Die Entlassung (English title: The Dismissal) is a 1942 German film directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner about the dismissal of Otto von Bismarck. It was one of only four films to receive the honorary distinction "Film of the Nation" ("Film der Nation") by the Reich Propaganda Ministry Censorship Office.[1]
| Die Entlassung | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Wolfgang Liebeneiner |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | See below |
| Cinematography | Fritz Arno Wagner |
| Edited by | Martha Dübber |
| Music by | Herbert Windt |
Release date |
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Running time |
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| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Language | German |
The success of the 1940 film Bismarck led to this film as a sequel.[2]
The film is also known as Bismarck's Dismissal in the United Kingdom, Schicksalswende (West German rerun title) and Wilhelm II. und Bismarck (new West German title).
Plot summary
The film shows Bismarck being dismissed by Wilhelm II of Germany and the dilettantes who surround him.[2] An unscrupulous schemer plays on the king's desire to lead and so persuades him to the dismissal.[3] This results in a disastrous two-front war by destroying Bismarck's treaty with Russia and leaving him to lament with the question of who would complete his work.[2]
Cast
- Emil Jannings as Prince Bismarck
- Margarete Schön as Princess Johanna Bismarck
- Christian Kayßler as Count Herbert Bismarck
- Theodor Loos as Kaiser Wilhelm I
- Karl Ludwig Diehl as Kaiser Friedrich III
- Hildegard Grethe as Empress Frederick
- Werner Hinz as Kaiser Wilhelm II
- Werner Krauss as Privy Councillor von Holstein
- Otto Graf as Count Eulenburg
- Paul Hoffmann as Count Waldersee
- Paul Bildt as Minister von Bötticher
- Walther Süssenguth as Tsar Alexander
- Franz Schafheitlin as Ambassador Count Schuvalov
- Herbert Hübner as General Adjutant von Hahnke
- Rudolf Blümner as Chef Of Civil Cabinet Hermann von Lucanus
- Fritz Kampers as Professor Dr. Schwenninger
- Emil Heß as Grand Duke Vladimir
- Heinrich Schroth as General von Caprivi
Release and reception
The war with Russia delayed its release, and it was not exported, owing to the obvious parallels.[2]
Motifs
Much emphasis was laid on Bismarck's notion of Greater Germany.[2] His failure was depicted as leading to the Treaty of Versailles.[3]
References
External links
- The Dismissal at IMDb
- Die Entlassung is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- Die Entlassung Full movie at Deutsche Filmothek
