Bismarck (film)

Bismarck
Directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner
Produced by Heinrich Jonen (executive producer)
Willi Wiesner (executive producer)
Written by Rolf Lauckner
Wolfgang Liebeneiner
Starring See below
Music by Norbert Schultze
Cinematography Bruno Mondi
Edited by Walter von Bonhorst
Release dates
 1940
Running time
 118 minutes
Country Nazi Germany
Language German

Bismarck is a 1940 German historical film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner and starring Paul Hartmann, Friedrich Kayßler and Lil Dagover.[1]

Plot summary

The film depicts the life of the Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck, a German nationalist who withstands parliament to act for the people, a lonely genius.

The Film shows that the chance of German Unification is threatened from all corners whether it be the liberals, the crown prince Frederich (who is shown as an English puppet) or the French trying to annex the left bank of the Rhine .This historical feature film begins in 1862 with King Wilhelm I appointing Otto von Bismarck as head of the Prussian government. Since Germany was divided into 35 different political entities and transferred to various principalities, the nation is portrayed as desperately longing for national unity, the Austrian Kaiser wants this as well but is shown to be unconcerned with northern province except to assert control over the confederation. The Film starts with Wilhelm I about to abdicate due to being unable to control the parliament, which crown prince and his English wife want to install a British style, which would undermine German unity. the king's last resort is to appoint Bismarck as Prime Minister, in which his first political action of dissolving the Prussian parliament because the opposition leader Virchow refused to finance a military reform and rearmament plan.

From 1866 to 1870, Bismarck wages wars against Denmark, Austria, and France according to his main political principle, the most decisive political questions are not solved by parliamentary discussions and resolutions but by "Eisen und Blut", Iron(weaponry) and blood alone. The movie ends with the proclamation of a new German Empire in the mirror hall of Versailles 1871 united under the leadership of Prussia and armed with a strong military force to withstand its powerful and malevolent neighbours.

The wars of the era are depicted as being the handiwork of one great man; the Battle of Königgrätz is shown as solely the work of General Moltke, with no soldiers to be seen.[2]

Later on the film shows the assassination attempt on Bismarck by the film calls an "English Jew" but is stopped by the heroic Bismarck, which is unscathed by the bullets. He spent a few year in England, his motive was to preserve Germany not to destroy it. This surreptitiously is trying to show that the evil Jews trying to stop German unity twinned with the English undermining German Politics. Bismarck sees this as a sign for god that he is destined to unite Germany

Brought out in the wake of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, it depicts Bismarck as saying that the Russian alliance will safeguard the Prussians in the east.[3]

Cast

References

  1. ↑ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/25976
  2. ↑ Erwin Leiser, Nazi Cinema p106-7 ISBN 0-02-570230-0
  3. ↑ Erwin Leiser, Nazi Cinema p43 ISBN 0-02-570230-0

External links

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