Romanze in Moll

Though uncredited, the Maupassant story `Les bijoux' was the inspiration for this poignant drama. In late 19th century France, the wife of a bookkeeper is is blackmailed by her husband's boos after he discovers she is also the mistress of a famous composer. This beautifully made film has a sensitive delicacy that is unusual for Third Reich cinema. The cast – directed by the brilliant Helmut Käutner – is outstanding. Although Goebbles didn't like this film very much, Käutner went on and made to other brilliant melodramas before the end of the war. He directed Hans Albers in the superb colour feature `Grosse Freiheit Nr. 7' (1944) and helmed the equally brilliant `Unter den Brücken' (1945).