The German cinema of the Thirties is definitely better than its reputation. As is often the case with tyrannies, movies were produced for distraction and entertainment. "Die englische Heirat" belongs to these escapist movies. Although slightly out-dated today, it possesses a certain charm one can hardly resist. The cast seems to have enjoyed the comedy that mocks at peculiar English behaviour.
3 Reviews
Good, harmless entertainment
Philipp_Flersheim18 May 2023
'Die englische Heirat' straddles the line between comedy and drama, and does so very well. Renate Müller plays Gerte Winter, an amazingly emancipated mechanic and driving instructor who has built her own car (a machine that looks more like a rocket on wheels) out of parts cannibalised from older models. She falls for her English student driver Douglas Mavis (Georg Alexander) and accepts his proposal. The problem is his snobby grandmother lady Mavis (Adele Sandrock) back in Britain, who has other plans for her grandson. When Douglas (whom the others call something sounding like 'Döck') proves too much of a coward to tell the old lady of his marriage, complications ensue. Acting is good, with Müller, Sandrock and Anton Walbrook, who plays the family lawyer of the Mavisses, standing out. The plot offers a few interesting turns and funny moments and moves fast - there are no dull moments whatever. 'Die englische Heirat' was of course filmed in Nazi-Germany, but the regime is nowhere in evidence. In fact, Gerte's role as a female mechanic could be read as implicit criticism of the Nazi-government, which had just enacted a law that penalised female participation in the labour market (the aim was freeing up jobs for men and reducing unemployment, with women who lost their work because of this law being expected not to register as unemployed). To some extent, the film does make fun of the British aristocracy, though the Mavis household will remind you a bit of Downton Abbey. All in all it is good, harmless entertainment, very watchable even after almost nine decades.
Very funny German Comedy made at the end of the Weihmar
cynthiahost30 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This movie made fun of the British,but,it wasn't anti British .The Nazis were on the rise.The destruction was beginning.It was direct by Reinhold Schunzel,soon to fell Germany,It stared Anton Walbrook,who would also flee and changed his original name Adolp Wholbruk, may be out of fear that this mustache might remind every one of Hitler besides having the same first name.The main female star Renate Muller despised the Nazis.The party scene for instant,in celebration of Lady Mavis 75th birthday,or shall we say 99th birthday?,portrayed by Adel Sandrock, some of the younger female guest hair is styled with back long curls tied with a bow.This was the style back in 1916 for young teenage girls,by 1934 that was out of style.Well this was a part of the way to make fun of Britain as a joke.High pitched voice actor George Alexander,why didn't the acting teacher told him to speak in deep tones?plays Douglas Mavis .His character gets so excited when he with a girl he proposes to her.This is what happens against Driving instructor Gerte.He proposes to her and promise her too take her to meet his Granny,Gross ma ma,but, after they get a wedding license he then tells her that he can't take her with him until he tells his Grandma first.When he does he will send her a message to come.But the problem he does not.She get too impatient that those decide to go to England and confront him.This is when she meet on ship Douglas friend and family lawyer Warwick Brent,played by Anton.It isn't until Anton sees Renate again going to the house that he realizes that she is now Lady Mavis.But Douglas still hasn't told his Granny yet.A young Hans Richter,playing younger brother Tuck has already tried to tell Granny at the party ,but, this mislead her to think that Doug has gotten engaged to Roberta Buckley,played by Ette Klingenberg.This foul things up for Doug.It when Tuck tries to explain to Granny,or Grossy,that Doug has gotten married to A German Women.She still can't believe it.Well Gerte decide to leave Britain and get an annulment.It isn't until Gerte meets Grossie,through a car accident,that both start knowing each other without Gerte revealing herself yet.Brent is surprised that she has come back,but , realizes she pretending.It only get worse when Doug goes to a night club and Meets Hilde Hilde brand and proposes to her to.Eventually he get his comeuppance When Renate reveals to Hilda and Sir Robert Buckley ,played by Julius Hermann,Lady Buckley,played by Gertrud Wolle and their daughter Roberta ,that he was already married to Her,Gerte.Gerte confesses to Grossy who she really is and Grossy start to under stand.This eventually straightened out the situation between Gerte and Brent Hilde sings Lied Liebe Ist Ein Geheimnist.Renate also sings a song too as she fixes her car.Excellent German film classic,right before things would get worse for Renate.05/30/13
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