Luis Trenker

  • Arnold Fanck & Leni Riefenstahl – Der Heilige Berg AKA The Holy Mountain (1926)

    Germany1921-1930AdventureArnold FanckLeni RiefenstahlSilentWeimar Republic cinema

    Leni Riefenstahl made her film debut in this “mountain film” by writer/director Arnold Fanck, and went on to appear in five more under his direction. In Der Heilige Berg she plays the professional dancer Diotima who finds herself the apex of a love triangle when she is pursued by two mountain climbers, Vigo (Ernst Petersen) and his unnamed older friend (Luis Trenker). Diotima is drawn to the elder climber but can’t refrain from encouraging Vigo’s attentions as well in a spirited skiing session. She has a moment of intimacy with Vigo, and when the friend sees them together he angrily challenges Vigo to a dangerous climbing tour. During the trek he causes Vigo to fall but repents and rescues him. Both men, however, soon become lost in the mountains, and they perish before Diotima and the rescue team can reach them.Read More »

  • Luis Trenker – Der Berg ruft! AKA The Mountain Calls (1938)

    1931-1940AdventureDramaGermanyLuis TrenkerThird Reich Cinema

    Synopsis:
    The Italian mountaineer Carel wants to be the first man to stand on the top of the Matterhorn. Since the climb is very difficult, he agrees to try it together with the British mountaineer Whymper. But due to an intrigue this agreement is dropped and the two men try it on the same day with two different teams and then disaster strikes.Read More »

  • Luis Trenker – Der verlorene Sohn AKA The Prodigal Son (1934)

    1931-1940ClassicsDramaGermanyLuis TrenkerThird Reich Cinema


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    PLOT: “Mountain-film” specialist Luis Trenker plies his trade with his usual expertise in the Austrian Velorene Sohn (Prodigal Son). Trenker himself plays the leading role of Tonia Feuersinger, a Tyrolean mountaineer bound and determined to scale the American Rockies. He also wants to journey to the States to court pretty American tourist Lillian Williams (played by pretty American actress Marian Marsh). Leaving his broken-hearted local girlfriend (Maria Andergast) behind, Tonio treks to New York, but never quite makes it to the Rockies; instead, he gets a welding job on a skyscraper, then achieves success as a prizefighter. In the end, however, he realizes that his heart is still in the Tyrol and thus returns to the arms of his hometown sweetheart. Though aimed at the German-speaking clientele, Verlorene Sohn was financed in Hollywood by Universal Pictures.
    -allmovie.comRead More »

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