NAZI PRODUCTION

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 June 1935, Page 10

NAZI PRODUCTION

YOUNG PRINCE’S TRAGEDY DOCTRINE OF EUTHLESSNT^SS The most remarkable film made in Germany under the Nazi regime is now being screened in England. This is “The Old and the Young King, ’ with Emil Jannings, too long eclipsed, making a smashing return to popularity in the role of the tyrannical old Frederiek-William 1 of Prussia. “The Old and the Young King” is almost entirely authentic, but could not have been more highly flavoured with Hitlerite propaganda if it had been pure fiction. We meet the old King—narrow, brusque, uncultured, rather stupid, reviewing his army and slaving at tlio machinery of State with the passion of a small boy playing with mechanical toys, playing practical jokes, bois-

terously enjoying himself with liis regiment of seven-footers (one in the film is actually Bft Tin) and drilling Ins family like liis Grenadiers. His son, Frederick, loves books, music anil the arts, habitually speaks French, detests tlic army and the duff routine of government. Humil.ated by his father—who is represented in the film as gruffly affectionate, but actually hated his son, if contemporary ob sorvors are to bo trusted—Frederick plans to run away to England. A gallant young officer friend, Lieutenant Katte, helps him. The King learns of the plot and proposes to execute liis son as a traitor. Instead, he has the boy’s best friend, Katte, beheaded '.before liis eyes, by way of teaching him to air predate the pleasures and duties cl statecraft. / It is a matter of history that this Improbable plan worked. Frederick submitted and, taking the lesson to heart, throws himself into the Drill*-

ant career that wins him the title of “the Great.” A powerful, flawlesslyacted story, made doubly interesting and significant by its glorification of iron military discipline and Prussian ruthlessncss. “My father murdered my best friend!” cries the embittered Prince. “A king docs not murder.” replies a courtier in effect. “The ruler’s will is law, and whoever offers resistance must he removed.”