulative, calculating and politically savvy. In the end, he, too, will abandon the "tool" which saved France and brought him to power.
The film is less an anti-British and anti-French propaganda piece -- for it happened 500 years past and the Nazis were hardly the ones to point the moral finger at anyone without turning red-faced -- than it is a commentary on how untrustworthy all people are and how those who do good are ususally rewarded so poorly. In this, the film is significantly more successful than it ever could be in showing the corruption of two peoples only doing what the Nazis themselves would do over and over again half a millenium later.
DVD-R IS IN GERMAN WITH OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES, 77 minutes long.
DER BIBERPELZ (1937) * with switchable English subtitles *
In a district of a small, German principality, things are going haywire. And this, even though Baron von Wehrhahn, who is loyal to the prince, does everything possible to make "his Highness" popular. The only problem is, he's always using his zeal on the wrong crowd. He always seems to see free-thinkers or revolutionaries in the harmless of citizens; but the really bad ones get to go on their way unmolested! For example, the old woman Wolff: she steals everything that isn't nailed down, while her husband pursues unhampered poaching.
In einem Amtsbezirk eines kleinen deutschen Fürstentums geht es drunter und drüber. Und das, obwohl der fürstentreue Baron von Wehrhahn peinlich darauf bedacht ist, sich bei "seiner Durchlaucht" beliebt zu machen. Nur setzt er seinen Eifer stets bei den falschen Leuten ein. In harmlosen Bürgern etwa sieht er Freidenker oder gar Revolutionäre, während die wirklich bösen Buben unbehelligt ihrer Wege gehen. Zum Beispiel die alte Mutter Wolff: Die stiehlt, was nicht niet- und nagelfest ist, während ihr Mann unbehindert der Wilderei nachgeht.
DVD-R IS IN GERMAN WITH SWITCHABLE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
LENGTH OF FEATURE FILM: 90 mins
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DER POSTMEISTER (1940) *with switchable English subtitles*
When two russian captains of cavalry come to a German post station, one of them recalls what happened a long time ago. Ten years ago a comrade of theirs made a rest stop at the post station and fell in love with the station master's daughter. He promised everything to her and finally convinced her to come with him to St. Petersburg. When both arrived there, she had to realize that her captain never had the intention to marry her.
DVD-R IS IN GERMAN WITH OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES. APPROX. 88 MINS. EXCELLENT DIGITAL QUALITY.
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DREYFUS (1930) *with switchable English subtitles*
This 1930 version of the Dreyfus Affair, concerning the trial of a Jewish officer in France accused of treason, displays a number of talented artists, who were later to become stars in Nazi Germany. This should come as no surprise, however, since some of these actors had very different political attitudes prior to the takeover in 1933 (for example: Heinrich George, who, at the time of this filming, was very much a dedicated Communist). Interesting and sympathetic portrayal of the events.
APPROX. 88 MINS. VERY GOOD VHS QUALITY.
IN GERMAN WITH OPTIONAL ENGLISH SUBTITLES
HEIMAT (1938) * with switchable English subs *
Also known by some as Magda, the woman of the same name, a daughter of a Colonel von Schwartze, returns from America back to her homeland as a famous opera singer, after having disappeared into the blue for a long time. She is to perform a leading soloist role in the St. Matthew Passion at the royal residence at Ilmingen. After so many years, she once again sees her father, whom she abandoned so many years before after a fight. The two reconcile. But that is not the end of Magda's problems back home.
Though a product of NS-Germany, Zarah Leander and Heinrich George shine in this first-class production, which shows not the slightest hint of any propaganda influences of their boss, Joseph Goebbels. For Zarah Leander fans, this film, now with subtitles, is not to be missed.
DVD-R IS IN GERMAN WITH SWITCHABLE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
94 minutes long. Excellent, digital quality.
EIN VOLKSFEIND (1937) * with switchable and hard-encoded English subtitles *
Vor dem Weltkrieg betreibt Dr. med. Hans Stockmann in einer kleinen Stadt seine Praxis. Sein ehrgeiziger Bruder ist Bürgermeister von Trimburg, das sich zu einem ansehnlichen Kurort entwickelt hat. Da wird Stockmann zum Badearzt berufen. Er hält die sanitären Anlagen für untragbar und besteht auf einer Sanierung. Sein ehrgeiziger Bruder und alle, die bisher gut verdient haben, sind natürlich dagegen. Von allen Seiten wird der Badearzt angefeindet, und der Streit eskaliert.
Before the First World War, Dr. Hans Stockmann had a practice in a small town. His powerhungry brother is the mayor of Bad Trimburg, which has developed into a respectable resort. Dr. Stockmann is called in to become the town’s chief physician. He considers the sanitary conditions to be intolerable and insists on a clean-up. His ambitious brother and all those who, till now, have profited well from the corner cutting, are, of course, against that for financial reasons. The doctor is condemned from all sides and the conflict escalates.
The poor quality of the film and its hard-encoded English subtitles necessitated an improved and more easily-read switchable subtitle being added on by us.
THERE IS A NEWSREEL ALONG WITH THE FILM, JUST AS GERMAN AUDIENCES MIGHT HAVE SEEN WHEN THE MOVIE WAS FIRST SHOWN (except this newsreel may not be contemporary to when the film was released).
DVD-R IS IN GERMAN WITH SWITCHABLE AND HARD-ENCODED ENGLISH SUBTITLES
SCHLEPPZUG M 17 (1933) *with switchable English subtitles*
Ein konservatives Sittendrama aus dem Hafenmilieu: Der Schiffer Henner Classen lebt und arbeitet mit seiner Familie auf einem Schleppkahn. Bei einem Landgang rettet Classens Frau Marie den jungen Jakob vor dessen betrunkenem Vater. Die Classens nehmen Jakob mit auf die Fahrt, und in der Bordgemeinschaft findet der Heranwachsende familiäre Geborgenheit. Doch als Henner die junge Kriminelle Gescha aus dem Hafenbecken rettet und auf das Schiff bringt, gerät das Idyll in Gefahr.
A conservative moral play from the lives of harbor families: the sailor Henner Classen lives and works with his family on a barge. One day, Classen's wife Maria saves young Jacob from his drunk father. The Classens take Jacob along on the barge and soon, the young man becomes part of the family. But when Henner rescues the young criminal Gescha from the basin of the harbor and brings him on board, the idyll situation on the barge is endangered.
DVD-R IS IN GERMAN WITH switchable ENGLISH SUBTITLES. APPROX. 70 MINS. COMBINED TOTAL. VERY WELL-USED, VHS FILM QUALITY OVERALL WITH A DISTINCT LACK OF SHARPNESS, BUT WATCHABLE.
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Please see each movie listing for details and film samples.
TOTAL DURATION: 676 MINUTES (over 11 hours)Please see .f
IF ORDERED IN PLASTIC CASES, THE ENTIRE COLLECTION COMES IN ONE CASE, WHICH HOLDS MULTIPLE DVDs
