Johannisnacht: A Stage Diva Finds the Mountains

Should you bother?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s German dramas, maybe. If you want something fast, forget it. This one moves at the speed of a hiking trail. You’ll probably love it if you’re into the whole 'big city life is empty' trope, but if you have zero patience for high-strung actresses staring longingly at fireplaces, stay away. 🌲

Lil Dagover is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. She plays the actress who decides that being a wife is a better gig than being a star. It’s funny because she never really stops acting like a star, even when she’s just hanging out in the kitchen. She carries this intense energy that makes everyone else look like they are just standing around waiting for lunch.

The mountain scenery is actually quite nice, though. It has that crisp, black-and-white sharpness you don't really see anymore. There’s a scene where she’s walking through a meadow that felt like it went on for about ten minutes too long, but I didn't mind it that much. It felt kind of real, you know? Just walking.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Johannisnacht (1933) through its definitive frames.

The husband character is... fine. He’s the 'serious writer' type. He spends a lot of time looking worried at his desk. It reminded me a bit of the domestic tension in And Women Must Weep, but with more sweaters and fewer tears.

Some random notes:

• The lighting in the cabin is oddly bright. Like, are they hiding from the sun or looking for it?
• There is a moment near the middle where a letter arrives, and the reaction shot lasts for an eternity. I think the editor fell asleep at the desk.
• The costumes are surprisingly fancy for a mountain village. I guess you can take the girl out of the city, but not the gown.

Honestly, the movie feels a bit thin. It’s got that “we have to fill 80 minutes” vibe. Sometimes the actors are just staring at each other in total silence, and you’re waiting for a line that never comes. It’s not necessarily bad, just... quiet. Maybe too quiet.

It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s just a story about someone getting tired of the spotlight. I’ve seen this theme handled better in Peacock Feathers, where the stakes felt a bit higher. But here? It’s just pleasant. A bit stiff, maybe, but pleasant.

The ending isn't a surprise. You know she’s going to stay. You know the mountains are going to win. It doesn’t matter, though. It’s all about watching them get there, even if they take the long way around. 🏔️