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The Immortal Heart

Original title: Das unsterbliche Herz
  • 1939
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
96
YOUR RATING
Peter Pewas in The Immortal Heart (1939)
DramaHistory

Biography of Paul Henlein, the man who invented the pocket watch.Biography of Paul Henlein, the man who invented the pocket watch.Biography of Paul Henlein, the man who invented the pocket watch.

  • Director
    • Veit Harlan
  • Writers
    • Richard Billinger
    • Werner Eplinius
    • Veit Harlan
  • Stars
    • Heinrich George
    • Kristina Söderbaum
    • Paul Wegener
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    96
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Veit Harlan
    • Writers
      • Richard Billinger
      • Werner Eplinius
      • Veit Harlan
    • Stars
      • Heinrich George
      • Kristina Söderbaum
      • Paul Wegener
    • 2User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast21

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    Heinrich George
    Heinrich George
    • Peter Henlein
    Kristina Söderbaum
    Kristina Söderbaum
    • Ev
    Paul Wegener
    Paul Wegener
    • Dr. Schedel
    Raimund Schelcher
    • Konrad Windhalm
    Michael Bohnen
    Michael Bohnen
    • Martin Behaim
    Paul Henckels
    Paul Henckels
    • Güldenbeck
    Ernst Legal
    • Bader Bratvogel
    Eduard von Winterstein
    Eduard von Winterstein
    • Richter Sixtus Heith
    Franz Schafheitlin
    • Burghauptmann Zinderl
    Jakob Tiedtke
    Jakob Tiedtke
    • Schöffe Weihrauch
    Wolf Dietrich
    • Graf Pankraz
    Auguste Prasch-Grevenberg
    • Barbara Henlein
    Josef Dahmen
    Josef Dahmen
    • Matrose
    Hans Quest
    Hans Quest
    • Henner
    Bernhard Minetti
    Bernhard Minetti
    • Martin Luther
    Fred Köster
    • Kaiser Maximilian von Hapsburg
    Heinz Dugall
    • Fischerjunge
    Klaus Detlef Sierck
    • Junge bei der Beerdigung
    • Director
      • Veit Harlan
    • Writers
      • Richard Billinger
      • Werner Eplinius
      • Veit Harlan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    5.896
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    Featured reviews

    7brogmiller

    Time stops for no man.

    The demonisation of director Veit Harlan resulting from his notorious film 'Jud Suss' has been well documented. A year earlier he made 'The Immortal Heart' which although not one of his greatest has touches of the master film-maker that he undoubdtedly was. It is a biopic covering the final years in the life of Peter Henlein, inventor of the world's first pocket watch and based upon the play 'The Nuremburg Egg' by Veit's father Walter. Henlein is played by one of the greatest actors of all time, Heinrich George and playing his wife Ev is Kristina Soederbaum both of whom were to appear in 'Jud Suss'. Ev is much younger than Peter and one cannot help but sympathise with her as she lies in bed each night hoping for some 'tender loving care' whilst he is downstairs slaving over his invention. Bearing in mind that he has a wonky heart it is likely that had he fulfilled his marital duties he would not have lived long enough to invent the watch! Unsurprisingly they part but are reunited just before he expires. Their scenes together are excellent as his single mindedness is in contrast to her strong emotions. Ironically Kristina plays the inventor's third wife whilst also being the third wife of the director! Excellent support also from Paul Wegener as Henlein's doctor. There is a great sense of time and place here as we really feel we are in 16th Century Nuremburg. Despite an indifferent print one can still appreciate Bruno Mondi's work as lighting cameraman. One of the most striking features is the inspired use of the music of J. S. Bach especially in the opening and closing sequences. Far from being a classic this piece has a great deal to recommend it and like all of Harlan's films, including 'Jud Suss'(!) is worthy of consideration.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Based on a play by Walter Harlan, the father of Veit Harlan, who directed this movie.
    • Goofs
      The speech Martin Luther is holding was never spoken by him as Luther didn't make a speech after putting on the 95 theses in Wittenberg. The speech is a combination of several writings of Luther from the "Weimar edition, volume 54" which was released from 1883. Furthermore it contains additional lines that suppose to create more nationalistic feeling.
    • Soundtracks
      Toccata und Fuge d-Moll (BWV 565)
      (uncredited)

      written by Johann Sebastian Bach

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 20, 1939 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Germany
    • Language
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Det odödliga hjärtat
    • Filming locations
      • Binz, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany
    • Production company
      • Tobis Filmkunst
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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