In the 1800s, a stormy love relationship develops quickly between a young medical student and a woman believing herself to be the daughter of his scientist uncle, the student having never heard of her before their chance encounter and both unaware that she is the result of the scientist's illegal experiments with artificial insemination..
Acting
Hildegard Knef's ice-queen detachment — she IS the uncanny valley.
Production
Erich von Stroheim's final German role, gloriously hammy as mad scientist.
Director
Arthur Maria Rabenalt
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Hanns Heinz Ewers' 1911 novel, already filmed three times — this 1952 version was West Germany's attempt to reclaim the story from its Nazi-era adaptations.
The mandrake root legend — screaming when pulled from earth, bringing death to harvester — directly inspires Alraune's origin and supposed fatal influence on lovers.
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