Opfergang (1944)

The Great Sacrifice

 

 

 

Directed by: Veit Harlan

Written by: Rudolf G. Binding (novel)

Alfred Braun           

Veit Harlan  

Hans Radtke

 

Starring:
 

Kristina Söderbaum: Äls Flodéen

Irene von Meyendorff: Octavia Froben

Carl Raddatz: Albrecht Froben

Franz Schafheitlin: Mathias

Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur: Sanitätsrat Dr. Terboven

Otto Treßler: Senator Froben, Octavia’s father

Annemarie Steinsieck: Frau Froben, Octavia’s mother

Frida Richard: Frau Steinkamp, who cares for Äls’ child

Ludwig Schmitz: carnival speaker

Edgar Pauly: the servant of the Frobens

Charlotte Schultz: Äls’ nurse

Paul Bildt: the notary for testament

 

Opfergang (English: The Great Sacrifice or Rite of Sacrifice) is a 1944 German film directed by Veit Harlan. It is based on Rudolf G. Binding’s work of the same title.

 

Plot

 

Albrecht Froben, though married to Octavia, falls in love with his neighbor, Äls Flodéen. She, however, is slowly dying from a debilitating disease. During an epidemic, Albrecht goes to bring her daughter to safety but he catches typhoid and is quarantined in hospital. Octavia, realising the love match, and hearing that Als is now bedridden and dying, dresses up as him and rides by her gates every day to keep her spirits up - her bed is next to the window. Albrecht returns. Äls has a dream in which she talks to her projection of Albrecht and concludes that she does not wish to take part in this union and accepts death. Albrecht is reconciled with his wife.