Rosen blühen auf dem Heidegrab

'Roses Bloom on the Meadow-Grave' belongs in the subgroup of movies known as 'Heimatfilm', a film genre unique to the German-speaking world. 'Heimat' is the German word for 'country' or 'homeland'. Heimatfilmen take place largely outdoors, emphasising the countryside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There is usually a young heroine who somehow embodies the spirit of the land. Nature is celebrated, specifically Germanic nature. But the typical Heimatfilm is celebratory in nature, and celebratory *of* nature. 'Meadow-Grave' is extremely unusual, in that it's a dark, morbid Heimatfilm with a Gothic atmosphere.

Dorothee is a peasant girl, daughter of farmers Wilhelm and Friederike. They can barely stake out a living on their small tract in the Lüneburg Moor. Her parents arrange Dorothee's betrothal to Dietrich Eschmann, a wealthy old lecher. But Dorothee is in love with her childhood companion Ludwig, who has now become a successful architect in the big city. Eventually, Eschmann threatens her. Dorothee lures him out to a lonely spot on the moors. In order to save herself from Eschmann's clutches, Dorothee may have to die on the moors. Has she any hope of happiness?

This film is pervaded by a strong sense of Germanic doom, of destiny being more powerful than human desires. None of this is unusual for German subject matter, but it's very unusual indeed within the Heimatfilm structure. This movie's photography is stark, moody and distinctive. Most of the leading actors give excellent performances, and the ending is impressive. I'll rate this movie 8 out of 10.