• Source: Koenigsmark (1935 film)

Koenigsmark is a 1935 British-French drama film directed by Maurice Tourneur and starring Elissa Landi, John Lodge and Pierre Fresnay.
The film is based on the novel Koenigsmark by Pierre Benoît and produced in separate French and English-language versions. It was shot at the Joinville Studios in Paris, with sets designed by the art director Lucien Aguettand. The film was known in the United States as Crimson Dynasty.




Plot


Aurore, a Russian-born princess living in Paris has an arranged marriage to Grand Duke Rodolphe of a small German principality, part of the wider German Empire. Although she doesn't love her husband, she is very fond of him. When he departs to take part in an intelligence operation in Africa on the orders of the Kaiser, his wife gives him a locket as a memento of her. In his absence, the Princess battles for control of the state with her brother-in-law Frederick, particularly when news arrives from Africa that Grand Duke Rodolphe has died of disease.
A young Frenchman Raoul Vignerte is hired to act as the tutor for Frederick's young son. He gradually strikes up a friendship with the widowed Princess. Vignerte is working on research into the tragic historical romance between Sophia Dorothea and Philip Christoph von Königsmarck. While investigating he discovers a secret passage in the castle and finds a skeleton hidden there, holding the locket. It becomes clear that Frederick had his brother Rodolphe murdered before he even left the castle and the story of his dying in Africa has been faked. Discovering that his plan has been uncovered, Frederick starts a fire that destroys much of the evidence.
As the outbreak of the First World War approaches, the Princess drives Raoul to safety from arrests across the border, and then returns to confront Frederick. Faced with exposure he shoots himself, at which point the Princess abdicates, not wishing to take part in the war against Russia or France.




Cast


Pierre Fresnay as Raoul Vignerte
Elissa Landi as Princess Aurore
John Lodge as Grand Duke Frederick
Antonin Artaud as Cyrus Back
Frank Vosper as Maj. Baron de Boise
Jean-Max as Le commandant de Boose
Allan Jeayes as Grand Duke Rodolphe
Romilly Lunge as Lt de Hagen
Jean Yonnel as Le grand-duc Rodolphe
Jean Debucourt as Le lieutenant de Hagen
Marcelle Rogez as Comtesse Mélusine
Georges Prieur as Le prince Tumène
André Dubosc as Le roi
Roger Puylagarde as Monsieur de Marçais
Clary Monthal
Jacques Henley
Maurice Devienne
Léon Courtois
André Lannes
Cecil Humphreys as De Marçaise
Hay Petrie as Professor
H.G. Stoker




See also


Koenigsmark (1923)
Koenigsmark (1953)




References






Bibliography


Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.




External links


Koenigsmark at IMDb
Koenigsmark at BFI Database

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Jean Debucourt
• Koenigsmark (1935 film)
• Koenigsmark
• List of British films of 1935
• Pierre Benoit (novelist)
• Koenigsmark (novel)
• List of French films of 1935
• John Davis Lodge
• List of films: J–K
• Jean-Max
• Albert Duvaleix