Feind im Blut: Watching a 1931 PSA About STIs

Is it worth the watch?

Honestly, you probably don't need to watch Feind im Blut unless you have a strange obsession with early 20th-century hygiene propaganda. It is very much a “product of its time” kind of movie. If you like historical artifacts, go for it. If you want a fun Friday night flick, look elsewhere.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Feind im Blut (1931) through its definitive frames.

The film is essentially three interconnected warnings. It wants to tell you that syphilis is lurking everywhere, waiting for the slightest moment of moral weakness. It’s heavy-handed in a way that’s almost charming, if you ignore the actual fear-mongering involved.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Feind im Blut (1931) through its definitive frames.

The Vibe

It’s got that gritty, stark look that reminds me of early German social dramas like La segretaria privata, but with way more lectures on blood work. The acting is incredibly stiff. You can practically hear the actors thinking about their next line.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Feind im Blut (1931) through its definitive frames.

There is this one scene involving a doctor’s office that drags on for what feels like an hour. He’s pointing at charts with such intensity that I started worrying about my own health just by looking at the screen. The framing is so tight on his face you can see every bead of sweat.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Feind im Blut (1931) through its definitive frames.

• The medical terminology is hilariously outdated.
• The background extras in the street scenes look like they have no idea they are in a movie about infection.
• The pacing is weirdly stop-and-start.

I couldn't help but compare the tone to something like The Wrecker, though they are completely different animals. One is trying to entertain, while this one is trying to act like your stern school principal. It doesn't quite work as a story, but it works as a time capsule.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Feind im Blut (1931) through its definitive frames.

There’s a strange, cold detachment to how the characters are treated. They aren't really people; they are just cautionary tales on legs. You don't feel bad for them because the movie won't let you. It’s too busy trying to keep you from holding hands with the wrong person.

I’m still not sure if Walter Ruttmann intended for this to be so haunting, or if it just happened that way because of the low budget and the sheer desperation of the message. Either way, it’s a weird, lumpy, and slightly unsettling watch. 💉