After “Eifersucht” (1925), a film recently reviewed mercilessly by this German Count, Herr Karl Grune directed “Die Brüder Schellenberg”, his first film to be produced by the Germany’s greatest film company, “UFA”. It’s a film version of Herr Kellermmann’s eponymous novel, was an important big-budget production and was one of the most successful movies of that silent year.
“Die Brüder Schellenberg” depicts the story of two brothers, Michael and Wenzel, both portrayed by Herr Conrad Veidt, who work at the Raucheisen Steel and Gas company. Michael is a secretary and the other is a head of the central plant. When an explosion in the factory takes the lives of 100 people, both brothers will begin different lives. Michael creates a center for needy people and Wenzel becomes a successful stock exchange speculator.
Most of the film is focused on the ambitious Wenzel, obviously because evil people are more interesting than the dull ones. In this way we can see in the film Wenzel’s life full of luxury and parties instead of Michael’s thrilling works for the poor people.
The film is an urban drama and that’s one of the most interesting aspects of the oeuvre; the film shows those complicated and hazardous days in Germany dealing with huge economic crises and millions of people unemployed. So, the story of the Schellenberg brothers is a kind of reflection of the paradox of the early 20’s in Germany and the different ways to subsist and face up to those times. Wenzel is an unscrupulous man and Michael is idealistic.
In parallel to this, there is a love triangle in the film that reflects the same tale from a feminine perspective. It involves Wenzel (obviously Michael has no time for such trifle love matters… ), Dame Esther Raucheisen (Lil Dagover), daughter of Wenzel’s former boss, a capricious woman who has everything in life, and Dame Jenny Florian (Liane Haid), an ordinary girl who sees in Wenzel’s love, her passport to a new and safe life.
The film is resolves its technical aspects especially when both brothers appear at the same time on the screen. Additionally the scenery and that decor so important in a UFA film production are present. It’s typical of that German company that always had a particular and artistic concern to show German social reality, in a subtle or else over-realistic way.
“Die Brüder Schellenberg” depicts the story of two brothers, Michael and Wenzel, both portrayed by Herr Conrad Veidt, who work at the Raucheisen Steel and Gas company. Michael is a secretary and the other is a head of the central plant. When an explosion in the factory takes the lives of 100 people, both brothers will begin different lives. Michael creates a center for needy people and Wenzel becomes a successful stock exchange speculator.
Most of the film is focused on the ambitious Wenzel, obviously because evil people are more interesting than the dull ones. In this way we can see in the film Wenzel’s life full of luxury and parties instead of Michael’s thrilling works for the poor people.
The film is an urban drama and that’s one of the most interesting aspects of the oeuvre; the film shows those complicated and hazardous days in Germany dealing with huge economic crises and millions of people unemployed. So, the story of the Schellenberg brothers is a kind of reflection of the paradox of the early 20’s in Germany and the different ways to subsist and face up to those times. Wenzel is an unscrupulous man and Michael is idealistic.
In parallel to this, there is a love triangle in the film that reflects the same tale from a feminine perspective. It involves Wenzel (obviously Michael has no time for such trifle love matters… ), Dame Esther Raucheisen (Lil Dagover), daughter of Wenzel’s former boss, a capricious woman who has everything in life, and Dame Jenny Florian (Liane Haid), an ordinary girl who sees in Wenzel’s love, her passport to a new and safe life.
The film is resolves its technical aspects especially when both brothers appear at the same time on the screen. Additionally the scenery and that decor so important in a UFA film production are present. It’s typical of that German company that always had a particular and artistic concern to show German social reality, in a subtle or else over-realistic way.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count has an appointment at half-passed Veidt.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
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Tras “Eifersucht” (1925), filme recientemente comentado sin compasión por este Conde germánico, Herr Kart Grune realizó “Die Brüder Schellenberg”, su primer filme producido por la más grande compañía cinematográfica alemana, esto es, la “UFA” y basado en la novela homónima de Herr Kellermmann, una importante producción cinematográfica que supuso uno de los éxitos comerciales de aquel año silente.
“Die Brüder Schellenberg” refleja la historia de dos hermanos, Michael y Wenzel, ambos interpretados por Herr Conrad Veidt y que trabajan en la compañía de gas y acero Raucheisen, uno como secretario y el otro como jefe de la planta central; cuando una explosión en la fábrica se cobra la vida de más de 100 personas, ambos hermanos emprenderán nuevas y diferentes vidas: Michael creará un centro para la gente necesitada y Wenzel comenzará una exitosa carrera como especulador bursátil.
La mayor parte del filme está centrado en las peripecias del ambicioso Wenzel y ello es debido, obviamente.., a que la gente pérfida es siempre más interesante que la ordinaria, gracias a ello podemos ver la vida de fiestas y lujo de Wenzel en vez de los excitantes trabajos de Michael para los necesitados.
El filme es un drama urbano y este es uno de los aspectos más destacables de la obra; el filme muestra esos complicados y peligrosos años en Germania, soportando el país una enorme crisis económica, además de millones de desempleados, por esto mismo, la historia de los hermanos Schellenberg es una especie de reflexión paradójica de los convulsos años 20 en Germania o cómo la gente se las ingeniaba para subsistir o hacer frente a tan penosa época, en éste caso Wenzel como un hombre sin escrúpulos y a Michael como un perfecto idealista.
Paralelamente a la historia, se desarrolla un triángulo amoroso que refleja el mismo problema pero desde una perspectiva femenina, en el cual se ven envueltos Wenzel ( obviamente Michael no tiene tiempo para cuestiones amorosas ), Dame Esther Raucheisen ( Lil Dagover ), hija del antiguo jefe de Wenzel, una mujer caprichosa que lo tiene todo en la vida y Dame Florian ( Liane Haid ), una chica ordinaria que ve en el amor de Wenzel su oportunidad para una nueva y segura vida.
El filme está muy logrado es aspectos técnicos como cuando ambos hermanos aparecen al mismo tiempo en la pantalla, además de los grandes escenarios y fastuosos decorados que se le presuponen a una importante producción de la UFA, una compañía germánica ésta nunca tuvo problemas en reflejar la realidad social de su época, sutilmente o de forma realista.
Y ahora si me lo permiten les tengo que dejar momentáneamente, pues este Conde germánico tiene cita con uno de los hermanos Veidt.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
