Early Ophüls spins chaos: love triangles, circus girls, and cash-for-brides in 77 minutes of operatic mayhem.
Bohemia in the 19th century, stage-coach driver Hans loves the mayor's daughter Marie, but she is promised Wenzel, the son of another wealthy farmer. Marie refuses to marry Wenzel because of Hans, but the marriage arranger tries to "buy" Marie from Hans. But when Wenzel tells Hans that he doesn't want to marry Marie either because he loves circus director Brummel's daughter, Hans decides to accept the offer of money for not interfering in the relations of Hans and Marie. But when Marie hears about this, she doesn't want to see Hans again.
Direction
Ophüls' camera already glides like it owns the place.
Score
Smetana's opera repurposed with gleeful irreverence.
Director
Max Ophüls
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ophüls made this at 30, still years before his legendary Hollywood run with Letter from an Unknown Woman.
Based on Smetana's opera, this was Germany's answer to the Hollywood musical boom—operetta with extra cynicism.
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