Ferdinand Lassalle (1918)
A German historical drama from 1918 bringing the passionate life and fatal duel of socialist pioneer Ferdinand Lassalle to the silent screen.
Ferdinand Lassalle - Movie Information
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Ferdinand Lassalle - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Rudolf Meinert
Main Cast
- Erich Kaiser-Titz
- Gustav von Wangenheim
- Hanna Ralph
- Käthe Wittenberg
- Herr Braun
Writers
- Harry Scheff
- E.A. Dupont
Ferdinand Lassalle - FAQs
Who was the real Ferdinand Lassalle?
Ferdinand Lassalle was a charismatic 19th-century German socialist lawyer and political activist who founded the General German Workers' Association in 1863. He is considered one of the founding fathers of the German labor movement and died in 1864 following a duel over a romantic rivalry.
What is the 1918 film Ferdinand Lassalle about?
The film dramatizes the life of Ferdinand Lassalle, the influential 19th-century socialist leader, weaving together his passionate political convictions and his turbulent personal relationships. It culminates in the fateful duel with Janko von Rakowitza, sparked by Lassalle's love for Helene von Döniges.
Who directed Ferdinand Lassalle and who wrote it?
Rudolf Meinert directed the film, with the screenplay written by Harry Scheff and E.A. Dupont. Dupont would later become one of the most celebrated directors of the German silent era, making his writing credit here a notable early chapter in his career.
What is the historical significance of this film?
Released in September 1918, just weeks before the end of World War I and the German Revolution, the film's portrayal of a socialist hero carried unmistakable political resonance. It reflects the turbulent social climate of late Imperial Germany and stands as a rare surviving artifact of early German cinema.
Who stars in Ferdinand Lassalle (1918)?
Erich Kaiser-Titz takes the lead as Ferdinand Lassalle, supported by Gustav von Wangenheim as his rival Janko von Rakowitza, Hanna Ralph as Gräfin Hatzfeld, Käthe Wittenberg as Helene von Döniges, and Herr Braun portraying Otto von Bismarck.
Is Ferdinand Lassalle (1918) based on a true story?
Yes, the film is rooted in real history. Ferdinand Lassalle was a genuine historical figure whose life — from his founding of Germany's first major workers' party to his fatal duel in Geneva in 1864 — provides the dramatic backbone of the story, though the film takes some dramatic liberties.
What role does Otto von Bismarck play in the film?
Otto von Bismarck appears as a supporting character, portrayed by Herr Braun. Historically, Bismarck and Lassalle held a fascinating and unlikely series of secret meetings, each hoping to use the other for political advantage — a relationship the film draws upon for dramatic tension.
Are there similar films to Ferdinand Lassalle (1918)?
If you enjoy historical biographical dramas, you might also appreciate Mr. Turner (2014), Mayerling (1968), Firebrand (2024), and Emperor (2020). Each film brings a real historical figure to life against a richly detailed period backdrop, much as Ferdinand Lassalle does.
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