Tiefland (1954)

Set in early 20th century Germany and Spain a melodrama about a dancer who becomes the romantic bone of contention between a humble shepherd and an imperious marquis. A gypsy dancer played by Leni Reifenstahl herself. 12 years in the making. The filming of "Tiefland" took place with long breaks between 1940 and the end of the war. In 1953 the French confiscated the material. The sound recording and the film editing could not take place until then. "Tiefland" was Leni Riefenstahl's last feature film.DVD Features:Chapter Selections original German version with English subtitles Essay by Leni Riefenstahl-specialist Luc Deneulin PhD. Still Gallery.System Requirements:Run Time: 94 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 825307916591 Manufacturer No: PH-91659 Product Description

Beautiful, yet not her best

Based on the 1896 Catalan play and the 1903 German opera, Leni Reifenstahl brings the story of love, lust and class warfare in Spain (actually Catalonia) to the silver screen. Although the film bears all the lush and romantic trademarks of Riefenstahl's directorial style, and I could never tire of_seeing_a Leni Riefenstahl film, the story of "Tiefland" just didn't reach me on the deeper emotional level that "The Blue Light" or even "Triumph of the Will" did. Although beautifully filmed, and impressive in its individual parts, for me the story did not cohere into a satisfying whole. Still, it's well worth watching. September 28, 2007

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