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Opium (Germany, Robert Reinert, 1919)
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Production Company: Monumental-Filmwerk GmbH, Berlin
Country: Germany
Producer: Robert Reinert
Director: Robert Reinert
Scenario: Robert Reinert
CAST
Eduard von Winterstein as Professor Gessellus
Hanna Ralph as Maria, his wife
Werner Krauss as Nung-Tschang
Sybill Morel as Sin/Magdalena
Conrad Veidt as Richard Armstrong
Friedrich Kuhne as Dr. Armstrong
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SYNOPSIS
A long convoluted story involving saintly doctor Gesellius (Eduard von Winterstein) searching for a way to tap into the pleasure of opium smoking without the horrendous side effects. Nung-Tschang (Werner Krauss) is the evil Chinese opium dealer with a new, more addictive opium, which gives better hallucinations (naked nymphs and flowers floating down the river.) He also has a grudge as a European Doctor seduced his wife and which resulted in the birth of a daughter, Sin (Sybill Morel). The European Doctor is none other than Gesellius’s friend, Doctor Armstrong (Friedrich Kuhne), who has been missing for 17 years. Gesellius returns home to his wife, Maria (Hanna Ralph), and daughter but he also brings Sin whom he has renamed Magdalena. The missing doctor Armstrong also has a son, Richard Armstrong (Conrad Veidt) who works at Gesellius’s Sanatorium and has been having an affair with Gesellius’s neglected wife.
The missing doctor Armstrong returns, an opium addict thanks to Nung-Tschang, who now requires the services of the Sanitorium but doesn’t want his son to know his identity. Guilt-ridden Richard becomes despondent and unsuccessfully attempts to kill himself. Laid up in hospital, Richard secrets a suicide note in the dress of Maria’s daughter. Gesellius discovers the affair and turns to opium – generously supplied by Nung-Tschang who has followed him home. Whilst hallucinating killing Richard himself, Richard succeeds in committing suicide. Maria believes that Gesellius has murdered her lover so he and Magdalena flee to India, followed by Nung-Tschang and his supply of opium. When they return, Dr Armstrong is recovered and head of the Sanitorium and he also believes that Gesellius murdered Richard, but Magdalena – who loves Gesellius – confesses that she did it! She arrested and convicted whilst Dr Armstrong cares for the addicted Gesellius. Nung-Tschang appears and gloats that he has got his revenge on Armstrong – his son is dead and his daughter is in prison!
Nung-Tschang attempts to spring Magdalena from gaol, but is shot. Gesellius discovers Richard’s suicide note – informs Maria and the police and Magdalena is released. Gesellius has one last opium dream, where all his loved ones are present and expires.
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Reviews
Rating 1/5
Lois
July 2005
Including Conrad Veidt
Ilsa
July 2005
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