Watching Propaganda: Das alte Recht is a tough, weird slog

If you're looking for a breezy Friday night watch, keep walking. This is definitely not for you. If you are a film historian or just someone obsessed with the weird, ugly corners of 1930s cinema, maybe? Otherwise, expect to be bored out of your mind.

The whole thing feels like it’s being held together by pure, unadulterated grimness. You can tell they really wanted you to care about this law, the Erbhofgesetz. It’s all about the farm, the land, and the oldest son being the only one who matters. It’s a very specific, very narrow way to look at human lives.

The pacing is… well, it’s glacial. Fritz Hoopts looks like he’s carrying the weight of the entire Third Reich on his shoulders in every single frame. There’s no joy here. Just a lot of staring at dirt and talking about bloodlines.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Das alte Recht (1934) through its definitive frames.

I couldn't help but think about how different this is from something like The Ridin' Streak. At least there, the characters feel like they breathe. Here, they just recite talking points. It’s almost impressive how they managed to make farming look this joyless.

There is this one scene where they discuss the inheritance, and the camera just lingers on a wooden table for what feels like five minutes. Why? Maybe to make us feel the 'weight' of tradition? It just made me want to check my watch. Or maybe go make a sandwich.

The performances are stiff as boards. Nobody seems to be having a good time. I suppose that was the point, but it makes for a rough viewing experience. Bernhard Goetzke does his best, but he’s fighting a script that’s about as flexible as a brick.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Das alte Recht (1934) through its definitive frames.

It reminds me a bit of the suffocating tone in Le Cirque de la Mort, though at least that one has a bit of visual flair to keep you awake. This film? It’s just brown fields and grey faces. 🌾

I spent half the time wondering why they bothered with the drama at all. Just read the law aloud and save everyone the two hours. But I guess that’s what propaganda does. It tries to sneak the message in through the back door of 'storytelling.'

Don't look for nuance here. It isn't hiding. It’s right there, shouting at you from the screen. If you watch this, do it with the lights on. Maybe have a cat nearby to remind you that life exists outside of 1930s German farming policies.