The Ruler
Directed by: Veit Harlan
Written by: Curt J. Braun, Thea von Harbou and Harald Bratt
Based on: The Ruler by Gerhart Hauptmann
Produced by: Karl Julius Fritzsche
Cinematography: Günther Anders and Werner Brandes
Edited by: Martha Dübber
Music by: Wolfgang Zeller
Production company: Tobis Film
Distributed by: Tobis Film
Release date: 17 March 1937
Running time: 103 minutes
Country: Germany
Language: German
Starring:
Emil Jannings: Matthias Clausen
Paul Wagner: Professor Wolfgang Clausen - his son
Hannes Stelzer: Egert - his youngest son
Hilde Körber: Bettina - his daughter
Käthe Haack: Ottilie Klamroth - his married daughter
Herbert Hübner: Direktor Erich Klamroth - her husband
Maria Koppenhöfer: Paula Clausen - born von Rübsamen
Marianne Hoppe: Inken Peters
Helene Fehdmer: Mrs. Peters
Max Gülstorff: Medical Doctor Geiger
Harald Paulsen: Judicial Council Hanefeld
Theodor Loos: Pastor Immoos
Rudolf Klein-Rogge: Director Bodlfing
Paul Bildt: Diener Winter
Walter Werner: Private Secretary Dr. Wuttke
Heinrich Schroth: Director Hofer
Hans Stiebner: Director Weißfisch
Peter Elsholtz: Engineer Dr. Ehrhardt
Heinz Wemper: Foreman
Ursula Kurtz:
Miss Biel
The Ruler (German: Der Herrscher) is a 1937 German drama film directed by Veit Harlan. It was adapted from the play of the same name by Gerhart Hauptmann. The film’s sets were designed by the art director Robert Herlth. Location shooting took place around Oberhausen and Pompeii near Naples. It premiered at the Ufa-Palast am Zoo in Berlin.
Plot
Matthias Clausen (Emil Jannings) is the head of Clausen Works, an old and prosperous munitions firm. He falls in love with a secretary in the office (Marianne Hoppe), and his children conspire against him in order to protect their inheritance. Clausen disowns them and bestows the firm on the state, confident that one of his workers capable of carrying on his work will arise.
