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Back to Conrad Veidt Mainpage Reviews
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Anders als die Andern (Different from the Others)
(Germany, Richard Oswald, 1919)
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Production Company: Richard Oswald-Film GmbH, Berlin
Country: Germany
Producer: Richard Oswald/Dr Magnus Hirschfeld
Director: Richard Oswald
Scenario: Richard Oswald/Dr Magnus Hirschfeld
Restored DVD package by Kino
CAST
Conrad Veidt as Paul Korner
Reinhold Schunzel as Franz Bollek
Fritz Schulz as Kurt Sivers
Karl Giese as Paul as a youth
Dr Magnus Hirschfeld as himself
SYNOPSIS
Paul Korner (Conrad Veidt), a talented and popular violin virtuouso, falls in love with his young protégé, Kurt Sivers (Fritz Schulz). Unfortunately, Korner is being blackmailed by Franz Bollek (Reinhold Schunzel) who puts more pressure on him in light of his new romance. Bollek knows that Korner will pay, because if he doesn’t, Bollek will reveal Korner’s homosexuality which, in German law under Sub-Section 175, is illegal. This also prevents Korner from reporting the blackmailer to the authorities.
Korner is angered by the increased demands and refuses to pay. Bollek responds by breaking into Korner’s house where he is discovered by Sivers and a fight ensues. Korner joins in and throws Bollek out – but not before Bollek infers that Sivers’ is being ‘paid’ by Korner. Sivers’ is disgusted and rejects the heartbroken Korner. Despondent, Korner thinks back and looks at the effect of homosexuality on his life – he was expelled from boarding school, mocked at University and even sought a ‘cure’ from a hypnotist! He only came to terms with his sexual orientation after visiting well-known Sexologist Dr Hirschfeld. He recalls a visit to a gay club and taking a young man back to his house – Franz Bollek – who spurned his physical affection and began to demand money!
Korner and Bollek wind up in court, both sitting in the dock – Bollek is given a prison sentence which shakes him a little but he remains outwardly smug. As for Korner, despite a glowing character reference from Dr. Hirschfeld and sympathy from the court, the law has to be applied. Korner is also given a prison sentence and he collapses in the dock. Bollek smiles as he has won – Korner is destroyed. Before embarking on his prison sentence, Korner returns home – shunned by people on the street, he learns that his musical contract has been cancelled. His father is outraged and informs him that “…a man of honour would know what to do.” Korner knows what to do – he takes poison and dies. Sivers is inconsolable and wishes to die as well, but Dr Hirschfeld counsels him and informs that he should live to see the end of such injustice.
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Review
Rating 5/5
Lois
September 2005
Lois
September 2005
Lois
September 2005
Ilsa
September 2005
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