The Ancestress Austrian silent film from 1919
The Viennese Kunstfilm-lndustrie presents the charming Liane Hain in:
The Ancestress
based on the play by Franz Grillparzer
Tragedy in six acts
Cast
Count Zdenko of Borodin
Berta, his Daughter The Ancestress of the House of Borotin
Jaromir
Boleslav, a bandit
Act One
The next morning
My cousin suddenly died last night.
Now l am the last survivor of our house, which will perish after me.
Act Two
The last days of my existence shall be devoted to your happiness.
Choose your husband freely from all sons of this country.
This summer night, as l went farther than ever before, l was ambushed in the forest.
By chance l found him again. Soon, it will not be chance anymore.
Noble be his dynasty, noble his deed Bring him to me, l want to meet him.
Away from me!
Away!
Do you want to kill your father?
What was that? Was this a dream? Berta! Berta!
Tell me, what's the matter, girl, that you frighten a life weary sleeper as if you were a nocturnal ghost?
l just came from the balcony When you fell asleep...
...l went out longingly to wait for my dearest!
Woe is me, the ancestress!
The ancestress of this house. Named Berta just like you.
Beautiful and charming, just like you, forced by her parents into a hated marriage
ln her lover's arms, she was killed by her husband, who stabbed her in the heart.
She has to wander restlessly until this house has perished.
Whenever doom is imminent, she appears. And you can hear her lament.
Lamenting her powerlessness, as she can foresee but not prevent.
Act Three
l come from the woods, where l was ambushed by bandits.
l shall inform the count.
Whatever this house can offer, it shall be at your service.
lt's him who saved me. He is the noble man.
Tell me your rank and name.
My noble guest, go to sleep, may an angel guard you.
Did all hell break loose?
Listen, those words, she prays. Prays for me!
There you are, beloved. Don't send me away so coldly. Berta, my Berta.
Here and there, there and here. lt's her everywhere and nowhere!
Feel me, feel me, it's me.
And at the light of dawn a face appeared with well known features, yes, your face.
Are you already considered family? Escape my son, while there still is time.
Whatever may happen, l will be on your side.
lf necessary l will perish with you.
Act Four
Forgive my intrusion. Suspicious folk was sighted near your castle.
Members of the gang of bandits, the scourge of this neighborhood.
My son in law, who was ambushed this night as well.
Many have been hanged already and l will get the rest too.
Do you want to tarnish the soul of this fair maiden with your hate?
You are strong, help us to fight them. Take this sword.
Never. Don't count on me. l'm not much good as a bloodhound.
The incident last night has shattered his constitution. He barely is himself anymore.
Stop, captain. l know my duty as well you know yours.
l will fight on your side!
My sword will prove that Count Borotin is no accomplice to the bandits.
What was that? A shot!
Where were you? And how did you get wounded?
l heared the shot from my chamber. As l knew your father was outside,
l wanted to help, ran down and was shot. To proceed seemed dangerous,
so l returned.
We almost caught the leader of the bandits. l shot him in the arm, we fought,
and he escaped, but he left this piece of cloth.
Act Five
Bandit!
Yes, l am the one they are searching for. l am the cursed bandid Jaromir.
My Berta, don't be sterner than God. Don't reject me, you lovely.
lf you don't escape with me, l shall stay.
Here they shall bind me, chain me, then you will see my bones rot.
Escape with me. At 12 o'clock l will wait at the crypt.
But one more thing, child - get me weapons.
Don't be afraid. Your vow gave my life new meaning.
lt wouldn't take weapons to take me to freedom. This bottle would be enough.
lf it puts your mind at rest, take it.
lsn't this a dagger?
Don't take it, it's cursed.
Farewell my child, the future is bright and don't forget midnight.
This underground corridor leads to the dungeons of my castle.
They brought one of the bandits, sir. He wants to talk to you.
He says, it is important for him and for you.
20 years ago l passed the castle, when l saw a handsome boy at the lake.
l made him follow me into the dark forest.
Act Six
The others wanted to kill him, but l took pity on him.
So your son became mine. He forgot you and honored me as his father.
And l thought he had drowned, because his hat floated on the lake.
God, my son is alive. Bring him to me, even though he is a bandid, l thank you.
He is here, he is the stranger that found shelter here.
Jaromir, my brother!
Tumble, you pillars of earth, the son has killed his father.
l am not your son?
Look at this ground, you walk on your ancestors' heritage, you are a Count Borodin.
Light at the chapel? l want to see, see, see, even if l should perish.
All sins will be forgiven, but not patricide.
Berta, Berta, escape with me.
l am not your Berta.
lllusion from hell, You are not my Berta. Everything in vain, l will not let you.
This is Berta's face and there is my place!
Part in peace, you peaceless.
The end