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7.3/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.3/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Skandal um Eva remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so 'Skandal um Eva' – you might blink and miss it scrolling through old film archives. But honestly, if you've got a soft spot for gentle, character-driven stories from the silent (or very early sound, it’s a bit blurry on that front for me) era, it's worth a look. Think of it as a cozy, slightly melancholic Sunday afternoon watch. Folks who need explosions or rapid-fire dialogue? Yeah, you’ll probably be checking your watch every five minutes. 😴
The whole thing kicks off with Eva, played by Henny Porten, who’s just about to marry this fellow, Robert. Seems like a perfectly respectable match, you know? But then, BAM. She finds out he’s got a kid. A four-year-old son. Just… out there, living with foster parents.
Now, this is where the 'scandal' part comes in. Back then, a fiancé with a secret child? Oh boy. Instead of pitching a fit, Eva decides to handle it in her own way. She invents this whole story about needing a health cure and packs her bags. But instead of a spa, she heads straight to the small town where the boy, Peter, lives. Pretty clever, actually.
The film really settles into a rhythm once Eva arrives at the foster home. These foster parents, they’re simple, good people. They’ve raised Peter like their own. You see Eva watching the boy from a distance at first. A little hesitant, a lot curious. Her face, especially in those close-ups, tells you everything. You can almost feel her trying to figure out how to even begin.
There's this one scene where Peter is playing in the garden, and Eva just observes him. It goes on a bit. Not too long, but long enough for you to really feel her uncertainty. She’s studying him, trying to see *her* Robert in him, I guess. It’s quiet, and it works.
When she finally starts interacting with him, it's all very understated. She gives him little gifts, plays with him. It feels genuine, not forced. The movie does a good job of showing how a bond can form, even under these really awkward circumstances. The kid, he’s pretty natural. Doesn't overact. That's always a plus with child actors, especially in older films.
Her conversations with the foster mother, played by Käthe Haack, are actually quite revealing. It’s not just polite chatter. You get a sense of the foster mother's quiet dignity, her love for Peter. Eva’s trying to navigate this without giving away her whole deal, and you can see the wheels turning in her head. It’s a delicate dance.
The pacing is… well, it’s deliberate. It’s not a movie in a hurry. You sometimes find yourself wishing it would pick up the pace a tiny bit. But then you remember it’s from a different time. Things just moved slower then, on screen and off. It’s not a flaw, really, just how it is.
I found myself wondering about Robert, the fiancé. He’s almost a background character in his own scandal. Eva’s story is clearly the focus. You don't get a huge amount of his perspective, which is interesting. It makes Eva’s journey feel even more personal, you know? Like *she* is the one driving the story, fixing things.
Some of the camera work is pretty standard for the time. Steady shots, not a lot of fancy movement. But every now and then, there’s a nice composition, or a close-up that really draws you into someone’s face. Henny Porten, she really carries it. She has this way of conveying so much with just a look. 👁️
The whole idea of a 'scandal' and how society reacts to it is pretty central, even if it's handled gently. It makes you think about what was considered a big deal back then versus now. A secret child, scandalous! Now, it's probably just a plot point in a sitcom.
Is it a masterpiece? Nah, probably not. But it’s a **solid, heartfelt drama** that explores human connection in a quiet way. It’s a nice peek into early German cinema and a reminder that good storytelling doesn't always need a huge budget or flashy effects. It just needs characters you care about. If you're into that, give it a shot. If not, no worries. There are plenty of other old films out there.
IMDb —
1918
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