Alraune (1930 film)

Alraune
Directed by	Richard Oswald
Written by	Hanns Heinz Ewers (novel) Charlie Roellinghoff Richard Weisbach
Produced by	Erich Pommer
Starring	Brigitte Helm Albert Bassermann
Cinematography	Günther Krampf
Music by	Bronislau Kaper
Distributed by	UFA UFA Film Company (US)
Release dates	2 March 1930 4 May 1934 (US)
Running time	103 mins
Country	Weimar Republic
Language	German

Alraune is a German science fiction horror film directed by Richard Oswald. Like the 1928 version this movie again features Brigitte Helm in the role of Alraune. This version aimed for greater realism but is still based upon the original German myth.

The film was produced by Richard-Oswald-Produktion and distributed by Universum Film AG (UFA) in Germany and UFA Film Company in the United States with English subtitles. The art direction was by Otto Erdmann and Hans Sohnle.

Plot

A scientist, Professor Jakob ten Brinken, interested in the laws of heredity, impregnates a prostitute in a laboratory with the semen of a hanged murderer. The prostitute conceives a female child who has no concept of love, whom the professor adopts. The girl, Alraune, suffers from obsessive sexuality and perverse relationships throughout her life. She learns of her unnatural origins and she avenges herself against the professor.

Cast

• Brigitte Helm as Alraune ten Brinken/Alma, a bar girl
• Albert Bassermann as Privy Councillor ten Brinken
• Harald Paulsen as Frank Braun
• Adolf E. Licho as Attorney-at-law Manasse
• Agnes Straub as Fuerstin Wolkonski
• Bernhard Goetzke as Dr. Petersen
• Martin Kosleck as Wolfgang Petersen
• Käthe Haack as Frau Raspe
• Ivan Koval-Samborsky as Raspe
• Liselotte Schaak as Olga Wolkonski
• Paul Westermeier as Von Walter
• Henry Bender as The innkeeper
• Elsa Bassermann as A lady
• Wilhelm Bendow

Critical reception

The New York Times described the film in 1934 as a "highly interesting production...Brigitte Helm, the versatile German actress, is the centre of the story...Her work is up to the high standard she has established in several foreign language pictures that have reached New York. Albert Bassermann, one of Germany's best veteran actors, is excellent as the scientist whose efforts to emulate the wonder-workers of the ancient days bring so much trouble upon nearly all involved in the affair, regardless of their innocence or guilt. The support is first class...Although this picture was made almost four years ago, the sound reproduction and photography are clear. The direction is competent."

See also

• Alraune (1918 film), 1918 Hungarian film
• Alraune, die Henkerstochter, genannt die rote Hanne, 1918 German film
• Alraune (1928 film), German film
• Alraune (1952 film), German film

References

• Wingrove, David, Science Fiction Film Source Book (Longman Group Limited, 1985)

External links

• Alraune at IMDb
• Template:Amg movie